Causes, home treatment, when to see a doctor

Occasionally, stool may be flat, squarish, or stringy. These changes are often the result of diet. However, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation, and other conditions may cause long-term changes in stool shape.

Poop should generally resemble the place from which it comes: the intestines. It is usually slightly rounded, like a sausage, and smooth, with some cracks on the surface.

It can be concerning if stools are suddenly not “normal.” Most of the time, however, a change in appearance is short-lived and nothing to worry about.

Temporary changes to the shape or color of stool are common and not necessarily a sign of illness.

Sometimes, they stem from the person’s diet. For example, foods containing colorings can change the color of poop. An excess of fatty foods can lead to oily or greasy poop, and eating too little fiber can likewise give stool an unusual appearance.

If the changes only last for one or two bowel movements, or even a couple of days, they are likely no cause for concern.

However, if changes in stool shape or color last longer or accompany other symptoms, the cause may be an underlying condition that requires medical attention.

Learn more about different types of poop here.

While changes in the color or appearance of stool often stem from the diet and are temporary, some underlying health issues can cause more lasting changes.

Below, we describe some conditions that may cause flat poop:

Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) refers to a group of gastrointestinal symptoms that occur without any visible signs of damage or disease in the digestive system.

Symptoms include:

• stomach pain
• bloating
• gastroesophageal reflux
• gas
• needing the toilet urgently
• whitish mucus in stool

Treatment may include:

• eating more fiber
• avoiding gluten
• switching to the low FODMAP diet

Learn more about the signs of IBS here.

Constipation

Constipation involves having fewer bowel movements than usual or having hard stool that is difficult to pass.

Symptoms include:

• small, hard, pellet- or pebble-like stool
• stomachache
• cramping
• gas
• frequent belching
• bloating
• no bowel movements for several days

Treatment may include:

• avoiding triggering foods
• drinking more fluids
• taking laxatives
• taking stool softeners
• taking fiber supplements

Find home remedies for constipation here.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is the passage of loose or watery stools several times a day. It may also involve pain or discomfort.

Symptoms include:

• an urgent need to use the bathroom
• cramping
• a loss of control of bowel movements
• nausea
• pain in the abdomen

Treatment may involve:

• taking over-the-counter diarrhea medication
• treating the underlying cause
• replacing lost fluids and electrolytes

Learn how to stop diarrhea fast here.

Colorectal cancer

Changes in the shape of stool can be one sign of colon or rectal cancer. If a tumor grows in either area, it can change the shape of the bowel and cause stool to be flat or thin and pencil-like.

Symptoms include:

• blood in the stool
• darker stool, indicating bleeding further up the gastrointestinal tract
• feeling the need to have a bowel movement and no relief afterward
• diarrhea, constipation, or other changes in bowel habits that last more than a few days
• weakness and fatigue
• unintended weight loss
• vomiting

Treatment may include:

• surgery to remove the cancerous cells
• radiofrequency ablation, which involves killing these cells with a probe containing tiny electrodes
• cryosurgery, which freezes and destroys the abnormal tissue
• chemotherapy, which involves stopping cancer’s growth with drugs
• radiation therapy, which involves using high energy X-rays, for example, to kill cancerous cells or keep them from growing
• targeted therapy, which involves attacking cancerous cells, without harming regular cells, using drugs or other substances
• immunotherapy, which involves using the immune system to fight the cancer

It is important to remember that the earlier a doctor diagnoses cancer, the better the likelihood of successful treatment.

Learn more about colorectal cancer here.

Other potential causes

Anything that may cause the colon or rectum to narrow may also cause flat poop. These issues include:

• fecal impaction — a partial blockage or impaction of waste in the intestines or rectum
• hemorrhoids — swollen veins in the lower rectum or anus
• trapped abdominal hernias
• colon polyps
• a distended, or stretched, colon
• food poisoning

The best approach depends on the cause of the issue. Some home care techniques involve:

Fiber

If constipation causes flat stool, eating more fiber-rich foods can help.

