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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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History Of Long Intervals In Bowel Movement. Normal Stool Colour And Easy Movement But Less Amounts. Cause?

I move my bowels every 3 or 4 days, which is my usual frequently and has been for many years. But within the past 1 1/2 to 2 years, I've noticed that the amount of stool I pass is only about half of what I usually pass. I haven't been constipated nor have I had diarrhea, and the stool seems to be a normal brown color and is easy to pass. The only other change besides the smaller amount is that it comes out it small pieces or clumps rather than one long piece. Based on the amount of food I eat each day, I would think I'd have much bigger stools or at least more frequent ones. What could be going on, particularly if nothing in terms of my lifestyle or diet has changed?
Mon, 24 Jun 2013
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi there,

Thanks for writing in .

I don't think there is anything to worry, if your bowel movements have been that way for many years. However---once in 3-4 days is a pretty long time...water might get more absorbed from the stools resulting in hard, dry, small clumps of stool.

However, to allay your fears you might want to visit a physician/ gastroenterologist.

In the meantime, follow a healthy lifestyle:

Avoid oily/ fatty food.
Avoid smoking/alcohol.
Regular exercise 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week.
Good fibre rich food, plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily.
Avoid maida, white bread and refined food products. Switch to whole grain cereals like brown rice, whole wheat bread/pasta, oats.etc.
As soon as you wake up in the morning drink a glass of warm water and then visit the toilet. Warm water might set in the peristalsis and get the bowels to do their job effortlessly.

I'm quite hopeful with the above measures, you should pass motion every day / atleast alternate days with the desired bulk.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan
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History Of Long Intervals In Bowel Movement. Normal Stool Colour And Easy Movement But Less Amounts. Cause?

Hi there, Thanks for writing in . I don t think there is anything to worry, if your bowel movements have been that way for many years. However---once in 3-4 days is a pretty long time...water might get more absorbed from the stools resulting in hard, dry, small clumps of stool. However, to allay your fears you might want to visit a physician/ gastroenterologist. In the meantime, follow a healthy lifestyle: Avoid oily/ fatty food. Avoid smoking/alcohol. Regular exercise 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week. Good fibre rich food, plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily. Avoid maida, white bread and refined food products. Switch to whole grain cereals like brown rice, whole wheat bread/pasta, oats.etc. As soon as you wake up in the morning drink a glass of warm water and then visit the toilet. Warm water might set in the peristalsis and get the bowels to do their job effortlessly. I m quite hopeful with the above measures, you should pass motion every day / atleast alternate days with the desired bulk. Hope this helps. Regards, Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan