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What Causes Changed Bowel Movements?

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Posted on Thu, 6 Mar 2014
Question: Hi, any ideas what would cause my bowel movements to change. I use to be regular, every morning would go within an hour after waking up and they would be solid. Now for the past few weeks they are thick and pasty. Have not changed much in my diet. I am lactose intolerant, have not had dairy. I eat plenty of vegetables, not a lot of meat. I am 57 years old. any ideas?
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Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (12 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Colon cancer needs to be ruled out. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. Bowels movements patter change is very important symptom. Usually it appears due to diet change (I know you havent change it), stress, bacterial infection (due to some food poisoning or antibiotics course), thyroid issues or some medicines intake. As you havent mentioned any of these, I assume nothing like that have not occurred. Over the age of 50, the risk of colon cancer rises. That is why any gastrointestinal symptom, especially stool problems should be verified with colonoscopy. And this is what you should do at first. Please consult your doctor and get scheduled for colonoscopy. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5795 Questions

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What Causes Changed Bowel Movements?

Brief Answer: Colon cancer needs to be ruled out. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. Bowels movements patter change is very important symptom. Usually it appears due to diet change (I know you havent change it), stress, bacterial infection (due to some food poisoning or antibiotics course), thyroid issues or some medicines intake. As you havent mentioned any of these, I assume nothing like that have not occurred. Over the age of 50, the risk of colon cancer rises. That is why any gastrointestinal symptom, especially stool problems should be verified with colonoscopy. And this is what you should do at first. Please consult your doctor and get scheduled for colonoscopy. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.