Sluz v blatu

Customer question:

I noticed an increased amount of mucus in my stool. What could be the problem? Anonymous customer.

Pharmacist's answer:

A small amount of mucus in the stool can be something completely normal. The stool is usually often surrounded by a small amount of mucus. However, suppose a more significant amount of mucus begins to appear, mainly if such an increased amount of mucus is secreted regularly from a certain point on. In that case, the mentioned phenomenon is a cause for concern - incredibly quickly, go to a doctor or proctologist for an examination if you still notice regular bleeding and a changed stool removal regimen.

Mucus is a thick, usually colorless substance - in case of problems, it can also be yellow to brown. Mucus in the stool in average amounts is something completely normal. The mucus present protects the digestive tract, lubricates it, and consequently relieves irritation and possible friction of food with the wall of the digestive tract.

Large amounts of mucus in the digestive tract are often associated with bacterial infections.

What usually causes the formation of mucus in the stool?

The presence of mucus in the stool can result from constipation, dehydration, Crohn's disease, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Chron's disease

Crohn's disease is a disease that occurs due to inflammation of a minor or entire part of the intestine. Early symptoms of Crohn's disease are diarrhea, often fatigue of the entire organism, and almost always large amounts of mucus in the excreted stool.

Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is a label for several digestive tract problems, which combines both problems with abdominal pain, cramps in this area, and also lazy bowel syndrome. All these symptoms come together under the name of irritable bowel syndrome.

Ulcerative colitis

It is a disease similar to Crohn's disease; it is also an inflammatory bowel disease that results in increased secretion of mucus.

Bacterial infection

An infection due to a specific bacterium is often also associated with increased mucus secretion. For example, this often happens with digestive tract infections with salmonella and shigella - they are introduced into the body through contaminated food.

Rectal cancer

It is a cancer that often causes the production of increased amounts of mucus, and from time to time, we often see blood in the stool due to this disease.

General treatment

It depends on the cause itself; the treatment is adapted to it. For example, if constipation is the problem, help can often be found by starting or increasing dietary fiber intake. Also, in the case of constipation, increasing the intake of fluids in the body makes sense.

Eat a diet rich in microorganisms, especially lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.

It makes sense to improve or adjust the balance of the diet, reduce fat, and increase fiber.

Prescription medications and ongoing treatment may be necessary for people with chronic conditions such as Crohn's, cystic fibrosis, ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Interesting reading: How to get rid of bloating - forum