
This telescoping is more likely to occur in newborns. Intussusception is a condition where one part of the colon slips into the adjacent part.These types of obstruction lead symptoms such as vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain and bloody stools. This is more likely to occur at the cecum of the large intestine or the sigmoid colon and the small intestine may also become trapped. Volvulus is a condition where the bowel becomes twisted.There can be serious complications if the hernia becomes strangulated where the blood supply to the colon is cut off. Hernias are protrusions in the abdominal wall and if a portion of the colon becomes trapped within these pouches it can cause narrowing.The serious nature of this condition as well as the fact that colorectal cancer is one of the more common malignancies, it should always be a consideration when pencil thin stools occur and persist. Changes in appetite, weight loss, anorectal bleeding and pain are some of the symptoms that may be present but often there are no symptoms in the early stages. This includes colorectal cancer and anal cancer. Cancer is another possible causes of pencil thin stools due to narrowing.At times there may be no symptoms of these polyps and it is discovered upon diagnostic investigations like a colonoscopy. These masses can be benign or precancerous. Colon polyps are outgrowths from the inner wall of the colon.Pain and rectal bleeding may also be present. Small amounts of pencil thin stool may eventually be passed out after straining. It causes and obstruction although liquid stool may seem around the mass.

Fecal impaction arises when stool becomes a hard dry mass in the lower bowels.Mucus may be present in the stool but usually there is no blood. The exact cause is unknown but it is not due to any disease. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder where there is alteration of the bowel habit (constipation or diarrhea) along with abdominal pain.Alterations of bowel habit (usually diarrhea), pain, blood and/or mucus in the stool are some of the symptoms of IBD. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an autoimmune condition where there is extensive inflammation of the bowels.In severe cases there may be bloody diarrhea. It usually starts suddenly and there is severe diarrhea which is at times accompanied by nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. Gastroenteritis and enterocolitis are common diarrheal conditions caused by infections.The latter is usually less serious and causes short term thinning of the stools. Any cause of diarrhea may also result in pencil thin stools. Even abnormal distension of the bowel or damage to the nerves that control bowel motility may contribute to obstructions within the bowel. This may arise with a mass or constriction of the bowel. Causes of Pencil Thin StoolsĪny narrowing or obstruction of the bowel can lead to thin bowel movements. However, pencil thin stools can also be a sign of serious conditions such as bowel cancer which can be life-threatening. Sometimes it occurs with acute diarrheal illnesses that are not severe and resolve within a few days even without treatment. It is usually associated with narrowing within the lower parts of the large intestine. Pencil thin stools can occur due to a host of causes. The odd bout of pencil thin bowel movement is not a cause for concern but it should be investigated if it persists. This means that the terminal part of the colon, rectum and anal canal play a role in the thickness of the stool provided that the stool is of a soft consistency but not liquid. The thickness of stool is determined by the passage it travels through as it is expelled from the body. On the other end, stool that is very thin may also be a symptom of some underlying disease.


However, the thickness of stool is almost never considered unless the stool is very hard and large.

For example, black bowel movement, watery stool or passing stool more then 3 times a day would be considered abnormal for most people. Changes in color, consistency and frequency of bowel movements are often considered as symptoms of various diseases.
