Causes of Mucus in the Stool

The body often gives signs when something is wrong. If there is a problem in the digestive system, these signs can show up as changes in a person's bowel habits. Substances such as mucus might suddenly start showing up in the stool. While the cause may be benign, it can also indicate a medical problem that needs attention. It's important to know how to differentiate between normal causes of mucus in stool and causes that might mean you need to see a doctor.

1. Definition

o Mucus is a sticky, jelly-like substance produced by various parts of the body. Often it is clear, although it can also appear to be whitish, greenish, or yellow in color. Although mucus is most commonly associated with the respiratory system, it can also be produced by the intestines. Because of this, it sometimes shows up visibly in a person's stool.

Function

o Under normal circumstances, the intestines produce mucus to maintain moisture in the colon's lining and keep it lubricated. A small amount of this mucus can attach itself to stool, and it may be visible in the stool when it is expelled from the body.

Normal Causes

o It is normal to have a small amount of mucus in the stool, since this is just a by-product of the beneficial mucus produced by the intestines. The Mayo Clinic says that it's also normal from the amount of mucus in stool to increase when you are suffering from constipation or diarrhea or if the intestines are temporarily inflamed.

Abnormal Causes

o Although mucus in stool is usually normal and harmless, the Mayo Clinic says there are times when it may be a sign of a bigger problem. It could indicate an underlying medical issue such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Mucus in the stool may be abnormal if it occurs at the same time that your bowel habits change or if it lasts longer than a few weeks. If it is accompanied by blood in the stool or bleeding from the rectum, it may also be signaling a problem.

Diagnosis

o If you have mucus in your stool and believe that it might be a sign of a bigger problem, you should visit your doctor. He can take a history and perform an examination to see if there is a need for further tests. Then he can reassure you if the mucus is normal or give you a treatment plan if he finds an underlying medical condition.

What Does Mucus in the Stool Mean?

By Deb Powers,

It is not unusual to see small amounts of mucus in your stool, but there are times when it can be an indication of underlying problems in your digestive system. There are many different causes for visible mucus in your stool.

1. Function

o Your digestive tract is lined with membranes that secrete mucus. The purpose of the mucus is to lubricate your intestines so that food moves through them more easily, and to protect the lining of your stomach and intestines from digestive acid.

Identification

o Mucus is a jelly-like secretion that may be white, clear, yellow or green. It may coat the entire stool or appear in streaks on the stool. It may also be streaked with blood.

Considerations

o According to the Mayo Clinic, it's normal for there to be small amounts of mucus in the stool. It's also not unusual for there to be an increase in mucus if you have diarrhea or are constipated.

Concerns

o If you notice an increased amount of mucus in your stool for more than a few weeks, the Mayo Clinic recommends that you consult your doctor. You should also consult your doctor if the increased mucus is accompanied by blood in the stool, changes in bowel habits or unusual pain.

Possible Causes

o The conditions that can cause an increase of mucus in the stool include hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, bacterial infection and intestinal blockage.

Treatment

o The treatment that your doctor recommends will depend on his diagnosis of the underlying condition. It may include antibiotics if he finds a bacterial infection, as well as medication, lifestyle or diet changes if he diagnoses an underlying bowel condition as the problem. Doctors familiar with alternative medicine may also recommend probiotics, nutritional supplements and other natural treatments for conditions such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.