Foods with high fiber content include whole grains and many fruits and vegetables. Leave the skins on, when possible.

Learn about high fiber foods here.

Water

Drinking lots of water can ease the passage of stool, making it less likely to be flat.

Learn about the symptoms of dehydration here.

Exercise

Some types of physical activity may have a positive impact on gastrointestinal problems.

Activities such as walking, yoga, aerobic exercise, and tai chi may help improve physical and mental health-related symptoms of IBS, according to research from 2019.

Low FODMAP diet

FODMAP stands for “fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols.” These are short-chain carbohydrates that can be poorly absorbed by the small intestine and can cause gastrointestinal symptoms.

Evidence supports the use of a low FODMAP diet in the treatment of IBS.

Learn more about the low FODMAP diet here.

Flat poop is rarely a cause for concern. However, a person should seek medical advice if any of the following symptoms occur:

• blood in stool
• dark stool
• pus or mucus in stool
• high fever
• abdominal pain or cramping
• sudden, prolonged constipation
• pooping more or less often than usual
• drastic changes in the consistency of stool

Overall, if thin or flat stool occurs for more than 3 days, even without any of the above symptoms, a person should consider contacting a doctor.

Here are some questions people ask about flat poop.

Is flat poop normal?

Flat poop is not usually a cause for concern. However, people should speak with a doctor if they have blood in their stool or persistent changes in bowel habits for no clear reason.

What can flat poop mean?

Flat poop can be a sign of constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, an enlarged prostate, or colorectal cancer. Stool can also change in color and consistency according to the diet.

Bowel movements naturally vary from day to day, and these temporary changes are usually nothing to worry about.

However, prolonged changes can indicate an underlying health issue. If flat poop occurs for more than 3 days, seek medical advice. It may be wise to do so earlier if there are other symptoms.

Causes, home treatment, when to see a doctor

Occasionally, stool may be flat, squarish, or stringy. These changes are often the result of diet. However, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation, and other conditions may cause long-term changes in stool shape.

Poop should generally resemble the place from which it comes: the intestines. It is usually slightly rounded, like a sausage, and smooth, with some cracks on the surface.

It can be concerning if stools are suddenly not “normal.” Most of the time, however, a change in appearance is short-lived and nothing to worry about.

Temporary changes to the shape or color of stool are common and not necessarily a sign of illness.

Sometimes, they stem from the person’s diet. For example, foods containing colorings can change the color of poop. An excess of fatty foods can lead to oily or greasy poop, and eating too little fiber can likewise give stool an unusual appearance.

If the changes only last for one or two bowel movements, or even a couple of days, they are likely no cause for concern.

However, if changes in stool shape or color last longer or accompany other symptoms, the cause may be an underlying condition that requires medical attention.

Learn more about different types of poop here.

While changes in the color or appearance of stool often stem from the diet and are temporary, some underlying health issues can cause more lasting changes.

Below, we describe some conditions that may cause flat poop:

Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) refers to a group of gastrointestinal symptoms that occur without any visible signs of damage or disease in the digestive system.

Symptoms include:

• stomach pain
• bloating
• gastroesophageal reflux
• gas
• needing the toilet urgently
• whitish mucus in stool

Treatment may include:

• eating more fiber
• avoiding gluten
• switching to the low FODMAP diet

Learn more about the signs of IBS here.

Constipation

Constipation involves having fewer bowel movements than usual or having hard stool that is difficult to pass.

Symptoms include:

• small, hard, pellet- or pebble-like stool
• stomachache
• cramping
• gas
• frequent belching
• bloating
• no bowel movements for several days

Treatment may include:

• avoiding triggering foods
• drinking more fluids
• taking laxatives
• taking stool softeners
• taking fiber supplements

Find home remedies for constipation here.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is the passage of loose or watery stools several times a day. It may also involve pain or discomfort.

