What causes flat stools? Can hemorrhoids cause flat poops? When should you see a doctor about flat stool? Get the answers to these questions and more.

Understanding Flat Stools

Flat poops can happen due to changes in your diet. Some health conditions, including constipation, can cause long or flat poop. If unexplained changes last a few days, consider talking with a doctor.

Changes in stool consistency and color aren’t uncommon based on what you’ve recently eaten. Sometimes, you may notice that your poop appears especially flat, thin, or string-like. Usually, this variation isn’t cause for worry, and your poop will return to its “normal” appearance shortly after. However, there are times when consistently flat poops may indicate a more concerning underlying condition.

What Does Flat Poop Look Like?

A lot of times, your poop looks a lot like your intestines. It’s slightly rounded and lumpy. Flat poop isn’t round. Instead, it’s square or string-like in appearance. Sometimes, you have flat poop along with very loose stool that may include diarrhea. Flat poop doesn’t have a specific color or frequency.

Causes of Flat Stools

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a gastrointestinal disorder that occurs due to an interrupted function of your gut and brain. IBS can cause abdominal pain as well as bowel movement changes that include diarrhea, constipation, or both. Those with IBS may experience a variety of stool types, ranging from very large poops to flat ones. An estimated 12 percent of people in the United States have IBS, so this condition can be a common cause of flat poops and other stool changes.

Constipation

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.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Sometimes, the cause of flat stool isn’t the intestinal tract itself but something around it. This is the case for benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. This condition causes the male prostate gland to enlarge. The prostate is positioned just in front of the rectum and below the bladder. While BPH more commonly affects urination (such as a weak stream when peeing), some people do have symptoms related to passing stool, such as constipation and stool changes like flat poop.

Colorectal Cancer

Although rare, it’s possible that thin stool can indicate colon cancer. This is because a tumor may grow in the colon that keeps your stool from moving through in its normal shape. While colorectal cancer doesn’t always cause a lot of symptoms in its earliest stages, it can also lead to symptoms including rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, or problems emptying your stool.

Other Causes

Flat poop may also be due to any condition that may affect how stool moves through or exits the colon. Examples include:

• Colon polyps
• Fecal impaction
• Hemorrhoids
• Rectal ulcers

Even abdominal hernias can cause enough narrowing of stool movement so that stool may appear flat.

When to See a Doctor

Pencil-thin poop isn’t always cause for concern but you should see your doctor if you are experiencing flat poop and have any of the following symptoms:

• Blood in your stool or on the toilet paper
• Changes in the consistency of your stool, such as increasing diarrhea
• Changes in the frequency of your bowel movements, such as going more or less often
• Feeling like you aren’t fully emptying your stool every time
• High fever
• Stomach pain or cramping

If you have consistently flat stools for three days or more, it may be time to call your doctor.

Home Treatment for Flat Stools

Flat poops happen. It’s important to pay attention to any other symptoms you may be experiencing, such as abdominal pain or constipation, to understand the potential cause. If you’re worried your flat poops could be due to an underlying condition, call your doctor to get checked out. Your doctor may also be able to make recommendations that can help your stool take on a more expected appearance.

Causes, Home Treatment, When to See a Doctor

Flat poops can happen due to changes in your diet. Some health conditions, including constipation, can cause long or flat poop. If unexplained changes last a few days, consider talking with a doctor.

Changes in stool consistency and color aren’t uncommon based on what you’ve recently eaten. Sometimes, you may notice that your poop appears especially flat, thin, or string-like. Usually, this variation isn’t cause for worry, and your poop will return to its “normal” appearance shortly after.

However, there are times when consistently flat poops may indicate a more concerning underlying condition. Keep reading to find out what they may be.

A lot of times, your poop looks a lot like your intestines. It’s slightly rounded and lumpy. Flat poop isn’t round. Instead, it’s square or string-like in appearance. Sometimes, you have flat poop along with very loose stool that may include diarrhea.

