How to make feces more solid?

[ProjectX]

The past few weeks I've been having problems with this. After I take a dump it gets really messy to clean up. I have to use tons of tissue to wipe and sometimes it bleeds and hurts because I've been wiping too much. Can it be due to a lack of fiber? What should I be eating more?

[PianoManGidley]

Describe your current diet.

[Kaspian]

Go to a doctor ASAP. Conventional medicine has its weaknesses and blindnesses, but there are some things it's really good at. The combo of tiredness in the afternoon plus digestional distress sounds like a parasite or infection to me. If you go to a doctor and find out that it is, than you have a straight-forward course of action to take toward feeling better and having more energy. If it's not, than at least you know, and there might be something a doctor can see that we all (including you) are missing.

Many of the suggestions in the other thread are good, but if you've got a stomach bug, they'll only go so far....

[Dan.Linehan]

Go see a doctor on this one, and quickly.

There should never be blood in your stool. It's a big deal. It is a strong indication that something internally is wrong.

[Iamsuperman]

@ Dan: He/she might have ment that it bleeds because they're wiping so much. Projectx, is the blood from wiping or internal bleeding?

[openeyes]

Though this doesn't solve the initial problem, excessive wiping may be eliminated by using a bidet. Handheld ones that attach to a nearby sink can be fairly inexpensive.

[Bitsy]

Eat rice.

[Dharma]

Switch to baby wipes in the bathroom as to not rub yourself raw. There are also little travel wipes you can keep in a pocket when you're away from home.

I'd see a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine. They are usually acupuncturists too. (but not all acupuncturists are TCMs) It sounds like you've got an imbalance and you can get back into balance with certain foods and probably some herbs prescribed by the TCM practitioner.

You can also look at is as a reflection of self -- are you having trouble letting go of something right now in your life?

[Vantage72]

Originally Posted by ProjectX

The past few weeks I've been having problems with this. After I take a dump it gets really messy to clean up. I have to use tons of tissue to wipe and sometimes it bleeds and hurts because I've been wiping too much. Can it be due to a lack of fiber? What should I be eating more?

Yes should eat more fibre.

The following foods are all good sources of dietary fibre…

* Wholemeal, granary and softgrain varieties of bread
* Jacket potatoes, new potatoes in their skins and baked potato skins
* Wholegrain breakfast cereals, eg. Weetabix, branflakes, unsweetened muesli, Shreddies and porridge oats
* Wholemeal pasta and brown rice
* Beans, lentils and peas
* Fresh and dried fruits – particularly if the skins are eaten
* Vegetables – particularly if the skins are eaten
* Nuts and seeds
* Wholemeal flour
High Fibre Food

A very easy way to boost your fibre intake is to add flaxseeds to your cereals.

And yes you should see a doctor. If there is blood in your stool, go see the doctor. It may be nothing serious, but still do it.

[Rockchick26]

While we're on the subject,what can you do if it is too hard? Isn't it supposed to be soft?

[Vantage72]

Originally Posted by Rockchick26

While we're on the subject,what can you do if it is too hard? Isn't it supposed to be soft?

It's supposed to be in the middle of hard and soft.

It should come out fairly easy, without putting hard pressure on it.
It should easily wash away in your toilet, without leaving a lot of marks.

What you can do if it's too hard? If your fibre intake is really high, you may want to lower it. Otherwise I don't know how to do it. Google propably does.

[ProjectX]

Originally Posted by Kaspian

Go to a doctor ASAP. Conventional medicine has its weaknesses and blindnesses, but there are some things it's really good at. The combo of tiredness in the afternoon plus digestional distress sounds like a parasite or infection to me. If you go to a doctor and find out that it is, than you have a straight-forward course of action to take toward feeling better and having more energy. If it's not, than at least you know, and there might be something a doctor can see that we all (including you) are missing.

Many of the suggestions in the other thread are good, but if you've got a stomach bug, they'll only go so far....

By parasite do you mean like a tapeworm? How long do they live inside a body?

Originally Posted by Iamsuperman

@ Dan: He/she might have ment that it bleeds because they're wiping so much. Projectx, is the blood from wiping or internal bleeding?

Its from too much wiping.

I've been trying to get more fiber from wheat germ. I put it on my rice, my shakes etc.