Symptoms include:

• an urgent need to use the bathroom
• cramping
• a loss of control of bowel movements
• nausea
• pain in the abdomen

Treatment may involve:

• taking over-the-counter diarrhea medication
• treating the underlying cause
• replacing lost fluids and electrolytes

Learn how to stop diarrhea fast here.

Colorectal cancer

Changes in the shape of stool can be one sign of colon or rectal cancer. If a tumor grows in either area, it can change the shape of the bowel and cause stool to be flat or thin and pencil-like.

Symptoms include:

• blood in the stool
• darker stool, indicating bleeding further up the gastrointestinal tract
• feeling the need to have a bowel movement and no relief afterward
• diarrhea, constipation, or other changes in bowel habits that last more than a few days
• weakness and fatigue
• unintended weight loss
• vomiting

Treatment may include:

• surgery to remove the cancerous cells
• radiofrequency ablation, which involves killing these cells with a probe containing tiny electrodes
• cryosurgery, which freezes and destroys the abnormal tissue
• chemotherapy, which involves stopping cancer’s growth with drugs
• radiation therapy, which involves using high energy X-rays, for example, to kill cancerous cells or keep them from growing
• targeted therapy, which involves attacking cancerous cells, without harming regular cells, using drugs or other substances
• immunotherapy, which involves using the immune system to fight the cancer

It is important to remember that the earlier a doctor diagnoses cancer, the better the likelihood of successful treatment.

Learn more about colorectal cancer here.

Other potential causes

Anything that may cause the colon or rectum to narrow may also cause flat poop. These issues include:

• fecal impaction — a partial blockage or impaction of waste in the intestines or rectum
• hemorrhoids — swollen veins in the lower rectum or anus
• trapped abdominal hernias
• colon polyps
• a distended, or stretched, colon
• food poisoning

The best approach depends on the cause of the issue. Some home care techniques involve:

Fiber

If constipation causes flat stool, eating more fiber-rich foods can help.

Foods with high fiber content include whole grains and many fruits and vegetables. Leave the skins on, when possible.

Learn about high fiber foods here.

Water

Drinking lots of water can ease the passage of stool, making it less likely to be flat.

Learn about the symptoms of dehydration here.

Exercise

Some types of physical activity may have a positive impact on gastrointestinal problems.

Activities such as walking, yoga, aerobic exercise, and tai chi may help improve physical and mental health-related symptoms of IBS, according to research from 2019.

Low FODMAP diet

FODMAP stands for “fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols.” These are short-chain carbohydrates that can be poorly absorbed by the small intestine and can cause gastrointestinal symptoms.

Evidence supports the use of a low FODMAP diet in the treatment of IBS.

Learn more about the low FODMAP diet here.

Flat poop is rarely a cause for concern. However, a person should seek medical advice if any of the following symptoms occur:

• blood in stool
• dark stool
• pus or mucus in stool
• high fever
• abdominal pain or cramping
• sudden, prolonged constipation
• pooping more or less often than usual
• drastic changes in the consistency of stool

Overall, if thin or flat stool occurs for more than 3 days, even without any of the above symptoms, a person should consider contacting a doctor.

Here are some questions people ask about flat poop.

Is flat poop normal?

Flat poop is not usually a cause for concern. However, people should speak with a doctor if they have blood in their stool or persistent changes in bowel habits for no clear reason.

What can flat poop mean?

Flat poop can be a sign of constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, an enlarged prostate, or colorectal cancer. Stool can also change in color and consistency according to the diet.

Bowel movements naturally vary from day to day, and these temporary changes are usually nothing to worry about.

However, prolonged changes can indicate an underlying health issue. If flat poop occurs for more than 3 days, seek medical advice. It may be wise to do so earlier if there are other symptoms.

