I Am Curious, I Have Been Having Flat Stools For

Posted on Mon, 3 Jun 2019

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 3 Jun 2019 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : I am curious, I have been having flat stools for awhile and I wonder what it could be?

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Go for colonoscopy

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for choosing "Ask a Doctor" service for your query.
Conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis or colon carcinoma may cause thin stools. Irritable bowel syndrome may cause changes in bowel habits leading to thin stools. It may also cause mucous in your stools.
Suggestion
Colonoscpy should be done.
Follow ups are welcome
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (1 hour later)

When I say thin, it's not like paper thin. Also my buttocks are big and I was wondering if that would change the shape too

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again and sorry for a bit late reply,
If buttocks are thick and tight then they may create extra pressure on rectum where stools take shape.Compressed from both sides it may take a thin shape.
In medical science nothing is fixed .One book may say paper thin other may just say thin.
Don't read between lines rather go for minimum a colonoscopy.
Even if every thing is normal colonoscopy is recommended once every 5 years after age of 40.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D