[Jennihul]

You need Metamucil. You have bleeding hemorrhoids from having messy, non-firm stools and too much wiping. Psyllium fiber is pretty neutral as far as adverse reactions go. Try once a day for a couple weeks and see how well you do. If the bleeding remains or your stools get dark like coffee grounds, you could have a more serious internal bleeding. But it would be stupid to assume you have a parasite or colon tumor at this point.

I buy a psyllium fiber called Konsyl which has no sweetners, so it's better for your overall health. Sweetners don't do much for the grainy texture anyway. Just follow the directions closely with regard to how much water to drink.

Jennifer

[ProjectX]

Originally Posted by Jennihul

You need Metamucil. You have bleeding hemorrhoids from having messy, non-firm stools and too much wiping. Psyllium fiber is pretty neutral as far as adverse reactions go. Try once a day for a couple weeks and see how well you do. If the bleeding remains or your stools get dark like coffee grounds, you could have a more serious internal bleeding. But it would be stupid to assume you have a parasite or colon tumor at this point.

I buy a psyllium fiber called Konsyl which has no sweetners, so it's better for your overall health. Sweetners don't do much for the grainy texture anyway. Just follow the directions closely with regard to how much water to drink.

Jennifer

Where can I buy psyllium? In the pharmacy? GNC?

[Vantage72]

Originally Posted by ProjectX

Its from too much wiping.

How can you know for sure?

In my opinion, you can not know for sure.

[Kaspian]

Originally Posted by ProjectX

By parasite do you mean like a tapeworm? How long do they live inside a body?

There are a variety of intestinal parasites: giardia, tapeworms, amoebas, hookworms, roundworms, and others. My mom picked an amoeba while traveling in a third world country and lived with it for months before seeing a doctor. (Meaning that it didn't go away on its own...)

Originally Posted by Jennihul

But it would be stupid to assume you have a parasite or colon tumor at this point.

Maybe, maybe not. Combined with the tiredness in the afternoon reported in the other thread, an intestinal parasite certainly seems possible. Whether the assumption is right or wrong, this is a case where he should see a doctor.

[ProjectX]

Originally Posted by Kaspian

There are a variety of intestinal parasites: giardia, tapeworms, amoebas, hookworms, roundworms, and others. My mom picked an amoeba while traveling in a third world country and lived with it for months before seeing a doctor. (Meaning that it didn't go away on its own...)



Maybe, maybe not. Combined with the tiredness in the afternoon reported in the other thread, an intestinal parasite certainly seems possible. Whether the assumption is right or wrong, this is a case where he should see a doctor.

If I do see the doctor what should I say?

[openeyes]

Originally Posted by Dharma

Switch to baby wipes in the bathroom as to not rub yourself raw.

And for something a bit stronger in order to deal with the pain until things are back to normal, one might consider hemorrhoid pads that are used in lieu of toilet paper, such as Tucks with witch hazel or Fleet pads (with anesthetic).

[Vantage72]

Originally Posted by ProjectX

If I do see the doctor what should I say?

Originally Posted by ProjectX

The past few weeks I've been having problems with this. After I take a dump it gets really messy to clean up. I have to use tons of tissue to wipe and sometimes it bleeds and hurts because I've been wiping too much. Can it be due to a lack of fiber? What should I be eating more?

[Ninja]

Blood in your feces = bad news. Go to your doctor!

[Jennihul]

Originally Posted by ProjectX

Where can I buy psyllium? In the pharmacy? GNC?

It's in Metamucil. Over the counter fiber supplement. In any pharmacy or supermarket, at least in America. I recommend you use the mix, not the pills. My personal results sucked with the pills. Just once a day should do it.

Waiting a couple weeks to see if your bowel movements improve and your bleeding stops is not dangerous.

I am concerned about the wheat. Wheat germ. Whatever. Wheat is barely tolerated by most people and NOT tolerated by a full third of the population though many don't even realize the damage they are doing to themselves eating it. They just blame other things for their lethargy, skin rashes, unpredictable bowels, aches, pains, heartburn, dizziness, headaches, obesity, stomach pains, bloating, etc.

Less wheat. More psyllium. (Be careful of Benefiber. It's wheat gluten.)

