Yellow stool with mucus. Causes of mucus discharge from the rectum

Mucus in the stool is a common symptom that is considered harmless, but at the same time it can be a sign that some serious pathology has begun to develop in the body. Very often, this manifestation accompanies diarrhea, the acute phase of colitis, or the appearance of bacterial infections, but mucus can also appear as a result of an improperly formulated diet. It is necessary to get rid of an unpleasant phenomenon based on the reason that caused it.

Fatty foods can lead to increased mucus production in the body.

What is slime

Mucus is a jelly-like substance that is white in color, sometimes acquiring a yellow tint. It can be in the gastrointestinal tract, on the shell of the eyes, or in the respiratory tract. In the digestive system, it is secreted by the mucous membrane of the colon, but organs can also produce it. So, for example, it happens in the lungs, where mucus is needed to stop foreign particles that a person accidentally inhaled.

In general, it is needed in order to protect the tissues of organs from various kinds of mechanical damage and serves as a kind of lubricant. Usually a healthy body produces about 1 liter of this substance per day.

Slime is needed in order to minimize damage in the following cases:

• exposure to fungi;
• activation of viruses;
• neutralization of excessive amounts of enzymes that are secreted by the digestive system;
• reproduction of bacteria.

Important: mucus in the stool in an adult is a normal phenomenon, it is always present there, but becomes noticeable only when its concentration begins to increase.

What diseases cause mucus in the stool

The causes of mucus in the feces in an adult are different, this may be a sign that one of the following ailments and / or pathologies has begun to develop in the body:

• Hemorrhoids - with it, jelly-like mucus begins to appear after emptying, its characteristic signs can be seen on toilet paper. Often accompanied by bleeding.
• polyp formation.
• Webbed colitis, which is generally characterized by a violation in the work of the entire intestine. With it, the mucus looks like a translucent film and looks like a ribbon. Because of this, it is often confused with helminths.
• Dysbacteriosis, in which the work of the intestinal microflora is disturbed and its balance changes. In this case, an increase in the amount of mucus becomes a consequence of the fact that the body begins to fight harmful bacteria and tries to prevent the onset of the inflammatory process.
• Intestinal diseases due to intestinal infection.
• . Together with mucus, a person begins to be disturbed by pain in the abdominal cavity, which is of a pulling nature, flatulence and blood impurities in combination with diarrhea.
• Cystic fibrosis is a congenital pathology in which the glands responsible for the production of mucus in all organs are affected. Often seen in children. Accompanied by paroxysmal pain, flatulence, frequent urge to defecate, severe cough and the inability of the body's immune forces to protect itself from the negative effects of respiratory viruses.
• Benign and malignant formations in the stomach and intestines, along with mucus in the feces, blood impurities can be observed.
• Candidiasis.
• Vesiculitis is an inflammatory process localized in the seminal vesicles. In the vast majority of cases, mucus during bowel movements is considered the only sign that allows you to clearly identify this disease at an early stage.
• Proctitis is an inflammation of the rectum (its mucous membrane), which can take both acute and chronic forms.
• , in which there is an active secretion of mucus and severe pain occurs in the abdominal cavity.
• - an infectious disease characterized by the appearance of lesions resembling ulcers. Also, with it, abscesses appear in the internal organs.
• Dysentery, in which the mucus in the stool is mixed with blood.
• Escherichiosis is a disease that provokes E. coli. The main signs, in addition to the appearance of mucus, are high body temperature, nausea and vomiting, loose stools.
• Intestinal obstruction, which is often accompanied by constant pain in the abdomen, decreased appetite and the ability to concentrate.

Since rare and not abundant mucous discharge is not a sign of the presence of a pathology in the body, they do not require treatment. In turn, frequent and abundant white mucus in the stool requires a visit to a doctor who will send the patient to undergo the necessary tests and examinations, after which he will be able to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate course of treatment. In this article, the information is provided for informational purposes only, a specialist will be able to tell you more about this phenomenon and the need for its treatment during a consultation.

What tests can be ordered

Initially, the doctor needs to draw up a clinical picture, for which he conducts a survey of the patient. Based on the data received, he may prescribe one of the following tests:

• coprogram;
• macro- and microscopy of feces;
• intestinal colonoscopy;
• Ultrasound of specific abdominal organs (stomach, intestines, etc.);
• blood chemistry;
• radiography;

Since the reasons for the appearance of transparent mucus in the feces of an adult are numerous, the list of analyzes looks quite impressive.

