Mucus in stool can commonly accompany gut issues such as IBS, SIBO and IBD. The appearance of mucus in stool can also be caused by certain medications or food allergies. In this article, we’ll cover what causes mucus in stool and how to address it.
Going to the toilet is something most of us prefer to keep private, but there’s no shame in having an occasional question about bowel movements. The form of the stool (poop) can provide some helpful information about the health of the gut.
Mucus in stool can be caused by several things, including stress and other gastrointestinal issues. However, mucus is something that normally is produced in small amounts in the gut.
This mucus can help to support bowel movements but also regulate the balance of the immune system along the gut lining. However, if you experience mucus or blood in your stool regularly something may be irritating the gut.
Causes of mucus in stool
The most common causes of mucus in stool include:
Food allergies
Eating certain foods can cause inflammation in your digestive tract which results in excess production of mucus from the lining (mucosa). A study found that 60% of the participants with food-related gut issues experienced mucus as one of their main symptoms.
Alongside the presence of mucus 41% experienced joint swelling and 71% experienced joint pain. This indicates that event though food allergies can lead to gut symptoms, it’s also possible for them to lead to other types of non-digestive symptoms. [Source: PubMed]
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
IBS is characterized by abdominal pain accompanied by diarrhoea or constipation along with other symptoms such as bloating and abdominal pain. Mucus can be a common symptom of IBS.
This can also be related to food allergies or intolerances well as irritation along the gut lining, a common result of the inflammation often present in IBS. [Source: PubMed]
Gut Infections
Many types of bacterial infections may cause mucus in stool. Bacterial infections most commonly occur when you have an imbalance between good and bad bacteria in your intestines (dysbiosis).
These include Clostridium difficile colitis, Shigella infection (shigellosis), Salmonella enterocolitis or giardia. [Source: PubMed, PubMed]
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Mucus in the stool can be commonly seen in Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis. This can be due to the inflammatory and irritation along the lining of the gut small or large intestine. [Source: PubMed]
Other symptoms of this inflammatory bowel disease include:
- Weight loss
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea
- Blood in the stool [Source: PubMed]
Gut Tests for Mucus in the Stool
Often mucus in the stool is visible to the eye and looks like a jelly on or within the stool. While the presence of mucus may indicate that the gut is irritated in some way, simply seeing the mucus does not provide the reason behind it appearing.
When working to find the cause of the higher levels of mucus appearing in the stool, various tests can be considered.
These include:
- SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) breath test [Source: PubMed]
- Calprotectin test (to assess for inflammation) [Source: NHS]
- Food intolerance testing [Source: PubMed]
- Nickel Allergy [Source: PubMed]
- Colonoscopy [Source: PubMed]
- CT scan [Source: PubMed]
If mucus in the stool is present, it can be important to take into consideration the underlying causes. These can be accessed via a health history questionnaire as well as testing options.
With many patients, once causes of inflammation (such as inflammatory bowel diseases) and other conditions have been ruled out, a diagnosis of IBS may be given. [Source: PubMed]
However, even with a diagnosis of IBS, the approach can still be to understand and address the root cause of symptoms and mucus in the stool.
What does mucus in stool indicate?
Mucus in stool is a sign of irritation or inflammation. It can be caused by bacterial, viral or parasitic infections; food allergies; inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and even irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). [Source: PubMed]
Mucus is produced by the body’s mucosal linings. This includes the mouth, nose, throat and gastrointestinal tract. The role of this mucus is both a form of protection as a physical barrier but it also contains compounds that can kill or neutralise invading pathogens. [Source: PubMed]
Why do I have jelly-like mucus when I wipe my bum?
You may have noticed mucus in your stool, which can be a sign of inflammation. This can be caused by a number of conditions including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and bacterial infections.
In the case of IBS, there is no structural damage to the intestines but they become irritated due to increased secretions from the intestinal tract. The excess production of mucus can often be present alongside symptoms such as diarrhoea or constipation. [Source: PubMed]
What Colour is IBS mucus?
The mucus in the stool is usually white or yellow, and it can be smelly. It may be thick, sticky and stringy. Mucus in your stool is a common symptom of an intestinal infection, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and food poisoning.
If there is blood present in the bowel, this can also influence the colour of the mucus in the stool. This can lead the mucus to range from light pink to a darker shade due to the blood present. [Source: PubMed]
What infection causes mucus in poop?
Gut infections can lead to irritation and inflammation in the bowel. While these can contribute to changes in bowel function, commonly with pain, and bloating as well as urgent bowel movements, mucus can also be present in the stool.
While the presence of mucus doesn’t indicate a specific infection, gut infections can contribute to increased mucus production.
These infections include:
Some gut infections such as food poisoning can be self-limiting, which means they can resolve by themselves without medical intervention. However, others may require antibiotic treatment. [Source: PubMed]
Can stress cause mucus in the stool?
A range of factors can lead to changes in bowel function, with stress being a key factor.
Stress can impact gut health in a number of ways. These include increasing inflammation as well as impacting the integrity of the gut lining. [Source: PubMed, PubMed]These factors may then lead to a degree of irritation that can contribute to increased production of mucus in the stool.
Why does mucus come out when I fart?
A mucus is a protective barrier that helps to protect your body from bacteria and viruses However, if the gut lining is irritated, more mucus may be produced. This can build-up within the digestive tract.
For many, this mucus may be produced towards the end of the bowel or accumulate there. Therefore, it can be present when gas is passed. [Source: PubMed]
If you’re experiencing mucus in stool, it could be due to an underlying condition such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease (both of which cause inflammation in the digestive tract). If this happens regularly or if there are other symptoms associated with these conditions.
How do you treat mucus in stool?
Certain foundational dietary considerations can be important when addressing gut issues. While for many, fibre can support gut health and bowel movement if the gut is irritated higher fibre may increase or worsen symptoms.
This means that for each patient it can be required to find the personal fibre tolerance to calm and reduce symptoms. Lower fibre diets that can be considered here are:
- The Low FODMAP Diet [Source: PubMed]
- Low Residue Diet [Source: PubMed]
Fibre is the part of plants that our bodies can’t digest, but it’s great for keeping us regular and healthy. However, if the bowel is irritated, this fibre may cause further irritation.
Alongside any consideration for dietary restrictions, working to support the gut with evidence-based supplements is also a central way to treat the possible underlying causes of mucus.
These supplements include:
- Probiotics [Source: PubMed]
- Prebiotics [Source: PubMed]
- Glutamine [Source: PubMed]
- Antimicrobial herbs [Source: PubMed]
Conclusion
Mucus in stool is a common condition, affecting people of all ages. It can be a sign of an underlying illness or disease that requires treatment. In most cases, it can be a common symptom seen in a wide range of gut issues.
The approach that can be considered is working with a gut health specialist to get the root cause of the issues, rather than just suppressing symptoms.