Flat poop doesn’t have a specific color or frequency. You may notice you experience more flat poops when you’ve changed your diet (such as eaten less fiber). Other times, you may see flat poop in the toilet bowl and can’t link it back to anything you did or didn’t eat.

Here’s what flat poop may look like:

Sometimes, your poop is flat and there’s no underlying cause. Just as your poop can be pebble-sized or different colors, flat poops may be one of the variations you occasionally see. However, if you start having flat poops more often, it may be due to one of the following causes.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a gastrointestinal disorder that occurs due to an interrupted function of your gut and brain. IBS can cause abdominal pain as well as bowel movement changes that include diarrhea, constipation, or both. Those with IBS may experience a variety of stool types, ranging from very large poops to flat ones.

An estimated 12 percent of people in the United States have IBS, so this condition can be a common cause of flat poops and other stool changes.

Constipation

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.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Sometimes, the cause of flat stool isn’t the intestinal tract itself but something around it. This is the case for benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. This condition causes the male prostate gland to enlarge. The prostate is positioned just in front of the rectum and below the bladder.

While BPH more commonly affects urination (such as a weak stream when peeing), some people do have symptoms related to passing stool, such as constipation and stool changes like flat poop.

Colorectal cancer

Although rare, it’s possible that thin stool can indicate colon cancer. This is because a tumor may grow in the colon that keeps your stool from moving through in its normal shape.

While colorectal cancer doesn’t always cause a lot of symptoms in its earliest stages, it can also lead to symptoms including rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, or problems emptying your stool.

Other possible causes

Flat poop may also be due to any condition that may affect how stool moves through or exits the colon. Examples include:

• colon polyps
• fecal impaction
• hemorrhoids
• rectal ulcers

Even abdominal hernias can cause enough narrowing of stool movement so that stool may appear flat.

Pencil-thin poop isn’t always cause for concern but you should see your doctor if you are experiencing flat poop and have any of the following symptoms:

• blood in your stool or on the toilet paper
• changes in the consistency of your stool, such as increasing diarrhea
• changes in the frequency of your bowel movements, such as going more or less often
• feeling like you aren’t fully emptying your stool every time
• high fever
• stomach pain or cramping

If you have consistently flat stools for three days or more, it may be time to call your doctor.

Flat poops happen. It’s important to pay attention to any other symptoms you may be experiencing, such as abdominal pain or constipation, to understand the potential cause.

If you’re worried your flat poops could be due to an underlying condition, call your doctor to get checked out. Your doctor may also be able to make recommendations that can help your stool take on a more expected appearance.

Causes, Home Treatment, When to See a Doctor

Flat poops can happen due to changes in your diet. Some health conditions, including constipation, can cause long or flat poop. If unexplained changes last a few days, consider talking with a doctor.

Changes in stool consistency and color aren’t uncommon based on what you’ve recently eaten. Sometimes, you may notice that your poop appears especially flat, thin, or string-like. Usually, this variation isn’t cause for worry, and your poop will return to its “normal” appearance shortly after.

However, there are times when consistently flat poops may indicate a more concerning underlying condition. Keep reading to find out what they may be.

A lot of times, your poop looks a lot like your intestines. It’s slightly rounded and lumpy. Flat poop isn’t round. Instead, it’s square or string-like in appearance. Sometimes, you have flat poop along with very loose stool that may include diarrhea.

Flat poop doesn’t have a specific color or frequency. You may notice you experience more flat poops when you’ve changed your diet (such as eaten less fiber). Other times, you may see flat poop in the toilet bowl and can’t link it back to anything you did or didn’t eat.

Here’s what flat poop may look like:

Sometimes, your poop is flat and there’s no underlying cause. Just as your poop can be pebble-sized or different colors, flat poops may be one of the variations you occasionally see. However, if you start having flat poops more often, it may be due to one of the following causes.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a gastrointestinal disorder that occurs due to an interrupted function of your gut and brain. IBS can cause abdominal pain as well as bowel movement changes that include diarrhea, constipation, or both. Those with IBS may experience a variety of stool types, ranging from very large poops to flat ones.