How to treat mucus in stool

Ways to get rid of this phenomenon are diverse, as well as the number of reasons that cause it. Therapy should be based on the results of the tests and aimed at eliminating the root cause, since only in this case the concentration of white mucus in the feces will return to normal and stop bothering.

The simplest option for a relatively quick recovery of the gastrointestinal tract is possible only if the problem lies in a violation of the diet and an incorrectly compiled menu. In this case, it is necessary to completely abandon the use of products that provoke irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa. Along with this, it is necessary to take medications that help normalize the microflora of the stomach and negatively affect pathogens.

You need to take drugs only after consulting a specialist who can identify the true cause of this phenomenon.

In all other cases, therapy is chosen based on the decision of a physician familiar with the etiology of the patient's ailment. In general, the treatment process will look like this:

• selection of a sparing diet, the components of which are determined on the basis of the causes that caused the pathology;
• choosing the right course of treatment - taking medications, hospitalization followed by surgery, chemical therapy or supporting the body with the help of traditional medicine;
• getting rid of the unpleasant symptoms of the underlying disease - a decrease in body temperature, normalization of stool, cessation of pain;
• support of the patient's body during the rehabilitation period.

Important: it is strictly forbidden to engage in self-medication, since many ailments of the gastrointestinal tract can transform into chronic forms, and this can be caused by thoughtless medication.

Preventive measures

If the appearance of white streaks in the feces is due to the presence of a disease that was subsequently cured, then you should take care of your body in order to prevent this from happening again.

As preventive measures, you can do the following:

• carefully monitor the products, avoiding eating expired food;
• it is recommended to adhere to a healthy diet and refuse (or at least limit) the use of any “heavy” dishes for the digestive system, that is, all fatty, spicy or smoked foods;
• observe personal hygiene - wash hands thoroughly, keep the room clean;
• prevent hypothermia of the body and immediately begin treatment of any infectious diseases;
• try to avoid the appearance of such unpleasant conditions as diarrhea or constipation, bloating or irritation of the mucous membranes;
• periodically visit a doctor and undergo a routine examination. A disease diagnosed in time is much easier to cure than its advanced form.

The main thing in treatment is to remember that only under the guidance of a specialist can you completely get rid of the problem and minimize possible consequences.

In a healthy person, the feces contain a small amount of mucus that cannot be seen without special devices. The mucous secretions of the large intestine help the intestinal contents to be gently evacuated from the digestive tract.

A deficiency in mucus secretion can lead to constipation and increased absorption of toxic substances that are secreted by the accumulated stool.

Normal is considered to be the amount of discharge that is not visible to the naked eye. If, after the act of defecation, mucous secretions are found in the feces, then this is the first sign of diseases of the digestive system.

Mechanism of Education

Mucous discharge in the feces in an adult cannot be regarded as a symptom of a specific disease. This is one of the signs that can be regarded as the development of a pathological process in the body. With inflammatory bowel disease, mucus in the stool in an adult acts as a protective mechanism.

With constipation, the work of the large intestine is disturbed, which provokes excessive secretion of mucus to normalize the microflora. Excessive secretion of mucus prevents damage to the intestinal mucosa by the inflammatory process.

Characteristics of mucous secretions

The nature of the released secret may suggest the localization of the pathological process in the gastrointestinal tract:

• Mucous secret in the form of films and flakes of white-gray color. They envelop the stool at the level of the distal intestine, which is accompanied by stool retention.
• Mucous discharge in the form of small flakes mixed with feces. It indicates a lesion of the large intestine, sometimes there is an upset of the small intestine, then the mucus becomes yellowish.
• Mucous secretion with an admixture of blood. May appear with oncological diseases and the formation of ulcers on the intestinal mucosa.
• Fresh blood clots of mucus can be excreted in the feces in the presence of hemorrhoidal fissures or during bleeding from malignant neoplasms in the rectum.
• Mucous stools of a watery consistency are secreted in infectious diseases that affect mainly the gastrointestinal system.
• White discharge. They serve as a reaction to the penetration into the body of pathogenic microorganisms that penetrate the walls of the intestine. Pathogenic bacteria begin to release toxic substances, which contributes to the formation of white discharge.

natural causes

The normal state of the digestive system is characterized by the secretion of clear or white mucus.

The reasons for the appearance of visible mucus during constipation can be physiological factors:

1. Respiratory diseases in which sputum accumulates.
2. Daily use of poor quality water.
3. Abrupt transition to a new type of food.
4. Refusal to eat for a long time.
5. Hypothermia of the lower pelvis.
6. Prolonged retention of feces.
7. Taking certain medications that disrupt the intestinal microflora.
8. Frequent stressful situations.

An allergic reaction to some food allergens provokes the release of a large amount of mucus with feces.

Causes of a pathological nature

Constipation with mucus in an adult may indicate serious functional diseases of the digestive tract. The distal intestines, especially the large intestine, are most often affected by the pathological process.

Intestinal infections

Infectious pathogens of a bacterial or viral nature cause increased secretion of mucus by the intestinal glands. Some intestinal cells succumb to the action of infectious agents and die, then they are excreted with feces along with leukocytes. The intestinal group of diseases includes dysentery, typhoid fever and enteritis. In the clinical picture of infectious diseases, there is an increase in body temperature, abdominal pain, diarrhea is replaced by constipation.

Helminthiasis

An invasive lesion of the digestive tract with worms is accompanied by difficult defecation and accumulation of mucous secretions, sometimes with an admixture of blood. The pathological process is characterized by damage to the gastrointestinal system.

Dysbacteriosis

An imbalance in the intestinal microflora leads to a disorder in the absorption of nutrients. The secretion of excessive amounts of mucus prevents the absorption of toxic substances that are secreted by microorganisms. Pathogenic bacteria activate the pathological processes of the digestive tract. With dysbacteriosis, yellow mucus is found in the feces.

Respiratory diseases

Respiratory diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract

Viral agents, penetrating the body, cause excessive secretion of mucus. From the nasopharynx, mucous secretions are transported through the gastrointestinal system, and then exit with feces. With this mechanism of increased secretion formation, brown mucus fibers are found in the stools.

The secretion of mucus in various diseases of the digestive tract helps to reduce the inflammatory process and contributes to the slow absorption of harmful substances from feces during constipation.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal system

The most common diseases that provoke constipation and mucus in the feces in adults:

• Polyps and hemorrhoids. Mucous secretions ensure the passage of feces through the rectum without damage to its mucous membrane. After the act of defecation, jelly-like discharge can be found on toilet paper.
• Webbed colitis. Leads to functional bowel disorder. The stools come out with mucus in appearance, resembling dense films.
• Divertriculitis. It is localized mainly in the colon. It is accompanied by a delay in fecal masses and mucous secretions.
• celiac disease The disease is characterized by impaired absorption of nutrients, due to a violation of the integrity of the mucous membrane of the small intestine.
• Cystic fibrosis. A systemic genetic disease that is characterized by damage to the organs responsible for the production of mucus. There is a large amount of mucous secretions in the feces from the first month of life.

Symptoms of the disease

In most cases, stool retention is accompanied by increased separation of mucus from the feces.

The most common symptoms of mucus in stools are:

• difficult defecation;
• pain during bowel movements;
• increased body temperature;
• nausea, vomiting;
• cloudy stool;
• hard consistency of feces;
• bowel movements do not bring relief;
• flatulence.

At the first signs of increased separation of mucus with feces, it is necessary to seek the advice of a specialist to identify the cause of the pathological condition.

Condition Diagnostics

To identify and establish the cause of the secret in constipation, it is necessary to conduct a series of diagnostic studies.

Laboratory research methods:

• general blood analysis;
• general urine analysis;
• coprogram;
• micro and macroscopy of feces;
• tank sowing on the intestinal microflora;
• advanced blood biochemistry.

Instrumental research methods:

• colonoscopy;
• sigmoidoscopy;
• Ultrasound of the abdominal organs;
• x-ray of the intestine with a contrast agent.

Principles of treatment

Treatment of a pathological condition consists in eliminating the underlying disease that caused the symptom.

The appearance of white mucous secretions in the feces is an occasion to pay close attention to the state of health. White mucus in stool can be caused by certain foods or an infection.

Note! If the phenomenon manifested itself once and does not cause pain in the abdomen and discomfort, then there is no reason for special concern. But the regular presence of mucous secretions in the stool, an increase in their number, indicates a malfunction in the digestive system.

Fecal matter is a waste product of the human body. Is the presence of mucus in them the norm? Various components enter the human body with food, which are processed into feces in the gastrointestinal tract. Normally, it is brown in color with a characteristic odor. There is a small amount of mucus in the feces, but it is not noticeable - discharge can only be detected in the laboratory.

A viscous consistency begins to form in the sections of the large intestine. It is necessary so that the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract is not injured during the digestion and passage of feces. Solid stools cause constipation. A small amount of mucous secretions provides the necessary protection for the entire digestive system from injury to the walls of the gastrointestinal tract and the negative effects of harmful toxins.

Important! If during defecation feces with a white coating, then you must definitely consult a doctor and undergo an examination. With the appearance of white mucus in the feces in an adult, various pathologies and diseases can be detected.

What causes excess mucus?

The causes of the phenomenon can be very diverse - malfunctions in digestion, inflammation, damage to the gastrointestinal tract by infection. Often, non-dangerous physiological factors, rather than pathologies, contribute to increased secretion of mucus. Often, mucous discharge can be found in an infant. The phenomenon is due to the fact that the baby's digestive system is still not sufficiently developed. Viscous discharge in the stool in a child appears due to a lack of certain enzymes. The presence of white plaque on the feces in this case should not cause concern.

Various physiological causes often cause increased production of whitish mucus in the intestines. Children are especially susceptible to the phenomenon. Non-pathogenic factors in the appearance of viscous secretions in the stool include:

• With a profuse runny nose, nasal mucus flows down the back wall of the nasopharynx;
• the use of certain products - cottage cheese, bananas, watermelons, oatmeal;
• the use of low-quality drinking water;
• a sharp change in the usual diet;
• prolonged fasting;
• hypothermia of organs that are located in the small pelvis;
• bathing in reservoirs and pools;
• taking an antibiotic.

As can be seen from the above, the causes of feces in white mucus are also physiological. However, stools with mucus are not always safe. If white-gray mucous streaks can be seen in the stools, then this indicates a pathology in the sigmoid colon. White stools indicate pathology in the rectum. Yellow flaky stools indicate damage to the large intestine.

The appearance of a mucous substance in pathologies

Viscous impurities can be observed with food allergies and lactase deficiency. In such cases, the appearance of mucous secretions along with feces cannot be avoided. This is facilitated by a diet containing dairy products. In such a situation, dairy products become dangerous allergens. The same phenomenon is caused by the use of cereals, which contain a large amount of gluten. The pathology is called celiac disease.

If mucus appeared in the stool due to the above, then you should not be especially worried. Dairy products and grains should be excluded from the diet. You can eliminate the reasons that a viscous substance comes out with stools with the help of a strict diet. It helps to improve the digestive process in the gastrointestinal tract.

Diseases with such symptoms

Diseases in which a large amount of viscous discharge appears require a thorough examination of the body and subsequent therapy. First of all, the following are performed: coprogram, stool tests and tank cultures. Diagnostic measures also include radiography of the gastrointestinal tract, ultrasound, endoscopic diagnostics, macroscopic examination, sigmoidoscopy. All these methods help to identify the causes of problems in the digestive system.

The production of a large amount of secretions is provoked by such diseases:

• tumors;
• cystic fibrosis;
• infectious and inflammatory processes;
• dysbacteriosis;
• vesiculitis;
• candidiasis;
• polyps;
• haemorrhoids;
• amoebiasis;
• dysentery;
• Crohn's disease;
• proctitis;
• irritable bowel syndrome;
• intestinal obstruction;
• abscess of internal organs.

The listed ailments provoke the abundant formation of viscous secretions in the stool due to the effects of pathogenic flora and infection. Diseases can be accompanied by complications, therefore, they require timely therapy. After a thorough examination, drugs are prescribed that help avoid irritating factors and improve the digestive process.

Treatment

Traditional medicine helps to restore the work of the digestive tract.

1. To restore the stool, you need to take tinctures of the golden mustache (100 ml - 3 times a day), oregano bark (1 glass at night). These funds help to normalize the consistency of feces and eliminate flatulence.
2. You can improve digestion with a herbal mixture of walnut partitions, oak bark and pomegranate peel. The components are taken in equal parts, poured with boiling water and insisted. The mixture is used for mucous diarrhea.

For infections, antimicrobials and antibiotics are taken, means to eliminate the inflammatory process. To improve the microflora of the intestines and stomach, Linex and other probiotics are prescribed. Therapy may include the use of sorbents.

One use of drugs to restore the gastrointestinal tract is not enough. It is necessary to strictly adhere to the diet, the exclusion of irritating foods from food. Do not eat fatty, fried, spicy foods and dairy products.

Fecal masses (excrement) is a formed mass that is released from the final section of the intestine and contains the remains of an undigested food lump, bacteria, salts, toxic waste products of microorganisms that inhabit the intestinal mucosa. The color of feces depends on the amount of pigments and bile components, as well as stercobilin, a bile pigment formed during the processing of bilirubin in the large intestine. In an adult, feces contain hydrogen sulfide and other volatile substances that give the masses a characteristic odor. Mucus in the feces is necessary for the formation of a fecal lump of a dense consistency, as well as facilitating its movement through the rectum.

Fecal mucus is a viscous product of the secretory activity of the epithelial cells lining the intestinal wall, consisting of 80% glycosaminoglycans (polysaccharides associated with the protein part of proteinoglycans). In small quantities, it may be present on the surface of feces, but more often it is mixed with feces and is not noticeable during visual inspection of excrement. The color of the mucus can be milky, grayish, light yellow or cream. If white mucus in the feces of an adult appears regularly, and its amount exceeds half a teaspoon, it is necessary to consult a therapist and take a stool test, since the causes may be associated with diseases of the intestines and digestive tract.

The normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract without mucus is impossible. The mucous secretion is produced by epithelial cells that form the epithelium of the intestinal walls. Mucus performs several functions, the main of which is to protect the walls of the digestive tract from injury and damage. In the intestine, the mucus is mixed with the fecal lump and provides a comfortable sliding of the mass along the distal parts of the rectum.

Mucus also binds excess toxins and prevents their absorption by the intestinal mucosa and the development of systemic intoxication. Mucus in the stool is considered normal if:

• do not contain streaks of blood and blood clots;
• the color of the feces remains light brown;
• feces look like a long, viscous sausage;
• mucus cannot be detected without laboratory diagnostics.

Note! Normal physiological mucus may have a milky or creamy hue and a clear consistency. If white or yellow mucus is visually detected in a person's feces, this may be a poor diagnostic sign, therefore, in this situation, it is recommended to take feces for analysis.

White mucus: possible causes

One of the common pathologies of the intestines, in which streaks of white mucus may appear in the feces, is mucous (membranous) colitis. The veins are white or milky in color and in the form of long threads, so many people often confuse pathology with helminthiasis, mistaking pieces of mucus for worms and helminths. Membranous colitis is allergic in nature and is characterized by inflammation of the walls of the large intestine, which occurs against the background of food allergens entering the gastrointestinal tract.

Some experts believe that mucous colitis can be attributed to psychosomatic pathologies, therefore, one of the provoking factors is considered to be emotional overstrain and a state of chronic stress. In some cases, with membranous colitis, mucus may come out as a transparent film and cover the surface of the excrement.

irritable bowel syndrome

Pathology is characterized by a functional disorder in the work of the intestine and dystrophic changes in the mucous membranes of the intestinal walls. Patients may complain of chronic abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, and dyspeptic disorders. Treatment of the disease is always complex, including drug correction, therapeutic diet, physiotherapy, elimination of psycho-emotional factors.

White mucus in irritable bowel syndrome is usually found on the surface of feces, but in chronic stool disorders (diarrhea and constipation) it can mix with feces and thin them.

Severe systemic pathology, in which the entire gastrointestinal tract is affected, starting from the oral cavity and ending with the distal parts of the rectum and sigmoid colon. The amount of mucus in this pathology is always abundant, the discharge may have a grayish or milky tint. Other early symptoms of the disease may include:

• blood film or streaks of blood in the stool;
• pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen (often reminiscent of pain in an attack of appendicitis);
• flatulence of the intestine;
• weight loss;
• causeless vomiting and nausea;
• a large amount of mucus in the feces against the background of painful defecation.

A hallmark of Crohn's disease is long-term non-healing anal fissures and fistulous passages. The general condition of the patient is usually unsatisfactory: weakness, drowsiness appear, appetite disappears. In severe cases, the patient can be completely transferred to parenteral nutrition due to poor absorption of food.

Important! If a symptom complex appears, which may indicate damage to the digestive tract (Crohn's disease), you should immediately consult a doctor. Treatment of the disease requires the use of surgical methods and a long rehabilitation period. The risk of mortality even against the background of timely treatment and strict adherence to the treatment regimen prescribed by the doctor is more than 30%.

Causes in men

In about 10% of men, white mucus in the stool may indicate inflammation of the seminal vesicles. This is a paired organ belonging to the male reproductive system and located behind the bladder along the anterior projection of the anus. Seminal vesicles perform the most important functions, including:

• absorption of active spermatozoa with unrealized sexual arousal;
• secretion of substances that make up the seminal fluid;
• the production of fructose, which is necessary to maintain the energy activity of spermatozoa.

