Concerned about fiber strings in poop

Fiber Strings in Poop: What Are They and Why Do I Have Them?

If you are experiencing bowel movements that contain fiber strings in poop, then you may be suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or constipation. The symptoms are common and have been recognized for centuries. It was Chinese physicians that first wrote books about dealing with ‘string of pearls’ disease, which is something that happens when people are:

  • Constipated
  • Colicky (bowel movement is difficult and painful)
  • Eating the right foods but not staying hydrated

The body needs fiber and water when you are constipated, but eating food rich in fiber isn’t going to help you get normal bowel movements. Fiber works by absorbing water in the body, which makes it easier to pass waste into the colon and out of the body. If you are eating fiber, but not drinking water, this can result in you producing poop with little fiber strings attached at the ends. This situation makes it harder for the next plug of poop to come out, and you may need to strain to get it out.

Fiber strings in poop

People who experience fiber-like stringy poop may suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, without suffering from diarrhea. If you have IBS, you may need to strain excessively to get the stool out. There may also be a fair amount of pain involved, as well. So how can someone tell that their fiber strings in poop are a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome?
There are different signs that can indicate, which are:

  • You may have belly bloat after you eat
  • You get constipation that doesn’t go away even after you take laxatives
  • You may experience mild to severe abdominal pain after meals
  • You may feel faint or sweat profusely, during and after defecation

If you have any of the signs mentioned above, you may suffer from irritable bowel syndrome and should get in touch with your doctor to discuss treatment options. However, most people are too embarrassed to discuss bowel movements with their doctors. If you think that isn’t an option for you, then you can try out the following:

Most people don’t drink enough water during the day. This is one of the main reasons why they experience irregular bowel movements and fiber strings in poop. So, remember to eat a lot of fiber, drink plenty of fluids, and talk with your doctor about your situation.

Why do I need water to poop?

Everybody knows how terrible it can be when you can’t go poop.  

Fortunately though, drinking plenty of water can help your bowels and prevent constipation from happening. By drinking enough water, you can help make your movements softer and easy to pass.

The average adult should try to drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of fluid per day.  

When we don’t get enough water in our body, our colon ends up taking hydration from our stool—thus causing poop that’s very dry and hard to pass. If you want to avoid constipation, drink plenty of water.