Mucus in the stool is more likely during a flare-up. People living with IBS may notice whitish mucus in their stool. Other common symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain and changes in bowel movements, such as constipation and diarrhea. People with diarrhea-predominant IBS are more likely to have mucus in their stool than people with constipation-predominant IBS.
Other symptoms of IBS include bloating and the sensation that a person has not finished the bowel movement. Proctitis is inflammation of the lining of the rectum that can be short-term or long-lasting. The most common symptom is having a frequent and urgent need to have a bowel movement. Another symptom of proctitis is having discharge of mucus or pus from the rectum, which a person should report to a doctor right away. Infection in the gastrointestinal GI tract might also cause mucus in the stool.
Infections can occur as a result of a bacteria, virus, or parasite. Some parasitic infections may lead to bloody diarrhea with mucus. Learn more about gastrointestinal infections here. Colorectal cancer refers to cancer of the colon or rectum, which are part of the digestive tract.
Colon cancer begins in the mucosa, the inner layer of the bowel wall, which contains mucus-producing cells called goblet cells. People with colon cancer might see mucus streaked with blood in their stools.
Usually, the first step towards understanding what is causing mucus in the stool is to test a stool sample. A healthcare professional will give instructions on how to take a sample. It usually involves collecting a sample of stool in a clean container and, if a person is unable to hand it in immediately, storing it in the fridge to prevent bacteria from building up. Once a healthcare professional has the sample, they can test it for bacteria and other substances from the digestive system.
Depending on the stool sample results, a person may need further tests to investigate the cause of excess mucus in the stool. Tests include:. It is normal for a small amount of mucus to be present in stool. If a person regularly notices excess mucus or other changes in bowel movements accompanying it, they should talk with a doctor.
If mucus in the stool happens alongside other symptoms, it could be a sign of a condition that requires investigation and treatment. Depending on what is suspected of causing the mucus, different types of tests might be ordered. The tests that are used could be a stool culture and blood tests, or potentially imaging studies like a CT scan, MRI, or plain X-ray.
In some cases, a healthcare provider may need to do other testing, such as an endoscopy procedure, to figure out what is happening. But, in many cases, it's not necessary to do invasive testing to determine the cause of the mucus. 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, for instance, 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 may be needed, or that a current treatment is no longer as effective as it once was. Passing mucus in the stool when someone has IBS or ulcerative colitis is not necessarily a cause for alarm, because it can be a sign of those conditions.
However, passing mucus in the stool, especially if it is a new symptom, should still be mentioned to a healthcare provider at the next office visit. Mucus without an underlying cause, such as one of the pre-existing conditions mentioned above, is a change in bowel habits and should be discussed with a healthcare provider as soon as possible. White mucus found in stool is a symptom of irritable bowel disease IBS. Common symptoms of this disease include abdominal pain often in response to a bowel movement, a change in overall bowel movements, and bloating.
If you experience these symptoms alongside finding white mucus in your stool, it may be a good idea to contact your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. Crohn's disease can affect stool in some people by causing diarrhea. Ileocolitis is the most common form of Crohn's disease, causing inflammation of the terminal ileum the end point of the small intestine as well as the colon.
There are a number of reasons why blood or bloody mucus are found in stool. It could caused by hemorrhoids, anal fissures, polyps, gastroenteritis, or angiodysplasia caused by weakened blood vessels in the gut. No matter the reason, it may be a good idea to check in with a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Treatment for mucus found in stool starts by identifying its cause. If you have already received treatment and mucus production has increased, it's possible that the treatment isn't as effective as it once was and a change may be needed.
A healthcare provider can make an informed diagnosis and offer alternative options. Gas pain? Stool issues? Sign up for the best tips to take care of your stomach. Roles and regulation of the mucus barrier in the gut. Tissue Barriers. Mucus organisation is shaped by colonic content; a new view. Sci Rep. Soares RL. Irritable bowel syndrome: a clinical review. World J Gastroenterol. Clinical manifestations of a cluster of rotavirus infection in young infants hospitalized in neonatal care units.
J Microbiol Immunol Infect. Patient reported symptoms during an ulcerative colitis flare: a Qualitative Focus Group Study. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. Symptoms and Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Reviewed November Overview of Crohn's Disease.
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