Pencil thin stools

Question 1

How wide is a normal stool? are stools that are 1-2 cm wide normal, or are they considered pencil-thin stools?

Answer

I do not know of any pencils that are 1-2 cm wide - well maybe a carpenter’s pencil. Pencil thin stools would be as thin as a common lead pencil. If ... Read More

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Learn how we can help

Question 2

What causes occasional pencil thin stools, often the first stool in a bm is normal diameter, but everything else is increasingly thinner? concerning?

Answer

Might: Most likely for a person who is 19 year old and has no other sign or symptoms i would not be worried. Irritable bowel syndrome which is very common c... Read More

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Learn how we can help

Answer

If you were: Older i would say there would be a concern for colon cancer. At your age, without a strong family hx of familial polyposis, this is not a concern. W... Read More

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Learn how we can help

Question 3

If pencil thin stools are caused from an obstruction, why wouldn't a c t scan show this. the e r dr told me it would show any obstructions. confused. ?

Answer

CT should show: If the bowel is obstructed, ct scan should be able to demonstrate the features of bowel obstruction such as enlarged loops of bowel above the blocked ... Read More

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Learn how we can help

Answer

Barium enema: Ct may not show a stricture ( narrowing that leads to pencil thin stool). Barium enema may show better than ct.

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Learn how we can help

Answer

Constipation : You probably suffer from constipation, rather than obstruction. Indeed, an abdominal ct scan with oral contrast would show the bowel obstruction.

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Learn how we can help

Question 4

If somone has pencil thin stools due to colon tumor would obstruction relieve itself so that stool becomes thicker some other days?

Answer

Not likely: In an untreated patient with colon cancer the partial obstruction would not relieve itself. The stools would become progressively thinner until the pa... Read More

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Learn how we can help

Question 5

I have pencil thin stools pain on my left side confirmed diverticulosis but i'm told everything is ok. what are my options. gi dr won't see me. ?

Answer

Ask PCP for help?: Perhaps your PCP, who knows you best, may feel imaging at this point may be reassuring to you, and may arrange same.

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Learn how we can help

Question 6

What's causes change in stool caliber? pencil thin stools different shapes and sizes always? did a colonoscopy and ends and capsule 4 months ago polyp non cancerous biopsies taken? should i be scared? been like this for years but lately really bad

Answer

Less worries please: Stool texture (regardless of volume or frequency of movements) , shape, & caliber are affected by multiple factors (fiber intake, bacterial load, ... Read More

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Learn how we can help

Question 7

Having pencil thin stools for a few months could it be caused by low fiber intake should i be worried ?

Answer

Stool shape: At your age. Most likely your diet is deficient in fiber. Watch for bleeding and increase water intake and fiber intake. See your physician in follow... Read More

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Learn how we can help

Question 8

If someone has pencil thin stools due to colon cancer would the stool alternate meaning becoming thicker or it will always remain pencil thin?

Answer

Depends: If the pencil thin stools are due to a tumor causing partial obstruction of the colon, in theory, the stool s would remain thin until the obstruction ... Read More

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Learn how we can help

Question 9

Diagnosed w/ crohn's ileitis. pencil thin stools sometimes. is this common with ci? how often should i have colon/endoscopy after being diagnosed?

Answer

Yes: The thin stools can indicate narrowing or inflammation in the bowel, or scarring from old episodes. Your GI doctor can tell you if this is anything t... Read More

Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Learn how we can help

Question 10