7 Causes of Mucus in the Stools & When is it dangerous

Mucus is a substance that helps the stool move through the intestine. But it is usually produced in small quantities, barely enough to lubricate the intestine and mix with the stool without being perceived by the naked eye.

So when you see stool with mucus, it usually indicates the presence of an infection or other alteration at the intestinal level as an ulcer or irritable bowel syndrome. And it is important to see a gastroenterologist for a full diagnosis and identify if there is any problem that needs to be treated.

1. Food Intolerance

Food intolerance and allergies, such as sensitivity to lactose or gluten, cause inflammation of the walls of the intestine when food comes in contact with the mucosa. This can result in increased mucus production which can be seen in the stool.

In these cases, other symptoms may arise such as abdominal swelling, diarrhea, red spots on the skin, excess gas or constipation.

What to do: If intolerance to any type of food is suspected, it is important to consult a gastroenterologist for an intolerance test.

2. Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis occurs when some type of microorganism such as a bacterium or a virus infects the stomach and intestine. This causes excess mucus in the stool, intense nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite and pain in the stomach.

Normally, this type of problem arises due to the consumption of water or contaminated food. But it can also occur after prolonged use of antibiotics, as good bacteria are eliminated from the intestinal mucosa, facilitating the development of other harmful bacteria.

What to do: Gastroenteritis usually does not need specific treatment. Just rest at home. Person should also drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration caused by diarrhea. In addition to this, food should be light. Preference should be given to well cooked foods, cooked vegetables and fruits, and foods low in fat.

3. Irritable bowel

Irritable bowel causes inflammation of the intestinal mucosa that increases the amount of mucus in the stool. Although it may occur in all cases of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), mucus is more common in people with prolonged diarrhea.

Other common symptoms of IBS are excess gas, abdominal bloating, and periods of diarrhea that alternate with constipation, mainly during periods of high stress or anxiety.

What to do: If there is already a diagnosis of irritable bowel, excess stress should be avoided by taking part in leisure activities. But adequate nutrition should be taken. Person should avoid consumption of coffee, spicy foods, pepper and foods with a high fat content. If an irritable bowel is suspected, a gastroenterologist should be consulted for an assessment.

4. Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease is a chronic intestinal disease that causes constant inflammation of the walls of the intestine. This causes symptoms such as mucus in the stool, severe abdominal pain, fever, bloody diarrhea, and weakness.

Although there is not yet a specific cause for Crohn’s disease, it can arise at any stage of life, especially if the immune system is weak.

What to do: Treatment for Crohn’s disease usually includes changes in eating habits such as controlling the amount of fiber ingested and reducing the amount of fats and dairy products, including their derivatives.

5. Intestinal obstruction

Intestinal obstruction occurs when something prevents the passage of stool in the intestine. So the most common causes are hernias, a bowel twist, ingestion of some kind of object, chronic constipation, or even a tumor in the intestine.

In these cases, the mucus is produced in excess to try to push the stool. And it also generates other symptoms such as abdominal swelling, severe abdominal pain, excess gas and decreased amount of stool.

What to do: Intestinal obstruction is an emergency that needs to be treated immediately to avoid serious complications such as dilation or rupture of the intestine. So if there is any suspicion of this problem, you should immediately see a doctor.

6. Anal Fissure

The anal fissure is a relatively common problem. It consists of the presence of a small wound or tear in the mucosa that covers the anal region. This is caused mainly by large, hard and dry stools. This fissure usually causes symptoms such as diarrhea, pain when evacuating, abdominal pain, bleeding when evacuating, itching around the anus and the stool may present mucus.

What to do: The most important thing in these cases is to maintain adequate intimate hygiene. Sitz baths can also be performed to relieve pain and place healing ointments to heal the fissure more quickly.

7. Ulcerative colitis

This is an intestinal disorder resulting in intestinal ulcers and constant inflammation of the mucosa. So it is common for people with ulcerative colitis to have stool accompanied by blood, pus, or mucus.

Other symptoms that help identify a case of ulcerative colitis are diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, skin lesions, and weight loss.

What to do: It is generally recommended to increase fiber intake, through foods such as papaya, lettuce or chickpeas, to increase the volume of stool and make them less hard. In addition to this, it may be necessary to take some medications to relieve abdominal cramps or even diarrhea.

When can mucus in the stools be dangerous?

In most cases, mucus in the stool is not a dangerous situation and is easily treatable. However, if the excess mucus appears associated with other symptoms such as:

  • Bloody or pussy stools
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Exaggerated abdominal swelling
  • Constant diarrhea

It is recommended to consult gastroenterologist. Since it can be early symptoms of more serious illnesses like ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and even cancer.


Nilam Mehta - Author

Nilam is the owner and writer of EverydayCares.com. She is an experienced pharmaceutical professional and believes that many of the health problems can be cured naturally at home. She enjoys reading scholarly medical journals and gets inspiration to write up-to-date practical information and resources and makes sure all of the articles are of the highest quality. The best way to reach her is via [email protected]

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