Pooping Mucus: What It Means & When To Worry
Mucus is naturally produced to maintain a moist and lubricated inner lining of the colon. The body also naturally produces mucus to help stools move through the digestive system. Occasionally, the mucus sticks to the stool, but you don't need to worry about the occasional mucus you see when wiping or in the toilet bowl.
You should take special care if you notice mucus appearing in your poop more frequently or if you notice that the mucus is accompanied by other symptoms such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and blood in your stool. There could be a serious underlying cause of the mucus in your stool.
There are several reasons why you might have mucus in your stool. We'll explore some of the most common causes, symptoms, and possible ways you can treat this condition.
Is It Normal to See Mucus in Your Stool?
Mucus and mucus barriers are important in maintaining a person's gut health. To maintain a stable environment in the gut, mucus can guard against bacteria, digestion enzymes, acids, and other toxins. Food moves more smoothly through the intestines with the help of this natural lubricant.
You shouldn't worry if you have mucus in your stool, as small amounts are normal. However, large amounts may indicate an infection or another underlying problem.
Common Symptoms Associated with Mucus in Stool
Other symptoms affecting the digestive tract may be associated with mucus in the stool, such as:
- Abdominal swelling, distension, or bloating
- Diarrhoea
- Changes in stool colour or consistency
- Painful bowel movements
- Faecal incontinence
- Bloody stool
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Urgent need to pass stool
- Abnormally foul-smelling stools
- Nausea
Common Causes of Mucus in Stool and Their Symptoms
| Condition | Typical Symptoms | Mucus in Stool? |
|---|---|---|
| IBS | Cramping, bloating, irregular bowel movements | Yes |
| Ulcerative Colitis | Bloody diarrhoea, urgency, weight loss | Yes |
| Bacterial Infection | Diarrhoea, fever, vomiting | Yes |
| Lactose Intolerance | Bloating, cramps, diarrhoea | Sometimes |
| Celiac Disease | Fatigue, bloating, nutrient deficiencies | Sometimes |
| Colorectal Cancer | Blood in stool, fatigue, weight loss | Possible |
What Causes Mucus in Your Stool?
Mucus is normally produced to facilitate the passage of digested food and waste through the digestive tract. Poop may contain abnormal amounts of mucus due to various medical conditions. Among these conditions are the following:
Do Intestinal Infections Cause Mucus in Stool?
Mucus in the stool can also be caused by infections in the gastrointestinal tract (GI). An infection can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites invading the body. Parasitic infections can cause bloody diarrhoea with mucus.
Other symptoms include:
- Fever
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Cramping
- Nausea
Can Mucus in Stool Be a Sign of Colon Cancer?
Colorectal cancer often does not present symptoms until it has spread to other body parts. Since this cancer grows slowly, screenings with colonoscopies are essential. During a colonoscopy, precancerous polyps can be removed before they become cancerous.
In addition to changes in bowel patterns and habits lasting longer than a few days, colon cancer can cause the following signs and symptoms:
- Abdominal cramping or pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Constipation
- Rectal bleeding
- Diarrhea
- Narrowing of the stool
- Dark stool or blood in stool
- Fatigue
Does IBS Cause Mucus in Stool?
The gastrointestinal tract is often filled with whitish mucus caused by IBS.
More often than not, diarrhoea-predominant IBS or IBS-A (alternating type) is associated with this condition.
Can Proctitis Lead to Mucus Discharge?
There are two types of proctitis: short-term and long-term. One of the most common symptoms is frequent and urgent bathroom visits. Mucus or pus discharge from the rectum is also a symptom of proctitis, which should be reported to a healthcare provider.
There are also the following symptoms:
- Rectal pain
- Abdominal cramping
- Swollen lymph nodes in the groin
- A feeling of fullness in the rectum
- Rectal bleeding
- Pain during bowel movements
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
Crohn’s Disease and Mucus in Stool
An inflammatory process in the digestive tract causes Crohn's disease (the digestive route between the mouth and the anus). It's an inflammatory bowel disease. The digestive tract has a thicker mucus layer, so excess mucus is secreted in stools. It is possible. However, that mucus in the stool may decrease during severe flare-ups because the body produces less mucus.
