In normal circumstances, it's hard to notice mucus in stool as it is typically clear in colour. The substance may sometimes appear yellow or white. While passing mucus with stool is a common and healthy occurrence, visible amounts of white or yellow mucus should be monitored, as it can be a symptom of other conditions.
It may be tawny or clear in color, and a person is unlikely to notice it. When stool has visible mucus, it can be a sign of other health conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis (UC), or Crohn's disease.
Mucus in stool is normal but when you see a lot of white or yellowish mucus, it means you may have a GI problem, like a stomach bug, IBS, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac, or other issue. It's important to make sure something in your diet isn't causing it and see a doctor to look for an underlying intestinal issue.
Causes of anal discharge
Mucus-based discharge may be caused by: Infection due to food-poisoning, bacteria or parasites. An abscess due to infection or an anal fistula – a channel that can develop between the end of your bowel and anus after an abscess.
You may think of mucus as the slimy stuff you cough up when you're sick. But it can also show up at the other end: in your poop. Many parts of your body make mucus, including your intestines. It lines your digestive tract, creating a protective layer against bacteria.
Possible causes of mucus in your stool include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and other digestive disorders.2 Bacterial infections, bowel obstructions, and anal tears (fissures) also can cause it.
The large intestine, or colon, produces protective layers of mucus, a network of proteins rich in sugars added through a process called O-glycosylation. Previous studies suggested that this mucus plays a role in maintaining a healthy relationship between intestinal tissues and gut bacteria.
Jelly like discharge or clots on heavy days of your period are a mix of blood and tissue shed from your uterus lining. When your period is very heavy, the anticoagulants that break down clots can't keep up. The clots can vary in size and colour and for the most part aren't anything to worry about.
Take a look at the types below and the difference in each IBS stool colour: IBS-C (IBS with constipation) – likely to have a darker brown stool colour. IBS-D (IBS with diarrhoea) – likely to have a yellow stool colour. IBS-M (mixed – alternates between constipation and diarrhoea)
Narrow or pellet-like stools: if you have advanced or severe diverticulitis, your large intestine may narrow, causing stool to become thin, narrow, or pellet-shaped.
Symptoms of diverticulitis
Fever and chills. Diarrhea or constipation, can have blood or mucous in the stool.
Many people experience mild symptoms of IBS, but for some, symptoms can be severe. Symptoms can include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, mucus in the stool, diarrhea, and/or constipation.
If your stool is bright red or black — which may indicate the presence of blood — seek prompt medical attention. Food may be moving through the large intestine too quickly, such as due to diarrhea. As a result, bile doesn't have time to break down completely.
This is a swelling of the inner lining of your colon and rectum (also called your large intestine). It damages the lining, causing it to bleed or ooze mucus or pus.
Shigellosis is a bowel infection caused by bacteria from the Shigella family. Other names for shigellosis include Shigella infection, Shigella enteritis and bacillary dysentery. Common symptoms include diarrhoea that may contain blood, mucus or pus, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting.
Eating gluten causes an immune reaction, inflammation, and damage to the small intestine. As a result, more mucus in stool can occur, among other symptoms.
"When you eat high-fiber foods, they bang up against the cells lining the gastrointestinal tract, rupturing their outer covering. What we are saying is this banging and tearing increases the level of lubricating mucus.
People with Crohn's disease may produce stools containing mucus, blood and/or undigested fats, whereas stool samples from people with ulcerative colitis are more likely to contain only mucus and/or blood.
The most common symptom of diverticular disease is intermittent (stop-start) pain in your lower abdomen (stomach), usually in the lower left-hand side. The pain is often worse when you are eating, or shortly afterwards. Passing stools and breaking wind (flatulence) may help relieve the pain.
Actually, no specific foods are known to trigger diverticulitis attacks. And no special diet has been proved to prevent attacks. In the past, people with small pouches (diverticula) in the lining of the colon were told to avoid nuts, seeds and popcorn.