Change in Stool Consistency
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Mucus in stool
Slimy poop
Hard and dry poop
Stools look like mud
Funny looking poop
Thin stools
Stringy poop
Excess fat in stools
Malabsorption
Long and thin poo
Pencil thin stools
Slimy stuff in my poop
About the Symptom
Stools should be soft and pass easily. Hard, dry stools indicates constipation whereas diarrhea is loose, watery stools. The Bristol Stool Chart (https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/poop-chart-bristol-stool-scale) is a visual tool for identifying different stool shapes.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Hematochezia (rectal bleeding)
- Recent weight loss
- Lower abdominal pain
- Unexplained weight loss of 5% or more in 1 month
Possible Causes
Generally, Change in stool consistency can be related to:
- Ulcerative Colitis
An inflammatory condition of the large intestine that damages the gut wall. The exact cause is not well known.
- Crohn's Disease
It is an inflammatory condition of the gut. It is part of a group of diseases known as inflammatory bowel disease or IBD. It can affect anywhere from the mouth to the anus (end of the bowel).The exact cause is not well known.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
A condition with recurring episodes of abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and constipation. IBS is diagnosed when no clear cause can be found despite investigations. The exact cause of IBS is unknown, but stress and certain foods are known to cause flare-ups.
- Constipation
- Gastritis
- Colon Cancer
- Chronic Pancreatitis
- Anal Cancer
- Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
Related Serious Diseases
Sometimes, Change in stool consistency may be related to these serious diseases:
- Perianal Abscess
A buildup of pus near the anus, more common in patients with diabetes, obesity, or certain conditions causing gut ulcers.
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Have you noticed any changes in the shape of your stool?
- Are your stools greasy and smelly?
- Is there mucus in your stools?
- Is your stool thin and narrow like a pencil?
- How often do you experience an abnormal stool shape?
Reviewed By:
Samantha Nazareth, MD (Gastroenterology)
Board-certified gastroenterologist. Experience managing gastrointestinal conditions (GERD, IBS, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s, celiac disease, NASH) within healthcare organizations (three ambulatory surgical centers, single-specialty practice, multi-specialty practice and solo practice).
Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.
Content updated on Jan 30, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Bristol Stool Chart
https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/poop-chart-bristol-stool-scale