Other symptoms of Crohn’s include:
- Abdominal cramps
- Abdominal pain
- Persistent diarrhoea
- Urgent need to have a bowel movement
- Constipation
- A feeling of an incomplete bowel evacuation
- Rectal bleeding
Ulcerative Colitis and Mucus in Stool
IBD can also be classified as UC. Immune system overreaction causes it. Sometimes it flares up, and sometimes it is inactive. Ulcers develop when the large intestine's mucous membrane is inflamed during flare-ups. There is a possibility of bleeds, pus, and mucus from these ulcers, the likelihood of mucus in the poop increases during flare-ups.
Other symptoms of UC include:
- Abdominal cramps and pain
- Persistent diarrhoea
- Urgent and loose bowel movements
- Blood in the stool
Can Bacterial Infections Trigger Mucus in Stool?
Inflammation and irritation can cause mucus in the intestines due to bacterial infection.
There are several types of bacterial infections commonly found in the intestines, including:
- Coli infection (e.g., traveller’s diarrhoea)
- Salmonella infection (food poisoning)
- Shigella infection
Do Anal Fistulas Cause Mucus in Stool?
Fistulas between the anus and the skin are infected tunnels. An abscess can cause them to form. There is a possibility that they can cause the anal area to drain foul-smelling mucus.
Does Cystic Fibrosis Cause Mucus in Stool?
A person with cystic fibrosis has abnormal mucus, sweat, and digestive juice production cells. There is usually a thin, slippery consistency to these secreted fluids. The secretions of people with CF become sticky and thick due to a defective gene. The secretions plug them up rather than lubricating tubes, ducts, and passageways.
A condition like this can result in excessive mucus in poop.
Can Malabsorption Lead to Mucus in Stool?
It occurs when your bowels are incapable of absorbing certain nutrients. It is believed that celiac disease and lactose intolerance are associated with malabsorption.
Celiac Disease and Mucus Production
Celiac disease (gluten intolerance) is much rarer than wheat sensitivities. Wheat, rye, and barley contain gluten, a protein that causes celiac disease. Minor intestine damage, inflammation, and immune reactions are caused by gluten consumption.
There may be an increase in mucus in stool as a result.
Lactose Intolerance and Mucus in Stool
Lactose intolerance affects nearly 70% of the world's population. Lactose, a component of milk, cannot be digested by those who lack the enzyme lactase in their intestines. Since the body cannot break down lactose, bacteria process it from the intestinal flora in the large intestine. The results of this processing include nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, bloating, and abdominal cramps.
Additionally, mucus can increase in the intestine, resulting in bowel movements.
Gastroenteritis and Mucus in Stool
Gastroenteritis, or gastrointestinal tract inflammation, is caused by rotaviruses or noroviruses. In most cases, gastroenteritis caused by viruses will heal within a few days.
It causes mucus in the stool, nausea, diarrhoea, and a feeling of sickness for people with GI infections. Drink fluids and stay hydrated at all times.
Home Remedies for Mucus in Stool
Depending on the diagnosis, mucus in the stool can be treated differently.
Solving the issue with lifestyle changes in mild cases may be possible. These include:
- Fluid intake should be increased.
- Taking probiotic supplements, such as Bifidobacterium or Lactobacillus, as well as foods rich in probiotics
- Maintaining a healthy balance between fibre, carbohydrates, and fat
Irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, cystic fibrosis, ulcerative colitis, and cystic fibrosis may require prescription medications.
When to Seek Medical Advice for Mucus in Stool
The following symptoms may require medical attention if you experience them:
- Fatigue
- Persistent diarrhoea
- Unexplained weight loss
- Blood in stool
- Stomach cramping
- Nausea
- Vomiting
If you regularly see mucus in your stool, even if there are no other symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately.
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