An estimated 12 percent of people in the United States have IBS, so this condition can be a common cause of flat poops and other stool changes.

Constipation

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.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Sometimes, the cause of flat stool isn’t the intestinal tract itself but something around it. This is the case for benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. This condition causes the male prostate gland to enlarge. The prostate is positioned just in front of the rectum and below the bladder.

While BPH more commonly affects urination (such as a weak stream when peeing), some people do have symptoms related to passing stool, such as constipation and stool changes like flat poop.

Colorectal cancer

Although rare, it’s possible that thin stool can indicate colon cancer. This is because a tumor may grow in the colon that keeps your stool from moving through in its normal shape.

While colorectal cancer doesn’t always cause a lot of symptoms in its earliest stages, it can also lead to symptoms including rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, or problems emptying your stool.

Other possible causes

Flat poop may also be due to any condition that may affect how stool moves through or exits the colon. Examples include:

• colon polyps
• fecal impaction
• hemorrhoids
• rectal ulcers

Even abdominal hernias can cause enough narrowing of stool movement so that stool may appear flat.

Pencil-thin poop isn’t always cause for concern but you should see your doctor if you are experiencing flat poop and have any of the following symptoms:

• blood in your stool or on the toilet paper
• changes in the consistency of your stool, such as increasing diarrhea
• changes in the frequency of your bowel movements, such as going more or less often
• feeling like you aren’t fully emptying your stool every time
• high fever
• stomach pain or cramping

If you have consistently flat stools for three days or more, it may be time to call your doctor.

Flat poops happen. It’s important to pay attention to any other symptoms you may be experiencing, such as abdominal pain or constipation, to understand the potential cause.

If you’re worried your flat poops could be due to an underlying condition, call your doctor to get checked out. Your doctor may also be able to make recommendations that can help your stool take on a more expected appearance.

relationship, causes and prevention

Constipation and hemorrhoids are very common problems, so one condition is often associated with another. At the same time, both constipation and hemorrhoids can occur independently of each other. We will talk about all the features of the development and course of these pathological conditions in this article.

What is constipation

With constipation, there is a violation of the defecation process. Usually patients complain of a decrease in the frequency of fecal discharge, slowing down or difficulty. The disease can be acute and chronic, although not all experts consider constipation to be a disease. Domestic doctors consider it only as a symptom of other pathological processes. If we turn to the international classification of diseases (ICD-10), then in it constipation is placed in a separate disease (code K59.0).

The causes of constipation can be very diverse. Among the most common predisposing factors are:

• Wrong diet.
• Sedentary lifestyle.
• Uncontrolled use of laxatives.
• Pregnancy.
• Diseases in which there is a decrease in intestinal motility.
• Spinal cord injury.
• Taking certain medications, etc.

In addition, the list of causes of constipation includes hemorrhoids. Discomfort and pain during bowel movements with hemorrhoids force the patient to postpone going to the toilet as long as possible. The psychological influence is sometimes very strong and leads to the development of constipation even with a normally functioning bowel. The disease can be chronic and manifest itself even after the treatment of hemorrhoids.

What are hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are called pathological expansion of hemorrhoidal veins, which is accompanied by inflammation, thrombosis, formation of nodes. Among the most common causes of the development of the disease are:

• Physical inactivity.
• Obesity (details).
• Improper nutrition (more).
• Hereditary predisposition.
• Circulatory disorders in the pelvic organs, etc.

