3. Oddly Shaped Stool
Generally speaking, the ideal shape for stool is long, solid and cylindrical — an indication that the body absorbed all the nutrients it needed before smoothly flushing the waste out of the body by way of the colon. So, what does it mean if your stool looks drastically different than this?
Oddly shaped stool could indicate that there’s a problem with the colon. For example, if the stool is small or ribbon-like, it could be an indication that the body’s waste proceeded past an obstacle or even a series of obstacles — such as polyps or tumors. If you frequently notice that your stool takes an odd shape, talk to your doctor about the issue.