Mucus is a substance that helps the stool move through the intestine, but is usually produced in small quantities, barely enough to lubricate the intestine and mix with the stool without being perceived by the naked eye.
So when you get to observe the stool with mucus, usually indicates the presence of an infection or other alteration at the intestinal level as an ulcer or irritable bowel syndrome, it is important to see a gastroenterologist for a full evaluation and identify if there is any problem that needs to be treated.
1. Food Intolerance
In these cases, other symptoms may arise such as abdominal swelling, diarrhea, red spots on the skin, excess gas or constipation.
- What to do: If intolerance to any type of food is suspected, it is important to consult a gastroenterologist for an intolerance test.
2. Gastroenteritis
Normally, this type of problem arises due to the consumption of contaminated water or food, but can also occur after prolonged use of antibiotics, as good bacteria are eliminated from the intestinal mucosa, facilitating the development of more harmful ones.
- What to do: normally gastroenteritis does not need a specific treatment, just rest at home and drink a large amount of fluids to avoid dehydration caused by diarrhea. In addition to this, food should be light, giving preference to well-cooked foods, cooked vegetables and fruits, and foods low in fat.
3. Irritable bowel
Other common symptoms of the IBS sufferer are excess gas, abdominal bloating, and periods of diarrhea that alternate with periods of constipation, mainly during periods of high stress or anxiety.
- What to do: if there is already a diagnosis of irritable bowel, excess stress should be avoided by taking part in leisure activities, but adequate nutrition should also be provided by avoiding the consumption of irritating foods of the intestinal mucous such as coffee, spicy foods, pepper and foods with a high fat content. If an irritable bowel is suspected, a gastroenterologist should be consulted to assess whether this is really the problem.
4. Crohn's disease
Although there is not yet a specific cause for Crohn's disease, it can arise at any stage of life, especially if there is a decrease in the immune system.
- What to do: Treatment for Crohn's disease usually includes changes in eating habits such as controlling the amount of fiber ingested and reducing the amount of fats and dairy products, including their derivatives.
5. Intestinal obstruction
In these cases, the mucus is produced in excess to try to push the stool, which ends up not passing and generates other symptoms such as abdominal swelling, severe abdominal pain, excess gas and decreased amount of stool.
- What to do: Intestinal obstruction is an emergency that needs to be treated immediately to avoid serious complications such as dilation or rupture of the intestine. So if there is any suspicion of this problem, you should go immediately to the hospital.
6. Anal Fissure
- What to do: the most important thing in these cases is to maintain adequate intimate hygiene, but sitz baths can also be performed to relieve pain and place healing ointments to heal the fissure more quickly.
7. Ulcerative colitis
Other symptoms that help identify a case of ulcerative colitis are diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, skin lesions, and weight loss.
- What to do: It is generally recommended to increase fiber intake, through foods such as papaya, lettuce or chickpeas, to increase the volume of stool and make them less hard. In addition to this, it may be necessary to take some medication to relieve abdominal cramps or even diarrhea.
When mucus in the stool can be dangerous
- Bloody or pussy stools;
- Severe abdominal pain;
- Exaggerated abdominal swelling;
- Constant diarrhea.
