When mucus is normal
The intestinal mucous cells constantly renew their protective layer, so every person has a small amount of mucus in their stool. It becomes noticeable when the contents pass through the intestines more slowly or faster than usual. With constipation, dense feces irritate the mucous membrane, and mucus production increases; With diarrhea, the mucus simply does not have time to mix with the contents. A one-time appearance of mucus after a change in diet, a trip, a spicy meal or a course of antibiotics without other complaints usually does not require examination.
- Single episode without other complaints
- After constipation or, conversely, loose stools
- After changing your diet or traveling
- Small quantity, no blood and no pain
- No fever or weight loss
Intestinal infections
With infectious inflammation of the colon, there is a lot of mucus, and it is often mixed with blood. This course is typical for dysentery, salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, and amoebiasis. Usually there are frequent loose stools, cramping pain in the abdomen, false urges, and fever. A separate situation is diarrhea after a course of antibiotics, associated with the proliferation of Clostridioides difficile: watery stools with mucus, with pain and fever. Such conditions are treated under the supervision of a doctor; self-administration of antidiarrheals can be harmful.
- Dysentery and salmonellosis
- Campylobacteriosis
- Amoebiasis and giardiasis
- Antibiotic-associated diarrhea
- Viral intestinal infections in children
Chronic bowel diseases
The most common non-inflammatory cause is irritable bowel syndrome: mucus appears periodically, accompanied by pain, which is relieved after stool, bloating and alternating constipation and diarrhea, but without blood, fever and weight loss. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease occur differently: stool with blood and mucus, night urges, weight loss, sometimes joint pain and skin lesions. Abundant mucus occurs with villous polyps of the colon. Persistent mucus with blood in a person over 45 years of age requires a colonoscopy.
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Ulcerative colitis
- Crohn's disease
- Colon polyps
- Diverticular disease
- Celiac disease
Causes from the rectum
Mucus on the surface of stool and on paper is often associated with problems in the final intestinal tract. Hemorrhoids and anal fissures produce mucous discharge along with red blood and pain during defecation. Prolapse of the rectal mucosa and solitary ulcer are accompanied by a feeling of incomplete emptying and false urges. Proctitis, including after radiation therapy or infectious, is manifested by mucus, burning and frequent urges. These conditions can be easily diagnosed at an appointment with a proctologist.
- Hemorrhoids
- Anal fissure
- Proctitis
- Prolapse of the rectal mucosa
- Fistulas and paraproctitis
Examination and what to do
The doctor clarifies the duration of the complaints, the nature of the stool, the presence of blood, temperature, pain and weight loss, as well as travel and taking antibiotics. The standard set is a coprogram, stool for occult blood, if an infection is suspected, stool tests for pathogens, a complete blood count and CRP. If there is persistent mucus, blood, weight loss, or age over 45, a colonoscopy is prescribed. While the examination is underway, it is useful to improve your diet: enough fiber and liquid, a regular diet, less fat and alcohol.
- Coprogram
- Feces for occult blood
- Stool tests for intestinal infections
- Complete blood count and CRP
- Colonoscopy for warning signs
- Enough fiber and fluid in the diet