Treatment of colorectal cancer will vary depending on the stage and your overall health.Ĭhemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted drug therapy, and surgery may be options recommended to you by your healthcare and cancer care team. In the case of colorectal cancer, it may take a while for any symptoms to develop. It’s important to note that these symptoms can also indicate a problem that isn’t cancer. Blood in stool, which may appear dark brown or black.A feeling like you need to have a bowel movement that isn’t relieved by having one.A change in regular bowel movements that lasts for more than a few days.In rare cases, stringy stool can also be a sign of colorectal cancer. However, if you’re experiencing any severe symptoms, it’s important to reach out to your provider for treatment guidance. Other infections, like salmonella, may clear up on their own within a few days. In the case of a parasitic infection (like giardia), your provider may recommend taking a prescription anti-parasitic medication to clear the infection. Treatment will also vary depending on the type of infection present. The symptoms of an intestinal infection will vary depending on the type of infection you have. You can catch these infections through contaminated food or water or, in some cases, after close contact with someone who is sick. Gastrointestinal infections that can cause stringy stool include: Stringy stool can also be a sign of an intestinal infection. Though experts aren’t sure what causes IBS, speaking with a provider about your history and symptoms can help them to make appropriate recommendations for lifestyle changes, medicines, probiotics, and other therapies that can help. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) refers to a group of abdominal symptoms that can occur together.

Get Started Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) This isn’t usually cause for concern but if you’re experiencing any other symptoms, like nausea or fever, reach out to your healthcare provider as soon as possible.Ĭoncerned about your stool? Chat with a medical provider through K Health. Undigested food in stoolĮating a high-fiber diet can result in seeing undigested food in stool, some of which may be stringy in appearance, like banana. Needing help to have a bowel movement, like using your hands to press on your stomachįor many, simple lifestyle changes can alleviate constipation, including incorporating more fiber into their diet, exercising more regularly, and staying hydrated.īut some people who experience chronic constipation may require different interventions, such as prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medication and bowel retraining.Feeling like you’re unable to completely empty the stool from your rectum.Feeling like there’s a blockage in the rectum.Having fewer than three bowel movements per week.Symptoms and signs of constipation include: Many people experience constipation from time-to-time. There are several possible causes, some of which may require medical attention. Stringy poop isn’t always cause for concern. In some cases, stringy stool can be a result of your diet or how your muscles contract in the large intestine when working to concentrate waste. Stringy or pencil-thin stool will look different from a well-formed stool, but it’s not necessarily a sign of an underlying condition. Stringy stool is also sometimes referred to as “pencil-thin” stool. Stool regularity and appearance can be important indicators of overall bowel health, and good bowel health can support a healthy digestive tract and body. In this article, I’ll explain the possible causes of stringy stools, other symptoms that may present, and when you may want to reach out to a healthcare provider for help with your digestive health. Understanding the possible causes of stringy, fiber-like stools can help you determine whether to seek medical attention. Though not always pleasant, keeping an eye on your stool’s appearance can be an important preventive health measure.Ī change in stool texture or consistency, like finding stringy or pencil-thin stools, can be a sign of an underlying problem.Ī change in stool can also simply be a result of your diet.

Pencil thin stool