A small amount of mucus in stool is most of the time nothing to worry about. Stool normally contains a small amount of mucus, a jelly-like substance that your intestines make to keep the lining of your colon moist and lubricated. But you should definitely talk to your doctor if you notice an increased amount of mucus in stool, especially if it begins happening regularly or if it's accompanied by bleeding or a change in bowel habits. Larger amounts of mucus in stool, associated with diarrhea, may be caused by certain intestinal infections. Bloody mucus in stool, or mucus accompanied by abdominal pain, can represent more serious conditions — Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and even cancer in some serious cases.
When is mucus not normal?
A large amount of visible mucus in your stool isn’t normal and might be a sign of a problem. If you begin seeing mucus in your stool, the levels are probably already elevated. Excess mucus in the stool is sometimes accompanied by other symptoms, which may be a sign of a bigger problem. These symptoms include:
- blood or pus in the stool
- abdominal pain, cramping, or bloating
- changes in bowel movements or habits
Causes
The mucous membrane of the large intestine helps stool to pass. A "normal" bowel movement will not produce much mucus. Yellow or clear mucus is present in such little amounts that the naked eye would not notice it. When stool has visible mucus, it can be a sign of bacterial infections, anal fissures, a bowel obstruction, or Crohn's disease. This type of warning sign is the body's way of saying stop, look, and listen.
Other signs to look for:
- Increased amounts of mucus
- Blood or pus in the stool
- Stomach pain, cramping, or bloating
- Sudden changes in stool frequency, consistency, or color
When to Talk to the Doctor
Seeing mucus in or on your stool is a reason to see a physician. This is especially true if the mucus is accompanied by blood in the stool, diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, or vomiting. If mucus in the stool is a fairly regular occurrence because of an already diagnosed condition like IBS or ulcerative colitis, it's still important to monitor it. Marking down what time of day it happens and estimating how much mucus is present is important. Bringing this information to the doctor will help in finding out what might be causing the increase in mucus.
Diagnosis
There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment for abnormal mucus in the stool. To treat the excess mucus, your doctor will need to diagnose and treat any underlying problems, which may be related to inflammation in your colon. If additional information is needed, your doctor may request more tests. These may include:
- blood test
- stool culture
- urinalysis
- colonoscopy
- endoscopy
Treatment
Treatment for mucus in the stool is going to depend on what is causing the problem. Mucus might be a result of inflammation, and in that case, there's going to be a need to treat it before it causes further problems. When the mucus is caused by IBS or IBD, getting those conditions under control is going to help in stopping the mucus production in the large intestine. The increased mucus production might mean that a change in treatment could be needed or that a current treatment is no longer as effective as it was.
You should see a gastroenterologist, a doctor who specializes in disorders of the GI tract, if you notice excess mucus and experience other symptoms of a GI problem. Make sure to keep track of your symptoms, how long you’ve been experiencing them, and what makes them better or worse. It’s also important to make an effort to improve the health of your colon by eating foods rich in prebiotics and probiotics, eating colorful fruits and vegetables, and staying hydrated.
