Mucus in stool is normal, but it’s not usually visible to the naked eye. When it is, you may notice stringy clear, white, or yellow goop in the toilet or clinging to your poop. It may be blood-tinged, too.
There’s some evidence to suggest that mucus in the colon, where stool passes, may help to prevent injury or inflammation.But it could be a sign of a health concern that needs treatment, such asirritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Tell your healthcare provider about any blood-tinged mucus or other concerning symptoms.
1. Ulcerative Colitis
Inulcerative colitis, the mucous membrane of the large intestine is inflamed. It develops small sores called ulcers. These ulcers can bleed and produce pus. They can also make enough mucus to be seen in the stool.
2. Proctitis
Proctitis is a condition that affects the rectum, the last part of the digestive tract before it reaches the anus and waste passes from the body. It can have several causes, including a form ofulcerative proctitisthat’s related to ulcerative colitis.
Other causes of mucus-related proctitis include infections (sexually transmitted infections among them).Some people develop radiation proctitis duringprostateand other pelvic-area cancer treatments.
3. Allergic Colitis
Allergic colitis is related to food allergies and is often diagnosed in infants and children whose symptoms are linked to cow’s milk and related dairy products.Bloody stools also occur, along with higher levels of allergy-related elements in the mucus in certain types of allergic colitis.
4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBS often causes an excess of whitish mucus in the digestive system.Males tend to have IBS-relatedmucus in the stoolmore often than females with IBS.
Withdiarrhea-predominant IBS(IBS-D), mucus may be mixed with runny stools.Anxiety and stressmay cause mucus in the stool when it coexists with IBS-D.That’s also true of depression, which has long been associated with IBS symptoms and diagnosis.
Researchers aren’t sure exactly why the condition results in so much extra mucus. Extra mucus with IBS does not mean there’s a major problem or that the disease is becoming more serious, but it did appear to improve with diet changes in a study of females diagnosed with mixed-type IBS.
5. Crohn’s Disease
Passing mucus in the stool is less common in people with Crohn’s disease. It can sometimes mean that you’re developing ananal fissure, or a tear in the lining of the anus.
6. Anal Abscess or Fistula
An abscess is an infection that creates a pocket of pus inside the body. It’s a problem that occurs more often in people with Crohn’s disease, particularly in the perianal area.
Anabscesscan become large enough to form a tunnel between two organs, or between the skin and an organ. This is called afistula. The abscess or fistula may drain mucus into the stool.
Abscesses and fistulas need treatment. Your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics or other medications. In some cases, the abscess will need to be surgically drained.
7. Rectal Cancer
People diagnosed with rectal, colon, or anal cancers often have mucus in the stool, either as a symptom of the disease or as a result of their cancer treatment. A study of 187 people treated for anal cancer in the UK found mucus and blood in the stool improved within a year of treatment.
8. Ostomy
Some people who have had ostomy surgery (eitherileostomyorcolostomy) may pass mucus from the rectum.
9. Bacterial Infections and Food Poisoning
Some bacterial infections can cause mucus in the stool. Mucus in the digestive tract also plays a key role in protecting against infections that include:
Food sources can lead to these bacterial infections, with symptoms of diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Some bacterial infections get better on their own without treatment. Others may need antibiotics. If you think you may have a bacterial infection, especially after traveling abroad, call your healthcare provider.
Mucus in Infant Stool
10. Bowel Obstruction
If something blocks your bowel, you may notice excess mucus in your stool.
Bowel obstructions can also cause:
Obstructions are typically treated in the hospital. Sometimes the blockage has to be removed surgically.
11. Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosisis a genetic condition that causes the body to make too much mucus. The mucus most often affects the lungs, but it can also impact the digestive tract and lead to distal intestinal obstruction syndrome (DIOS), with potentially life-threatening bowel obstruction.
Cystic fibrosis can also cause constipation and abdominal pain. The lifelong condition is usually diagnosed during childhood.
12. Parasites
Mucus in the stool can be a sign of parasite infection, and it’s especially important to check for parasites when children experience gastrointestinal symptoms.Giardiaparasites can sometimes be detected with a single stool sample, but parasite infections often require repeat tests.
People with compromised immune systems, including children diagnosed with and treated for cancer, may be more susceptible to parasite infection.
13. Diet and Dehydration
Dehydration can also lead to excess mucus in the stool. It is likely to go away on its own unless dehydration is a chronic problem. In these cases, treating the underlying problem may resolve the issue of too much mucus.
Foods high in sugars, or those linked to food allergies like gluten, may cause more mucus in stool. Researchers think high-fat and low-fiber foods may contribute to intestinal inflammation that alters mucus production.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you haven’t been diagnosed with a health condition that typically causes excess mucus in stool, it’s a good idea to discuss what you’re experiencing with a healthcare provider.
It’s especially important to see your provider about the following:
Make sure you keep track of symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and any changes to your stool if you have a diagnosed digestive disease. Discuss any changes with your healthcare provider.
Diagnosis
If you are first noticing mucus in stool, see your healthcare provider. Diagnosing the cause will start with a thorough medical history. They will ask what your bowel movements were like in the past and what has changed.
Your healthcare provider may also order some tests to help pinpoint the cause. These tests may include:
Treatment
Mucus in stool itself isn’t harmful, but the cause may require treatment. Treatment will depend on what’s affecting you. As examples:
Your healthcare provider can help you develop a treatment plan when needed for the cause of mucus in the stool.
Summary
Mucus is produced in the intestine, where it helps to foster a healthy digestive system. Mucus in stool isn’t necessarily serious. But excess mucus could mean that something new is happening in your digestive tract.
Seek medical care if mucus happens along with abdominal pain, blood in your stool, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. You may need tests, including stool cultures, blood tests, imaging studies, or colonoscopy to get a proper diagnosis and begin effective treatment.
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