Why does the stool become thinner

Thin stools may be caused by a variety of reasons, such as intestinal stenosis, tumors, constipation or inflammation. You need to analyze and seek medical attention in time according to the severity of the symptoms. The following is a step-by-step analysis of the possible causes and solutions for thin stools.

1) Influence of intestinal stenosis or tumor

Thin stools may be related to intestinal stenosis, which is mainly caused by intestinal inflammation or tumor compression. Tumors such as colorectal cancer can block the intestinal cavity, causing the stool to be long and thin. If accompanied by symptoms such as blood in the stool, abdominal pain, and rapid weight loss, you should seek medical attention immediately. It is recommended to perform colonoscopy or imaging examinations to assist in diagnosis. Once the possibility of a tumor is confirmed, further treatment such as surgical resection, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy is required.

2) Constipation causes difficulty in passing intestinal contents

The common reason why long-term constipation causes stool to become thinner is that stool is accumulated for a long time, which causes the intestinal wall to be squeezed, making defecation difficult and affecting the shape of the stool. Constipation can be relieved by increasing dietary fiber intake (such as oats, brown rice, green leafy vegetables), ensuring a daily water intake of 1500-2000 ml, and exercising regularly (such as 40 minutes of brisk walking, yoga) to improve constipation symptoms. If the above adjustments are still ineffective, laxatives such as lactulose or polyethylene glycol can be used for a short period of time, but long-term dependence should be avoided.

3) Possibility of inflammatory bowel disease or infection

Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can cause swelling and narrowing of the intestinal wall, which in turn causes thinner stools. Gastrointestinal infections such as acute enteritis caused by bacteria or viruses may also cause narrowing of the intestines or changes in the shape of stools due to inflammation. Inflammatory diseases are usually accompanied by abdominal pain, diarrhea, or bloody stools. For treatment, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs (such as sulfasalazine) or immunomodulators (such as infliximab) should be taken under the guidance of a doctor for targeted treatment.

4) Intestinal dysfunction after trauma or surgery

Scarring after intestinal surgery may lead to intestinal stenosis and small stools; traumatic feedback is specifically manifested as intestinal motility disorders. In such cases, it is necessary to seek medical attention for professional evaluation, including imaging examinations and intestinal function tests, and to assess whether dilation surgery or intestinal function recovery treatment is needed based on the results.

If the stool becomes thinner and occurs repeatedly, it is recommended to go to the gastroenterology department for a comprehensive examination as soon as possible to rule out the possibility of serious diseases. By identifying the cause early, the problem can be prevented from getting worse and timely intervention can be made to improve the quality of life.