Faeces with mucus: 7 possible causes and when it is dangerous

Mucus is a substance that helps feces to move through the intestine, but is usually produced in low quantities, just enough to lubricate the intestine and be mixed in the stool, not easily observable by the naked eye in the vessel.

Thus, when excess mucus is observed in the stool, it usually indicates the presence of an infection or other change in the intestines, such as intestinal ulcer or irritable bowel syndrome, for example, it is important to consult a gastroenterologist to make a complete assessment and identify if there is a problem that needs to be addressed.

1. Food intolerance

Food intolerances and allergies, such as sensitivity to lactose, fructose, sucrose or gluten, cause inflammation of the intestinal walls when food comes into contact with the mucosa, generating an increase in mucus production, which can be observed in the stool.

In these cases, other symptoms may also appear, such as swelling of the belly, diarrhea, red spots on the skin, excessive gas or constipation, for example.

• What to do: If there is a suspicion of intolerance to some type of food, it is important to consult a gastroenterologist to do an intolerance test and confirm the diagnosis, before eliminating any type of food from the diet. See 7 signs that may indicate gluten intolerance and when you suspect lactose intolerance.

2. Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis arises when some type of microorganism, such as a bacterium or a virus, can infect the stomach and intestines, causing, in addition to excess mucus in the stool, intense nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite and pain in the belly.

Usually, this type of problem arises due to the consumption of contaminated water or food, but it can also happen after prolonged use of antibiotics, since the good bacteria are eliminated from the intestinal mucosa, facilitating the development of other more harmful ones.

• What to do: in case of suspicion it is important to consult a gastroenterologist or a general practitioner, to confirm the diagnosis and start the appropriate treatment, which may only include fluid replacement, but can also be done with antibiotics, if a bacteria infection.

3. Irritable bowel

The irritable bowel causes inflammation of the intestinal mucosa that increases the amount of mucus in the stool. Although it can happen in all cases of irritable bowel syndrome, mucus is more common in people who have long periods of diarrhea.

Other common symptoms of those suffering from irritable bowel include excess gas, swollen belly and periods of diarrhea that alternate with constipation, especially during periods of high stress or anxiety.

• What to do: if there is already a diagnosis of irritable bowel, try to avoid excess stress by participating in leisure activities, but also to eat more carefully, avoiding the consumption of coffee and foods with a lot of fat or spicy, for example. If there is only suspicion of irritable bowel, you should go to the gastroenterologist to assess whether this is really the problem, starting the treatment guided by the doctor.

Check the treatment possibilities to reduce irritable bowel discomfort.

4. Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease is a chronic intestinal disease that causes constant inflammation of the intestinal walls, resulting in signs such as mucus in the stool, but also severe abdominal pain, fever, bloody diarrhea and weakness.

Although there is still no specific cause for Crohn's disease, it can appear at any stage of life, especially if there is a decrease in the immune system. See which symptoms may be a sign of Crohn's disease.

• 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. See in this video more tips on how to relieve symptoms:

5. Intestinal obstruction

Intestinal obstruction happens when something prevents the passage of feces in the intestine. Therefore, the most common causes include hernias, bowel twist, ingestion of some type of object or even a tumor in the intestine.

In these cases, the mucus is produced in excess to try to push the feces, which end up not passing and causing other symptoms such as swelling of the belly, severe abdominal pain, excess gas and decreased amount of feces.

• What to do: intestinal obstruction is an emergency that needs to be treated to avoid serious complications such as dilation or rupture of the intestine. Therefore, if this problem is suspected, you should immediately go to the hospital.

6. Anal fissure

Anal fissure is a relatively common problem that consists of the presence of a small wound in the rectum region, which usually arises from excessive bowel movements, which can happen in the case of frequent diarrhea, for example. However, the fissure can also happen in cases of constipation, since the act of defecating very hard stools can end up injuring the sphincter.

When it appears, the fissure gives rise to symptoms such as bright red blood in the stools, pain when defecating, mucus in the stools and itching in the region.

• What to do: the most important thing in these cases is to maintain adequate intimate hygiene, but you can also do sitz baths to relieve pain and apply ointments to heal the fissure more quickly. In addition, alcoholic beverages and spicy foods and many spices should be avoided, giving preference to a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and cereals. See some examples of ointments used in the treatment.

7. Ulcerative colitis

This is an intestinal alteration that causes the presence of ulcers in the intestine and constant inflammation of the mucosa. Thus, in people with ulcerative colitis, stools are often accompanied by blood, pus or mucus.

Other symptoms that help to identify a case of ulcerative colitis include diarrhea, very severe abdominal pain, skin lesions and weight loss.

• What to do: It is generally recommended to increase your fiber intake, using foods such as papaya, lettuce or chickpeas, for example, to make the stools more bulky and less hard. In addition, medication may be needed to relieve abdominal cramps or even diarrhea. Learn more about how treatment is done in cases of ulcerative colitis.

When mucus in stool can be dangerous

In most cases, mucus in the stool is not a dangerous situation, almost always representing an easy to treat situation. However, if the excess mucus appears associated with other symptoms such as:

• Stools with blood or pus; Very severe abdominal pain; Excessive abdominal swelling; Constant diarrhea.

It is advisable to go to the hospital or make an appointment with the gastroenterologist, as it can be a sign of a more serious cause such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease or even cancer.