Question 1

i am experiencing  passing a lot of gas, frequent stools, difficult stools, feeling of unfinished defecation and thin, pencil-like stools.

Accepted Answer

Irritable bowel?: These symptoms are typical for irritable bowel syndrome. It is uncomfortable but usually not harmful. Symptoms can be controlled with treatment and diet. See your doctor and take it from there.

Question 2

if i have pencil thin stool what does that mean?

Accepted Answer

Abnormal anal canal : If pencil thin stool is going on for more than few days, then you need to see a gastroenterologist or a colorectal surgeon. Physical narrowing of the anal canal or rectum needs to be ruled out.  This could mean a serious problem. So don't delay.

Question 3

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

Accepted 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 you have never seen one them maybe 1/2 as thin as your little finger or a free ball point pen you get at the bank.

Question 4

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

Accepted 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 can be blamed.
This also has been described in colon cancer but cancer is a disease which affects people over 50.

Question 5

i've been getting worm-shaped(not pencil thin) thin stools along with normal ones today, all of them are type 4 on stool chart is this natural?

Accepted Answer

Thin Stool: Is this the first time this happens to you? Do you have pain or bleeding with bowl movements? Any family history or colon issues?  If this is something that continues or you answered yes to any of the questions you need to see a gi.

Question 6

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. ?

Accepted 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 segment.

Question 7

why would i have pencil thin stool after taking milk of magnesium?

Accepted Answer

Stimulants: After a stimulant to move your bowels the stool is released under pressure and this can help.  However if the sphincter is not relaxed then stool is forced out under pressure and it becomes pencil like.   It should be ok however as long as you are not having other problemsl.

Question 8

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

Accepted 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 patient would not be able to have a bowel movement at all.

Question 9

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. ?

Accepted 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.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

Less worries please: Stool texture (regardless of volume or frequency of movements) , shape, &amp; caliber are affected by multiple factors (fiber intake, bacterial load, GI transit, fluid secretion, etc.)  Sounds however like your evaluation has been at least reassuring to-date.

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Doctor answers about:

Thin Pencil stool

A member asked:

I am experiencing passing a lot of gas, frequent stools, difficult stools, feeling of unfinished defecation and thin, pencil-like stools.

A member asked:

If i have pencil thin stool what does that mean?

A member asked:

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

A member asked:

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

A member asked:

I've been getting worm-shaped(not pencil thin) thin stools along with normal ones today, all of them are type 4 on stool chart is this natural?

A member asked:

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. ?

A member asked:

Why would i have pencil thin stool after taking milk of magnesium?

A member asked:

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

A member asked:

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. ?

A member asked:

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

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