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.
A small amount of mucus in stool is usually nothing to worry about. Stool normally contains a small amount of mucus — a jellylike substance that your intestines make to keep the lining of your colon moist and lubricated.
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.
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.
The presence of mucus in stools can be common. When you're generally healthy, mucus is typically clear and appears in such small amounts that it's often difficult to notice.
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.
Summary. Currant jelly stool is composed of stool with blood and mucus. In infants and young children, it is often a sign of intussusception. Other conditions like IBD, polyps and anal fissures can also cause bloody stools in people of all ages.
Gluten intolerance (celiac disease)
Those with celiac disease are hypersensitive to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. 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.
A small amount of mucus in your poop is normal, but there are times it could be a sign of a condition that needs treatment. A layer of mucus lines and protects the inside of your large intestine (aka your colon). If this layer gets damaged, you'll see a lot more mucus in your stool.
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.
Diarrhea with a lot of mucus can be caused by a viral infection, food poisoning, a food intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, or hemorrhoids. It can usually be treated with diet and medications.
Enemas are gaining popularity for the removal of mucoid plaque because they are believed to remove toxins from the colon. During an enema, a tube is placed in your rectum, and water and possibly other substances are flushed through the colon.
Hemorrhoid problems can cause various symptoms. These often include itching, mucus discharge or a burning sensation in the anus. Painless bleeding is common too.
Bacterial colitis results in an inflammatory-type diarrhea that is characterized by bloody, purulent, and mucoid stool. These diseases have been designated as bacterial hemorrhagic enterocolitis. Associated symptoms include fever, tenesmus, and severe abdominal pain.
Acute colitis that is caused by a temporary infection, food intolerance or radiation exposure typically goes away by itself. Infections take about a week, while radiation colitis takes a few months. Some types of infection may need to be treated with antibiotics to go away, especially parasite infections.
Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is a type of bacteria that can cause colitis, a serious inflammation of the colon. Infections from C. diff often start after you've been taking antibiotics.
Symptoms of diverticulitis
Abdominal pain, many times in the lower abdomen, more often on the left side, but can be present on the right side as well. Fever and chills. Diarrhea or constipation, can have blood or mucous in the stool.
Diverticulitis stool characteristics
Color: The stool may be bright red, maroon, or black and tarry, which indicates the presence of blood. Stools may contain more mucus than normal.
Some patients see gobs of mucous in the stool and become concerned. Mucous is a normal secretion of the bowel, although most of the time it cannot be seen. IBS patients sometimes produce large amounts of mucous, but this is not a serious problem.
A poo sample can be checked for signs of infection, as gastroenteritis (infection of the stomach and bowel) can sometimes have similar symptoms to ulcerative colitis. Blood tests may also be carried out to check for anaemia and to see if there's inflammation on any part of your body.
Digestive Disorder Center
Infection, loss of blood supply in the colon, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and invasion of the colon wall with collagen or lymphocytic white blood cells are all possible causes of an inflamed colon.
Inflammation in ulcerative colitis starts in your rectum and may spread to your colon. Symptoms may be constant or come and go. They include diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal cramping, anemia, and blood or pus in bowel movements. There isn't a cure for ulcerative colitis, but medications can help calm inflammation.