Rectal prolapse with hemorrhoids: what is it and how is it treated

Contents

1. Introduction 2. How to distinguish between hemorrhoids and rectal prolapse 3. Treatment of prolapsed hemorrhoids

A disease such as hemorrhoids is accompanied by an increase in the size of hemorrhoids – internal and external. As a result of degeneration of the ligaments surrounding the nodes and when straining during defecation, the nodes can fall and go out. The detection of bumps indicates the presence of hemorrhoids of the second or later stage. Various factors contribute to the development of this disease. The key ones are physical inactivity, the formation of congestion in the pelvic organs, stretching and deformation of the vascular walls. A sedentary lifestyle, an unbalanced diet that lacks dietary fiber, frequent constipation, drinking excess alcohol, pregnancy and childbirth leads to hemorrhoids.

How to distinguish between hemorrhoids and rectal prolapse

Often patients are confused in terms, calling the prolapse of hemorrhoids a prolapse of the rectum. For a doctor, the difference is obvious – rectal prolapse is a much more serious pathology that requires immediate medical attention. There is already a difference in the causes of this state. The rectum may descend as a result of high intra-abdominal pressure or due to the individual anatomy of the patient. Prolapse with an increase in hemorrhoids is no more than 2 cm, while with prolapse of the intestine it reaches 20 cm. In the case of hemorrhoids, the tone of the anus will be increased, as the tissues swell and it narrows. With prolapse, the rectum, on the contrary, observes a low tone of the anus and episodes of fecal incontinence are possible. The patient experiences pain during hemorrhoids during the period of exacerbation, with a chronic course of discomfort expressed by pain, no. It is impossible not to notice the prolapse of the rectum – it is always a sharp pain.

A fallen hemorrhoidal lump looks like an inflamed mucous tissue of a bluish or red hue, with a seal. If the angle falls out, the sphincter can infringe on it, which will cause sharp pain. If several nodules fell out at once, then it will resemble a bunch, while the bumps can be palpated separately from each other. In the initial stages of hemorrhoids, the nodes return to their place without problems on their own, but only a surgeon and surgery will help with intestinal prolapse.

Treatment of prolapsed haemorrhoids

Therapy of hemorrhoids is aimed at smoothing the symptoms and alleviating the patient’s condition. For patients with early stage hemorrhoids, conservative methods will suffice. Conservative treatment based on drugs. Preparations are selected to relieve inflammation, eliminate bleeding, reduce tissue swelling, improve vein tone. It can be both systemic and local – in the form of suppositories, ointments, creams. A coloproctologist may recommend minimally invasive procedures to correct prolapsed hemorrhoids. Such operations are indicated for patients with stage 1-3 of the disease, but if it has progressed further, then only the classical surgical technique for removing nodes will help. Radical removal is a time-tested method that has to be resorted to if conservative treatment and minimally invasive interventions do not show proper effectiveness.

If you are faced with prolapsed nodes with hemorrhoids, then you need to consult a qualified coloproctologist. We are waiting for you at the reception in our multidisciplinary medical center. Call +7 (4842) 20-70-20!

FAQ

Of course not! Hemorrhoids are not a tumor, as many people think, it is associated with deformation of the vessels of the lower rectum.

The danger of untimely treatment for hemorrhoids lies in the risk of bleeding. But discomfort and bruising also occur with rectal cancer.

As soon as there is discomfort in the anus, you should immediately contact a proctologist for examination.

Hemorrhoids are not the norm either at 20, or at 50, or even at 90, since hemorrhoids are a pathology! The risk factors for the development of the disease include: a sedentary lifestyle, constipation, poor nutrition, smoking, etc. And with the advent of smartphones and computers, the activity of young people has sharply decreased, the time for reading during defecation and static sitting has increased.

Hemorrhoids are considered a chronic disease. By identifying the symptoms in the early stages and the correct behavior of the patient, an exacerbation can be avoided for a long period of time. But the disease tends to aggravate and progress if left untreated.

Rectoscopy is considered the most accurate diagnostic method and is prescribed for most patients. It allows you to visually assess the lower intestine. It passes painlessly. In the event of pain during the procedure, the question of its transfer may be raised.

Usually this is exactly what happens. Provided that there are no absolute contraindications or special requirements for preparation. In the presence of relative contraindications, therapy is postponed until they are eliminated.

