Mucus in stool is normal, but excessive amounts can indicate constipation, hemorrhoids, or serious digestive conditions like Crohn’s disease or dysentery. Anorectal abscesses produce pus-like fluid, while irritable bowel syndrome can cause mucus and other symptoms. Treatment depends on the underlying cause.
A certain amount of mucus in stool is considered normal as mucus occurs naturally in the body to keep the intestines lubricated and to help the intestines move more easily. Occasionally, a person suffering from constipation or hemorrhoids may notice more mucus than usual. If accompanied by blood, diarrhea, or other symptoms, however, it can be caused by serious digestive conditions, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, or an infection, such as dysentery. Mucus in the stool can also be caused by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or a stomach ulcer that has become infected.
Sometimes people discover mucus in their stools due to constipation or hemorrhoids. This is because both of these conditions are often accompanied by straining during a bowel movement. Straining often causes the intestinal lining, which includes mucus, to be expelled. Sometimes you may also notice a small amount of blood, which is usually the result of damage to the anal tissue caused by hardened stools passing through the rectum.
An anorectal abscess will produce multiple symptoms, such as fever, redness, discomfort and pain in the anal region. An individual may also make a pus-like fluid in the intestines or when wiping after a bowel movement. This differs from mucus in stool, as it is actually pus and other fluids that have collected in an abscess due to an infection.
Dysentery is a bacterial infection that is often accompanied by mucus in the stool. Occasionally, a person will also experience blood-tinged stools, as well as intense abdominal pain and unintentional weight loss. These are serious symptoms of infection, which can be fatal if not treated promptly and effectively.
Digestive conditions like Crohn’s disease and colitis can also cause bloody diarrhea and mucus in the stool. Depending on the condition, other symptoms will also be present, such as bloating, abdominal pain and cramping, and gas. One of the most common causes of these symptoms is irritable bowel syndrome, which commonly affects women, middle-aged adults, and people with a family history of IBS.
Experts advise that treatment for unusual signs of mucus in stool always begins with a thorough medical examination to determine the underlying cause. While some bowel cancers produce more mucus in cells than the average person, finding mucus in stool doesn’t automatically mean a person has a particular type of cancer, including rectal cancer. The course of treatment for mucus discovered in the stool is determined solely by the cause of this condition.
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