1 Variations in stool diameter are generally not concerning, unless the stools become progressively thinner (“pencil-thin stools”) intermittently thin stools alternating with normal-caliber ones are not clinically significant. 1 Symptoms or signs that suggest serious disease (i.e., alarm features) include progressive weight loss, blood in the stool, abdominal or rectal mass, or anemia (in men or postmenopausal women). 1 It is extremely common and is mostly due to insufficient intake of dietary fibre. What questions should the patient be asked about her constipation?Ĭonstipation is broadly defined as unsatisfactory defecation characterized by infrequent stools, difficult stool passage or both.