As you can see, some predisposing factors are common to both diseases. With constipation, the patient is forced to push hard for a long time to empty the intestines, which leads to an increase in intra-abdominal pressure. At the same time, hard and dense feces injure the rectal mucosa, which also contributes to the development of hemorrhoids. Often in the practice of a proctologist there are cases when both diseases are detected simultaneously. In this case, before proceeding with the treatment of hemorrhoids, it is necessary to eliminate constipation, and for this it is necessary to normalize nutrition and adjust lifestyle. Additionally, the doctor may prescribe medications.

How to avoid constipation and hemorrhoids

Prevention of these diseases also has common features. First of all, you need to adjust your diet: it is necessary to exclude fatty, fried and smoked foods, as well as foods that have a fixing effect. The optimal amount of fluid to drink every day is at least 1.5 liters of ordinary clean water. Do not forget about components such as fiber and foods that support intestinal motility at the proper level (dried fruits, kefir, fermented baked milk, fresh vegetables, cereals, etc.). Read more about the diet for hemorrhoids here.

The second important rule concerns physical activity. It is especially true for people who are engaged in sedentary work. Every hour you need to take small breaks of 5-10 minutes, during which you need to perform simple physical exercises or just walk. Experts recommend keeping the whole body in good physical shape, which will reduce the risk of developing not only hemorrhoids and constipation, but also many other diseases.

It is equally important to choose the right laxatives and not to abuse drugs that can cause constipation. Any treatment, even the most harmless and simple, should be prescribed by a doctor and periodically monitor the patient’s condition. It is imperative to consult a doctor in cases where, along with indigestion, symptoms such as discomfort, itching and burning in the rectum, the appearance of blood in the feces, pain during bowel movements, etc. develop. In order to identify the cause of these manifestations, it is necessary undergo an examination and only then proceed to treatment. Uncontrolled intake of drugs can lead to the development of complications and deterioration of health.

The material was prepared by
specialist of the medical center “URO-PRO”
Sugak Tatyana Vladimirovna,
proctologist, experience 12 years

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Coprogram, general analysis of feces, rules for preparing for the delivery of analysis, interpretation of the results and indicators of the norm.

Hemorrhoids

Fungus

Diarrhea

Gastritis

Hepatitis

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08 October

We remind you that independent interpretation of the results is not allowed, the information below is for reference only.

Coprogram, general analysis of feces: indications for the appointment, rules for preparing for the delivery of the analysis, interpretation of the results and indicators of the norm.

Indications for testing

Coprogram is a laboratory study of feces, which evaluates its various characteristics and identifies some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), including inflammation and dysbacteriosis of the intestinal microflora.

In the absence of pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, all food that a person consumes while passing through the gastrointestinal tract is subjected to intense action of gastric juice, bile, digestive enzymes, etc. As a result, food products are broken down into simple substances that are absorbed through the intestinal mucosa into the blood and lymph. Undigested food residues enter the large intestine, where water is partially absorbed from them. Normally, fecal masses enter the rectum, approximately 70% water and 30% dry food residues.

If any function of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract is disturbed, failures begin in the process of absorption of food products, which is reflected in the characteristics of feces.

Thus, a general analysis of feces is prescribed for the diagnosis of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (pathology of the liver, stomach, pancreas, duodenum, small and large intestine, gallbladder and biliary tract), if intestinal infections are suspected, to evaluate the results of therapy for gastrointestinal diseases , during the diagnosis of malignant neoplasms and genetic pathologies, as well as to establish intolerance to various products.

Preparation for procedure

Preparation for the coprogram requires compliance with some recommendations that allow you to get the correct result of the study.

• Avoid taking laxatives, enzymatic preparations, sorbents, rectal suppositories, oils.
• If possible, have a complete stool test no earlier than seven days after you stop taking antibiotics.
• Limit the intake of drugs and products that can change the color of feces three days before the test.

• On the eve of the study, do not carry out diagnostic procedures that irritate the anus and rectum (enemas, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy).

• After an x-ray examination of the stomach and intestines, fecal analysis should be taken no earlier than two days later.
• If it is necessary to detect hidden bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract, a 4-5-day diet is required with the exception of meat, fish, eggs and green vegetables, as well as iron, magnesium and bismuth preparations.

