mtafs
05-10-2006, 10:10 AM
hey everyone! i just had a quick (or maybe not so quick) question...
since the word "narrow" is fairly subjective, i was wondering if anyone could give me an idea of what is medically considered a "narrow" bowel movement.
every since i can remember, i've had a pretty touchy stomach and it's not uncommon for me to get diarrhea a few times a week (generally after eating at a restaurant). it's also struck me recently that i haven't had a quote unquote "solid" bowel movement in some time (1 piece, the size and shape of a banana) it's generally multiple medium sized pieces; for the most part formed and extremely soft (i.e. barely holding together). they come with little strain (bm's are very easy) and i feel empty after i'm done.
the few times my stool has been more solid, it been narrow - NOT in width but in depth. about the depth of my pointer finger. when this has happened, it's generally later in the day when the urge to pass my bowels isn't that great and i'm probably forcing it a bit more.
a little background: i'm 29, about 320 pounds, 6'2. i was a vegetarian for many years and within a month of eating meat again, went on atkins. i lost a lot of weight (90 lbs) and gained it all back plus 25. this has lead to a general depression. i get less than 8 hours sleep a night and until recently, ate 75% of my meals at restaurants (fast food or sit down). i would say my eating habits are poor and i'm 100% certain this is cause for SOME of my problems. i'm an extremely busy person and would quite frequently say i'm under stress.
i've gotta say, i'm a little afraid of the problems being something bigger... like the big "C".
i haven't had blood in my stool, nor has it ever been black. no abdominal pains unless it's prior to diarrhea, no weight loss ect... basically the consitincy of my stool has changed and it's occasionally thin.
any ideas? thoughts? especially on what's considered "narrow"?
thanks everyone!
since the word "narrow" is fairly subjective, i was wondering if anyone could give me an idea of what is medically considered a "narrow" bowel movement.
every since i can remember, i've had a pretty touchy stomach and it's not uncommon for me to get diarrhea a few times a week (generally after eating at a restaurant). it's also struck me recently that i haven't had a quote unquote "solid" bowel movement in some time (1 piece, the size and shape of a banana) it's generally multiple medium sized pieces; for the most part formed and extremely soft (i.e. barely holding together). they come with little strain (bm's are very easy) and i feel empty after i'm done.
the few times my stool has been more solid, it been narrow - NOT in width but in depth. about the depth of my pointer finger. when this has happened, it's generally later in the day when the urge to pass my bowels isn't that great and i'm probably forcing it a bit more.
a little background: i'm 29, about 320 pounds, 6'2. i was a vegetarian for many years and within a month of eating meat again, went on atkins. i lost a lot of weight (90 lbs) and gained it all back plus 25. this has lead to a general depression. i get less than 8 hours sleep a night and until recently, ate 75% of my meals at restaurants (fast food or sit down). i would say my eating habits are poor and i'm 100% certain this is cause for SOME of my problems. i'm an extremely busy person and would quite frequently say i'm under stress.
i've gotta say, i'm a little afraid of the problems being something bigger... like the big "C".
i haven't had blood in my stool, nor has it ever been black. no abdominal pains unless it's prior to diarrhea, no weight loss ect... basically the consitincy of my stool has changed and it's occasionally thin.
any ideas? thoughts? especially on what's considered "narrow"?
thanks everyone!