Jennifer

[sgregory]

Blood in stools isn't always because of blood IN the stools. He's saying he's wiping a lot and all of that, this means the blood is most likely from the outer parts not the inner points. I had this same situation a few months ago. You don't have to go worry too much yet.

Take the metamucil and your stools will get better over a few days. Try apple cider vinegar, too. It helps with digestion. Look it up.

If after a few weeks or so you still have blood in stools even though you aren't wiping as hard, ect then you can worry.

I'd start taking apple cider vinegar and mincing garlic on a daily basis even if you don't think you have any parasites. If you do, they will help. If not, they are still fantastic for your health. Look up on google the specifics.

[Jimmy123]

Fiber but stay away from supplements and just eat lots of whole grains I like Wasa whole grain crackers but remember to drink allot of water and ease the fiber intake slowly

[Champ]

I've had the same problem as projectx and I just started using metamucil.... so far it seems to be working.

[Alison Jenkins]

If you have had a change in your bowel motions you should always get this checked out by a doctor. You may have something like irritible bowel syndrome. Do not self treat here as it may not be a pile, etc

If you have not been having enough fibre you are more likely to have small solid stools. Have you been increasing the fibre and then the problem began?

Any signs of bleeding should always be investigated unless you are able to see exactly where the tear is and the bleeding. Don't make assumptions.

As to what to say to the Dr - tell them exactly what you have told us. This is a very common problem

Alison

[ProjectX]

The past few days my stool has come out more solid and less messy. And I didn't change my diet taht much. I've been drinking more blended fruits with protein shake. Thats it. Very peculiar.

[bluehalls]

Hi,

Hope I'm not jumping in this thread, but I have the exact same problem.

The tiny bit of blood and bit of pain occurs after spending 15-30 mins wiping... because I wipe and then I poo again (a tiny mushy bit), wipe it, wait and poo a second time (tiny mushy bit), wipe it, wait and poo sometimes a third and then even a fourth time. The stool is like split into 4 pieces and it's so mushy it does not come out in one piece and takes forever as I just described.

I never take breakfast could be that, I also take almost no fruit but apart from that and once daily coffee my diet is not bad. I don't take junk food almost never, the only sugar is with coffee. I eat pasta, fish, meat, sometimes vegetables, rice...

I should start eating more fibre than or not since someone recommended fibre but Alison Jenkins says if I lack fibre in diet they should be small and solid. But mine although small are not solid.

Any help?

[firenexx]

Before people do what they did in 2008 and jump all over this saying "GO SEE A DOCTOR BLOOD IN STOOL," I will bold this:
There is not blood in OP or this guy's stool, because he would see it in the toilet; it is from excess wiping.
There, I just eliminated 95% of useless replies to your post. You are welcome.

So your anus is raw and dry and bleeding so you need to stop wiping it, so poop less. For a couple days at least. Don't do it 4 times in a row just because there's a little more that needs to come out. Hold it in for a little longer because if you have 20 BMs a day you will only make the bleeding problem worse.
If there is a sink in your bathroom, try wetting the toilet paper. Cold water, not warm. Cold closes pores heals dry skin. Warm opens them and makes skin dry out more. This is cheaper than baby wipes. Also you can use lotion, but don't use the kind with parabens because then you will get skin cancer when you are 50.
Consider a bidet, it saves on paper waste.

Pasta, fish meat, rice are not necessarily the best sources of fiber. Eat a lot more fruit and vegetables and this thing will sort itself out.
There is not really a problem with not eating breakfast, as long as you eat enough throughout the day. Just eat more fruit and fiber-rich foods.

So maybe you have enough fibre to make them not too hard, but not enough to make them larger. So a little less fibre and they will be small AND solid, and a little more and they will be neither small nor solid.

Eat your fruit and veggies! Oh and cut back on the pasta and rice there buddy. Not the best "staples" and not good for your blood sugar OR your poop.

[SkylightMT]

Don't wipe so much. Just wait until you're completely done; don't wipe after every bloop. And use baby wipes which are moist and more gentle. You're causing yourself trauma, is all. Its behavioral, not digestive. There is a huge range of normal when it comes to poop consistency.

[bluehalls]

Hi,

ok thanks for the tips!!

Karl