Changes in Bowel Movements What Abnormal and Dark Stools Mean
Be aware of any abnormal changes in bowel movements such as dark bowel movements or abnormal stools. If you start experiencing difficult or frequent bowel movements, they might mean presence of rectal or colon polyps. The worst you can expect is they are signs of colon cancer.
Knowing what abnormal bowel movements are is a good step on prevention of colorectal tumors. You can have yourself checked for polyps. If rectal or colon polyps are found early, they can be removed and not cause any trouble later on.
It is common and normal for you to experience some changes in bowel movements or habits. Usually those problems are not related to cancer but are caused by...
1) a change in your diet -- you haven't been eating fiber rich foods such as vegetables and fruits, or you haven't been drinking enough water which both lead to constipation.
Diarrhea may be caused by eating something unclean or some foods that you don't normally eat.
2) your lifestyle -- too much stress can affect your digestive system. When you are under so much stress, you usually experience constipation.
3) certain medications - if you are taking iron supplements, you may have dark bowel movements.
Constipation is one of the abnormal changes in bowel movements but experiencing it once in a while is not a cause for worry.
Frequent constipation is more suspicious. It can be caused by a tumor pressing on the nerves in your spinal cord. The tumor can slow down or prevent the movements of your large intestine.
Also, tumors in the abdomen can compress, squeeze, or narrow the colon and the rectum making it hard for you to have a bowel motion. A tumor in the lining of the colon can also affect the nerve supply to the muscles and can also lead to constipation.
Here's a tip on prevention of constipation: Drink lots of water and eat more fiber-rich foods.
2) Diarrhea
Frequent bouts with diarrhea is an important sign you must not take for granted.
There are cancers that release hormones and chemicals which cause diarrhea. This is called paraneoplastic syndrome.
3) Blood In or On the Stool
Traces of blood are characteristics of abnormal stools. If you have hemorrhoids, you may experience rectal bleeding. But be aware that hemorrhoids may exist with cancer.
Therefore, even when you have hemorrhoids, it is wise that a doctor examines your entire intestinal tract when you see blood in or on your stool.
4) Unusual Color of Stool
Dark bowel movements which resemble black or tar-like stool or unusually pale or light yellow stools are abnormal colors of bowel movements.
5) Mucus or Pus in Stool
Finding traces of mucus or pus in your stool is not normal. You should see a doctor about it and have your stool tested. It doesn't necessarily mean there is a tumor in your colon. It might only mean an infection.
Now that you have an idea of what abnormal changes in your bowel movements are, don't obsess too much. They might be results of either a new diet you're trying or by a certain antibiotic you are taking. The abnormal changes may also mean a mild infection or irritable bowel syndrome.
But the possibility of an important disease such as colorectal cancer is there, especially if accompanied by other symptoms such as excessive fatigue and unexpected weight loss.
Thus it is important that changes in bowel movements are diagnosed properly.
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