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The shape of feces and what is the stool with hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoidal inflammation of the rectum is dangerous for its complications and consequences. Varicose nodes with congestion in the pelvis are filled with blood and their walls become thinner. The vessels of the rectum nourish the rectal mucosa and in the inflammatory process, bleeding may begin. Blood clots, when favorable circumstances arise, form blood clots inside the nodes. Blood clots can be carried throughout the body with blood flow.

Untreated and advanced hemorrhoids can lead to the development of purulent processes and the formation of paraproctitis.

Contents:

• What is the feces for hemorrhoids
• Pathologies affecting the shape of feces
• Loose stool
• Constipation
• Drug therapy for stool disorders

What is the feces with hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are internal and external. Internal bumps change the intestinal lumen and form a thin, ribbon-like stool when passing feces. Normally, it has a cylindrical appearance and a diameter of 2-5 cm . This form can also be with diseases of the pancreas, problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

The process of defecation during inflammation of the bumps gives unpleasant sensations, discomfort and this causes not desire, fear to defecate.

The shape of feces, its consistency affect the mucous membrane of the rectum. Loose stools, like constipation during bowel movements, irritate the hemorrhoidal bumps and injure them. If the integrity of the nodes is violated, an infectious process can join and, as it progresses, sepsis begins.

Pathologies affecting the shape of feces

Thin feces appear not only with bumps, but also with neoplasms that change the intestinal lumen as they develop. Characteristic impurities that normally should not be in the stool are mucus, blood, and a fetid odor.

The presence of mucus means that there is an inflammatory process . The nature of its allocation during defecation also has its own characteristics. Before defecation, the release of mucus with a smell is possible with bowel cancer, when the tumor is already decaying. With hemorrhoidal nodes, mucus is not present in the stool. The presence of mucus in the feces with hemorrhoids requires additional studies with mucus sampling.

Blood during discharge may indicate trauma to the bumps and can be seen after defecation on the surface of the stool in the form of a thin scarlet stream. With neoplasms, feces are mixed with bloody discharge.

The time interval for constipation is different for hemorrhoids and oncological formations.

Bowel movement in hemorrhoidal constipation occurs after about two to three days. With oncological formations, constipation can last up to a month.

Loose stools

Violation of intestinal motility, provoked by an error in nutrition or an infectious process, leads to the development of liquefied feces. It has toxic properties and under its influence the nodes are loosened, and the risk of their infection increases. Frequent defecation leads to straining, which causes the bumps to swell and fill with blood, congestion develops in the small pelvis.

In a normal state, the nodes collapse and decrease in size, but in a neglected form and in its acute course, their integrity may be violated, which will lead to hemorrhoidal bleeding.

Diarrhea is accompanied by pain in the anus and leads to dehydration.

Taking antibiotics and other medications can cause loose stools. They disrupt the normal intestinal microflora, which also causes liquefaction of feces.

Constipation

The tendency to constipation and malnutrition, its imbalance contributes to the retention of chyme, its hardening and clumping. When defecation with such problems during emptying, a physiologically determined straining is necessary, which provokes a rush of blood to the small pelvis and congestion in it. Fecal masses, when moving along the rectum, injure the nodes, and hemorrhoidal bleeding may develop.

Therapeutic diet for constipation and diarrhea

Therapeutic diet involves eating fractional, small portions throughout the day. Replacing coarse fiber, hard-to-digest foods and excluding starchy foods from the diet. These products have a fixing effect, and bowel function is normalized.

Food should be limited during the exacerbation and eat thermally processed, boiled or steamed food. This has a gentle effect on the work of the digestive tract.

The inclusion of vegetables and fruits in the diet contributes to the establishment of enzymatic processes in the body, the drinking regimen helps to soften the stool and facilitates the act of defecation. Exclusion of dairy products, but you can kefir, yogurt in limited quantities.

Diarrhea involves the use of fixing products, these are dried fruit decoctions. The inclusion of cereals on the water and the exclusion of complete dairy and sour-milk products.