Stool collection in a special container

You can take a special container for collecting feces at any INVITRO medical office or buy it at a pharmacy. Its use will prevent contamination of the collected biomaterial.

Stool collection can be performed independently at home after an independent act of defecation (and not after an enema). To do this, it is better to use a medical vessel or pot, thoroughly washed beforehand, or a disposable diaper.

Immediately after the act of defecation, the stool should be collected with a spatula into the container, filling it by about 30%. It is important that no traces of urine, menstrual flow or toilet water get into the collected biomaterial.

The resulting biomaterial must be delivered to the laboratory on the day of collection, the container can be stored in a refrigerator at a temperature of +4 to +8°C for no more than 6-8 hours.

Biomaterial collection container

Deadline

Up to 4 working days (not including the day of taking the biomaterial).

What can affect the results

1. Failure to follow nutritional recommendations, use of an enema, performing a fluoroscopy or endoscopy shortly before the test.
2. Stool collection violation involving use of a non-sterile biomaterial collection container or collection directly from the toilet bowl, resulting in the introduction of foreign microorganisms from urine, genital secretions, toilet water, etc.
3. Non-compliance with the conditions of storage and transportation of feces (the biomaterial was delivered to the laboratory later than the maximum set time from the moment of collection).

If the result of the coprogram seems incorrect to you, it is better to take the analysis again, adhering to all the recommendations for preparation and collection rules.

Coprogram, general fecal analysis

You can submit a coprogram at the nearest INVITRO medical office. The list of offices where biomaterial is accepted for laboratory testing is presented in the “Addresses” section.

Interpretation of test results contains information for the attending physician and is not a diagnosis. The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. An accurate diagnosis is made by the doctor, using both the results of this examination and the necessary information from other sources: history, results of other examinations, etc.

Normal values ​​

Explanation of indicators

Consistency

Liquid feces may indicate excessively active intestinal motility, colitis, the presence of protozoal invasion.

Too tight stool indicates excessive absorption of fluid in the intestines, constipation, dehydration.

Foamy stool occurs when pancreatic insufficiency or violation of the secretory function of the stomach.

Mushy stools may indicate dyspepsia, colitis, or accelerated evacuation of feces from the large intestine.

Form

Pea-shaped feces are associated with hemorrhoids, anal fissures, ulcers, starvation, myxedema (mucous edema).

Feces in the form of a thin ribbon is noted in case of stenosis of the small intestine, as well as in the presence of neoplasms in it.

Color

Black color (tar color) can be caused by eating certain foods (currants, chokeberries, cherries), taking drugs with bismuth or iron, as well as bleeding in the stomach or duodenum, cirrhosis of the liver.

Red tint appears when bleeding in the large intestine.

Light brown stools occur in liver failure or blockage of the bile ducts.

Light-yellow color of feces occurs in pathologies of the pancreas and due to excessive consumption of dairy products.

Dark brown color indicates an excess of meat in the diet, as well as an increase in secretory function in the large intestine.

Green stool is a sign of typhoid fever.

Smell

A putrid odor occurs due to the formation of hydrogen sulfide in the intestines and indicates the presence of ulcerative colitis or tissue breakdown, tuberculosis, putrefactive dyspepsia.

A sour smell indicates an intensification of fermentation processes.

A fetid odor indicates a violation of the pancreas, a lack of bile entering the intestines.

Acidity

An increase in pH is observed in breastfed infants, in adults – with putrefactive dyspepsia, as well as with high activity of the intestinal microflora.

Decrease in pH occurs in case of violation of the absorption process in the small intestine, with excessive consumption of carbohydrates, with increased fermentation processes.

Mucus

Mucus can be found both on the surface of the feces and inside it, found in ulcerative colitis and constipation.

