In Reply to: Thin stool, really worried!!!! posted by Betty on December 01, 2000 at 18:52:19:

: Are thin stools really a sign of colon cancer? this worries me because it happens to me a lot when i try to help my constapation. Please somebody help me.
Dear Betty: You may have irritable bowel syndrome, which can cause thin stools. Irritable bowel can cause constipation. IBS is a condition that is annoying, but you will not die from it. I've had it for 20 years; however, I was diagnosed by a doctor for it. Don't fret over thin stools, but you should have a proper diagnosis from a doctor. I take Citricel for my IBS, as with IBS (and constipation) a person must keep their bowel moving. When a person has IBS, the bowel, which is a large muscle, does not contract smoothly; it contracts either too much or not enough. Too much causes diarrhea and too little causes constipation. Hope I've been of some help. PatG