Pencil Thin Stools: Symptoms

What other symptoms might occur with pencil thin stools?

Pencil thin stools may accompany other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Conditions that affect the digestive tract may also involve other body systems.

Digestive tract symptoms that may occur along with pencil thin stools

Pencil thin stools may accompany other symptoms affecting the digestive system including:

• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Abdominal swelling, distension or bloating
• Abnormally foul-smelling stools
• Bloody stool (blood may be red, black or tarry in texture)
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Fecal incontinence (inability to control stools)
• Gas
• Mucus or undigested food in feces
• Nausea with or without vomiting
• Painful bowel movements
• Urgent need to pass stool

Other symptoms that may occur along with pencil thin stools

Pencil thin stools may accompany symptoms related to other body systems including:

• Bloody or pink-colored urine (hematuria)
• Body aches
• Bone pain
• Difficult urination
• Fatigue
• Fever
• General ill feeling
• Unexplained weight loss

Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition

In some cases, pencil thin stools may be a symptom of a life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these life-threatening symptoms including:

• Bloody stool (blood may be red, black or tarry in texture)
• Change in level of consciousness or alertness, such as passing out or unresponsiveness
• Change in mental status or sudden behavior change, such as confusion, delirium, lethargy, hallucinations and delusions
• High fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Inability to pass stool
• Not producing any urine, or an infant who does not produce the usual amount of wet diapers
• Severe abdominal or rectal pain
• Vomiting blood or rectal bleeding