Bowel Movement Issues/Worries

[bengalsreds20]

For about the past month it seems like my bowel movements have changed.  I used to go almost every day, now it's almost every other day and usually I don't go very much.  I also feel like I'm just constipated all the time and I have to force it out.  I got sick in January for about a week and battled heartburn for about a month after that.  That problem is thankfully over but I don't think I've fully recovered because I'm always constipated.

Also sometimes when I go, this doesn't happen every time, there is like a white stringy mucus like substance on my stools.  It's not a lot, just a little bit on the stools.  Other times I go it is completely normal.

Could my problem be poor diet and/or lack of exercise?  I haven't really had time to exercise because the weather has been too cold and I've been to busy with school, I don't know if that is causing it or just a lack of proper diet.

I'm kind of thinking I have IBS or some type of bowel disorder, but there is always a thought in the back of my mind it could be something more serious.  Any suggestions or ideas?

[Slangevar]

It could definitely be lack of exercise, poor diet and lack of vitamins. Could also be a lingering issue from the heartburn problem you had in February... the systems are all connected.

It's worth mentioning to your GP if it continues, but you're probably fine. Maybe up that vitamin D and get to the gym. :-)

[bengalsreds20]

Thank you for the reply, I've been trying to deal with all my anxiety issues over the past few months but I tend to just take one thing and focus on it to the point that it absolutely beats me down.  I'll move from one thing to another, it never ends.

[Slangevar]

Don't we all!  In the past few months, I've cycled through liver disease, colon cancer, Crohn's disease, esophageal cancer, cystic fibrosis and throat cancer.  And it was all the more frustrating because I'd been in "remission" from my anxiety for about a year. But I'm working on it. 

[mollyfin]

I've had this with IBS from time to time.  It's probably diet-related, though mucus in stool is a common IBS sign.  If increasing fiber intake doesn't help you could ask your doctor about IBS and if they recommend doing anything.  However, with my IBS it's always been "there's really nothing we can do, just take over the counter stuff."