Blood

Blood in the feces is determined by bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract caused by neoplasms, polyps, ulcers, hemorrhoids, and inflammatory processes.

An excess of bacteria and fungi may cause a false positive response.

Undigested food

Undigested food in the feces (lientorrhoea) indicates a violation of the function of the pancreas, chronic gastritis, accelerated peristalsis.

Undigested dietary fiber in stool analysis

Protein

The presence of protein in the feces indicates pathologies of the duodenum or stomach, colitis, enteritis, hemorrhoids and some other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Stercobilin

The absence or significant decrease in stool stercobilin (negative reaction to stercobilin) ​​indicates blockage of the bile duct or a sharp decrease in the functional activity of the liver. An increase in the amount of stercobilin in the feces is observed with increased bile secretion, hemolytic jaundice.

Bilirubin

The detection of bilirubin in the feces of an adult indicates a violation of the process of its restoration in the intestine under the influence of microflora. This indicates intestinal dysbacteriosis, increased peristalsis, or taking antibacterial drugs during preparation for the test or shortly before.

Connective tissue and muscle fibers

They are underdigested remains of meat and occur with a lack of pancreatic enzymes.

Fat

Fat in the stool is one of the signs of insufficient pancreatic function or impaired bile secretion.

Excess fat in the stool (steatorrhea)

Vegetable fiber

A large amount of digested vegetable fiber in the feces indicates a rapid passage of food through the stomach due to a decrease in its secretory function, the absence of hydrochloric acid in it, as well as an excess amount of bacteria in the large intestine and their penetration into the small intestine. Undigested fiber has no diagnostic value, since there are no enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract to break it down.

Starch

The increased content of starch in the feces, which appears with a lack of digestion processes in the stomach, small intestine and dysfunction of the pancreas, is called amylorrhea. In addition, a lot of starch can be found during diarrhea.

Intracellular starch granules in fecal analysis

Iodophilic flora (pathological)

The presence of pathological microflora (staphylococci, enterococci, Escherichia coli, etc.) indicates a decrease in the number of beneficial bacteria in the intestine and, accordingly, dysbacteriosis. With the consumption of a large amount of carbohydrates, clostridia begin to multiply intensively, causing fermentative dysbiosis.

Crystals

Calcium oxalate crystals in feces indicate insufficiency of stomach function, helminthic invasions, allergies.
Tripelphosphate crystals indicate an increased putrefaction of proteins in the colon.

Epithelium

A significant amount of columnar epithelium in feces is found in acute and chronic colitis. The presence of squamous epithelial cells has no diagnostic value.

Leukocytes

Leukocytes in the feces appear in colitis and intestinal enteritis, dysentery, intestinal tuberculosis.

Erythrocytes

Erythrocytes appear in the stool with hemorrhoids, rectal fissures, ulcerative processes in the large intestine, with the decay of tumors.

Protozoa

Non-pathogenic protozoa present in healthy individuals. Pathogenic can be detected in feces delivered to the laboratory no later than two hours after the collection of the biomaterial. Their presence indicates an invasion.

Worm eggs

Helminth eggs in stool indicate worm infestation.

Roundworm larvae of the genus Strongyloides in feces

Yeasts

May be present in feces during corticosteroid or antibacterial therapy. The presence of the fungus Candida albicans indicates intestinal damage.

Sources

1. Nomenclature of medical services (new edition). Approved by order of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation dated October 13, 2017 No. 804n. Valid from 01.01.2018. As amended by the Order of the Ministry of Health of Russia dated March 5, 2020 N 148n (including as amended, entered into force on April 18, 2020).
2. Shakova Kh.Kh. Evaluation of the reliability of scatological research depending on the storage time of the material. Successes of modern natural science, journal. 2003. No. 8. S. 131-131.
3. Clinical guidelines “Gastritis and duodenitis”. Developed by: Russian Gastroenterological Association, Association “Endoscopic Society “RandO””. – 2021.

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests.