Having mucus in the stool is usually not serious. But if it persists or there is more blood, you should consult a doctor so as not to miss a more serious cause.
Usually benign and Without gravity (this is often due to constipation), the presence of mucus in the stool (mucous stools) can sometimes suggest an underlying disorder. It is advisable to consult especially if the problem persists and if in addition there is blood in the stools (bloody feces).
What are mucous stools?
Of the mucous stools are stools (the faeces used to evacuate the waste products of digestion) which contain mucus (or mucus), a thick and viscous substance, usually white or yellowish, secreted by the mucous membranes (intestinal in the case that interests us here).
What are bloody slime stools?
If in addition to having mucus, the stools are mixed with blood, then we speak of bloody stools. They usually flow liquid (similar to diarrhea).
What causes mucus in the stool?
A large amount of mucus in the stool should be the subject of a consultation because it can reveal several pathologies, more or less benign:
- The most common: a bout of constipation.
- relatively benign, irritable bowel syndrome
- Udoes inflammation of the colonin particular in the case of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) which are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
- A bacterial infection (by salmonella or shigella)
- Of the polyps in the colon (benign or cancerous)
Is this a sign of cancer?
Yes, the presence of a large number of polyps in the colon (colonic polyposis) or a Colon Cancer are other possible causes of mucous stools. But before worrying, you should consult your doctor because there are many other possible causes for the presence of mucus in the stool.
When should you consult if you have mucous stools?
“The presence of mucus in the stool, like the presence of blood in the stool, should alert, emphasizes Professor Benamouzig, specialist in gastroenterology. It is highly advisable to consult a doctor in order to quickly identify the origin of these secretions.“.
3 symptoms to recognize mucous stools
The mucus changes the normal aspect of the stools which are then:
- Thicker
- More viscous
- Whitish or yellowish in color
Photo of mucous stools
What tests should be done to guide the diagnosis?
A biology report is generally carried out to detect a possible inflammatory syndrome, because IBD present specific markers. A digestive endoscopy can also make it possible to locate possible lesions of the digestive tract. This examination consists of introducing a probe equipped with a camera into the patient’s digestive system.
The treatment of the cause.
→ If the cause of mucus is constipation, it is recommended to combine a laxative with a change in eating habits.
→ There is no cure for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Nevertheless, drug treatment provides long-lasting control of the disease and greatly improves the patient’s quality of life. Anti-inflammatories prolong the remission phases between flare-ups.
→ In the case of colonic polyposis, surgery is generally performed to prevent the appearance of cancer.
→ Bacterial infections are treated by taking an appropriate antibiotic.
Thanks to Professor Robert Benamouzig, doctor specializing in gastroenterology.