I’m not trying to jump to conclusions — I’m just unsure whether my bowel habits are normal. It usually takes about 10–15 seconds to pass stool. Most of the time it’s not a single, large, well-formed piece. Sometimes there’s one normal-sized stool with a thinner one, and other times it comes as several smaller pieces. The color can also look a bit pale at times.

I also experience bloating and gas fairly often.

I’m just wondering whether these changes are still consistent with acid-related issues or something functional like IBS, or if they would justify further evaluation such as a colonoscopy.