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i want to ask if i should be concerned with a very distinct change in my bowel movements?

By April 9, 2009 - 11:50am
 
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It is an a little embarrasing to address this issue but i have had responses to other health questions on this site that i have found to be helpful and i would like to hear from others besides my dr.
I have always had healthy bowel movements in that they are usually solid and long and thick. In the past few months my movements have become very pebble like, small and single little pebbles! i have no abdominal pains and i dont feel constipated, but something is up.

I know this is a subject that is hard to talk about but what the hell... i cant be the only one out there that has had this happened to them and i would appreciate others stepping forward and sharing with me their experience.

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thank you all for your responses. I have not changed my diet at all but i do consume much to much sugar in my daily diet. aside from that however i eat a pretty good diet daily. I have recently taken up walking at a pretty good speed also. I am walking between 4-8 miles 3 times a week, which i love.
i looked up on the internet some colon cleanser remedies also and have now started the psyllum husks ( i think that is the right term) and have already noticed a much needed improvement.
i think i will take this treatment once a day as it is not terrible at all and see how things continue to progress.
again thank you all
this site is very helpful
sincerely

April 14, 2009 - 6:43am

How long has the change in your stools been happening?

If you have any pain, discomfort or there is any bleeding, please call your doctor if these symptoms do not go away after a week or two. (Of course, severe abdominal pain should warrant a call to your doctor today).

As rlyons and Kristin mentioned, a change in bowel movement that you described is most likely due to your diet (including water), medication, stress or lack of exercise.

I just found some information about what you are describing, and it is called "pellet stool".

According to alternative Chinese medicine (from one source), the thought that "excessive intake of red meat, wheat, sugar, and alcohol are believed to cause congestion and heat in the body", and can lead to pellet stools.

To remedy pellet stools, make sure you are not eating the above foods in excess, increase your consumption of water, practice stress-reducing techniques (yoga, deep breathing, leisure walk), and exercise.

Fiber may also be good to add to your diet, as it increases the weight and size of your stool and softens it. A bulky stool is easier to pass, decreasing your chance of constipation. If you have loose, watery stools, fiber may also help to solidify the stool because it absorbs water and adds bulk to stool.

Do any of these causes or possible solutions resonate with your situation?

April 9, 2009 - 1:51pm

Are you getting enough sleep? Are you stressed?

April 9, 2009 - 12:34pm

Has your diet changed at all? Are you on medication?
Sometimes these things can change the look of your "movements".

April 9, 2009 - 12:02pm
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