How narrow is too narrow for poop?

In some cases, the cause is more serious. Stringy poop may also be referred to as stools that are pencil-thin, ribbon-like, thin, or narrow. Normal stool is about 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Stringy poop is narrow and, in some cases, almost flat, giving it a stringy appearance.

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Is it OK to have narrow stool?

Narrow stools that occur infrequently probably are harmless. In some cases, however , narrow stools — especially if pencil thin — may be a sign of narrowing or obstruction of the colon due to colon cancer.

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When is poop too narrow?

Having narrow or pencil-thin BMs on occasion isn't something to worry about. If it looks that way all the time or it gets narrower over time, it could be a concern, so let your doctor know. If constipation is the cause of your narrow poop, you might also have these symptoms: Belly cramps or pain.

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When should I be concerned about my poop size?

Poop size. A normal stool size is at least a couple inches in length, and ideally between four and eight inches. Tiny poops aren't good. You shouldn't be pooping out pellets – not unless you're a bunny, deer or other wild animal.

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How wide should normal poop be?

Appearance. Healthy faecal matter has a solid, smooth shape and has a somewhat soft (but not mushy) appearance. Ideally it should be between 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2 ins.) wide and have a long, tubular shape.

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12 Things Your Stool Says About Your Health

26 related questions found

What determines width of poop?

During defecation, feces moves like a solid plug. Therefore, in ideal conditions, the combined length and diameter of feces is simply determined by the shape of one's rectum and large intestine.

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Why is my poop tapered?

Constipation can be a common cause of flat stool that is usually stringy in consistency. Constipation can occur when you don't get enough fiber in your diet to add some extra bulk to your stool. As a result, your stool may be thinner, flat, and more difficult to pass.

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Does your poop size matter?

Low stool weight appears to lower our colon health and may increase the risk of colon cancer, diverticulitis, appendicitis, and constipation. The target minimum fecal output is 200 grams or about a half pound a day. The link between stool size and colon disease may be related to transit time.

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Can hemorrhoids cause narrow stools?

Hemorrhoids can cause pencil-thin stools. While this is a common diagnosis, you should see your doctor if the problem persists and is accompanied by symptoms such as rectal bleeding, pain, and discomfort.

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Why do I poop small amounts frequently?

If you're having bowel movements more often, chances are you've made some change in your lifestyle. For example, you may be eating more whole grains, which increases fiber intake. More-frequent bowel movements also could be related to a mild illness that will take care of itself.

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Can colon polyps cause narrow stools?

The growth of cancerous or non-cancerous tumors or polyps may cause a narrowing of the rectum, that is thought to result in thin or narrowed stool.

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Is a 9 inch poop normal?

An average bowel movement should be between four and eight inches long and have the consistency of peanut butter. The Bristol stool chart (see above) is a handy medical aid for classifying stool. A shape similar to any of Types 1-3 may indicate constipation, while something more akin to Types 6 or 7 means diarrhea.

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Is it normal for poop to be tapered at the end?

This is the Holy Grail of poops, which is to say, it's normal. The Smooth Snake softly slithers out of you with ease about once a day. This magnificent specimen is long, tapered, and usually achieved by a healthy, fiber-rich diet and plenty of water. You probably eat all your fruits and veggies.

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Should poop be tapered?

As for what it should look like, Dr. Oz believes it should be an S-shape. Other expert opinions vary and suggest healthy stool should be the shape of a banana (with tapered ends), formed but soft enough that it's easy to pass, and brown or golden brown in color.

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Should your poop be one piece?

Shape and texture: Your stool should look similar to a snake or candy bar — soft and smooth — and should pass in a single piece or few smaller pieces. When you're constipated, your stool usually comes out in small pellets. It may be log-shaped, lumpy or dry.

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Is 1 cm poop normal?

Yes, it is normal to pass stools around 1 cm. But do not worry in a few conditions like anal canal stenosis or anal muscular spasm or fissure also may present like this.

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Can diverticulitis cause narrow stools?

Symptoms of Diverticulosis

When diverticulosis is far advanced, the lower colon may become very fixed, distorted, and even narrowed. When this occurs, there may be thin or pellet-shaped stools, constipation, and an occasional rush of diarrhea.

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Why does my poop smear when I wipe?

Sticky poop can be a symptom of a temporary or chronic digestive disorder, or the result of a diet that contains too much fat. Sticky poop can appear greasy and pale or dark and tarry. If you also have other symptoms, such as gas or abdominal cramps, talk to your doctor to determine the cause.

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What is ribbon poop?

Stringy poop is when stool appears thin or narrow, often resembling strips of ribbon. Doctors may link it to temporary, nonserious causes, such as poor diet, or it could be a sign of an underlying condition or disease.

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Does your colon narrow as you get older?

The colon does not thin as we age. However, because of poor diet and less fiber in the American diet, we do see more forced out-pouching of the colon in the older population. This out-pouching is caused by chronic constipation, which puts pressure on the walls of the colon.

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Is it normal to poop small amounts multiple times a day?

There isn't an exact normal number of times a person should use the bathroom per day. While some people may go a few days without a regular bowel movement, others poop once or twice a day on average.

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Why is there a second pee after I poop?

When you do pass stool however, the relaxation of the stronger anal sphincter also decreases tension in the weaker urinary sphincter, allowing urine to pass at the same time.

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Why do I feel like I have to poop but nothing comes out?

Rectal tenesmus, or tenesmus, is a feeling of being unable to empty the large bowel, even if there is no remaining stool to expel. Several medical conditions can cause tenesmus. These include inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), colorectal cancer, and disorders that affect how the muscles move food through the gut.

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What is double voiding?

What is double voiding? Double voiding refers to spending extra time on the toilet to try to empty your bladder completely. Many women rush to get off the toilet and leave urine inside the bladder. Over months and years of doing this, it may become harder for the bladder to fully empty.

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Do guys sit down to pee?

The truth is, there are a number of reasons why men might opt to sit down—and research suggests that more guys do it than might be expected. Data—admittedly, data from 2007, but hey, this isn't studied too often—shows that 42 percent of married men sit down to urinate, presumably due to spousal pressure.

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