The appearance of visible clear white mucus is in most cases the first and only symptom. vesiculitis. Other signs may include painful urination, pain in the lower abdomen, scrotum and groin area, and mild fever.

note! If a man does not see a doctor when the initial symptoms of vesiculitis are detected, he may have erectile disorders, as well as infertility.

Bowel infections and association with mucus secretion

Intestinal infections are acute lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, arising from the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms / viruses into the mucous membranes and characterized by inflammation of the intestinal membranes. Almost all intestinal infections are accompanied by increased secretion of mucous components that are needed to protect the intestines from toxins and pathogens. Food poisoning, poisoning, intestinal infections have the same set of symptoms, which may include:

• an increase in temperature to febrile (38 ° C and above);
• repeated vomiting with foam, pieces of undigested food and an unpleasant odor;
• spastic pains in the lower abdomen, less often in the epigastric zone;
• lack of appetite and poor absorption of any food, including water.

Intestinal infections are dangerous due to the rapid development of dehydration, so the patient is recommended a plentiful drinking regimen. It is necessary to drink a person 1 teaspoon every 10-15 minutes. To normalize the water and electrolyte balance, it is better to use ready-made saline solutions, for example, Hydrovit or Regidron. For the rapid removal of toxic and blood-poisoning substances, sorbents are used: "Activated carbon", "Polysorb", "Filtrum".

Table. Intestinal infections, in which white mucus may appear in the stool.

Relationship with power mode

Increased mucus production can occur if a person does not follow a diet and allows long breaks between meals. Most often, this situation occurs in women who follow low-calorie diets or practice starvation. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to adhere to the norms of fractional nutrition and monitor the daily diet, controlling the amount of starchy food on the menu. If the formation of a mucous secretion is too active, it is necessary to reduce the consumption of the following foods and drinks:

• jelly;
• oatmeal porridge;
• pumpkin;
• beets, carrots and potatoes.

Proper nutrition is the key to health

What to do if white mucus appears in the stool?

If the correction of eating behavior does not help and mucus continues to appear regularly in the feces, it is necessary to take fecal tests for helminths, as well as a coprogram. Persons at risk for the development of hemorrhoids and colorectal cancer are recommended to consult a proctologist. With signs of dysbacteriosis, the situation can be improved with the help of bifido drugs (Linex, Acipol, Bifiform).

If other pathologies of the digestive tract and intestines are suspected, the doctor may prescribe an endoscopic examination of the intestine, for example, sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. These diagnostic methods require special training: taking laxatives, mechanical bowel cleansing with enemas, and following a special diet. Based on the results of the tests and examination, the doctor will determine the cause of the pathology and prescribe the necessary treatment, as well as give recommendations on nutrition and regimen.

Video - Dysbacteriosis

It is not customary to talk about a violation of the function of selection in society. The health problem of this area of ​​the body is so delicate that sometimes people prefer to get by with the simplest pharmacy products. Patients with bowel diseases are in no hurry to seek qualified help. It is the psychological discomfort from communicating with a doctor that explains the late detection of quite serious diseases. These include conditions characterized by the presence of impurities in the feces. Regardless of whether the mucus in the feces of an adult or a child is sick, you will need to undergo a diagnosis.

The excretory function is a complex mechanism: if at least one organ “fails”, the person’s well-being will worsen, a number of unpleasant signs will appear and, accordingly, the need to visit a specialist.
Mucus is a jelly-like conglomerate. It is secreted by the glands of the internal organs (in a particular case, these ducts lie in the tissues of the intestine), and provides a protective function. Enveloping the walls of the digestive tract, this secretion prevents the penetration of pathogenic flora inside the tissue. Pathogenic microorganisms include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. To stay in a normal state, the body needs a barrier layer.
Mucus is always present in the stool: it is precisely due to its presence that the masses move painlessly and with minimal discomfort through the intestines. If this secretion is less than the required concentration, scratches, damage (anal fissure) will occur during emptying.
The transparent secretions in question consist of intestinal mucosal epithelial cells and white blood cells - leukocytes. In the normal state of the body, this impurity should not be visible. If excess mucus in the stool is determined without the need to concentrate, the person has obvious health problems. It is impossible to exclude a violation of the functional activity of the organs of the digestive tract.

Causes of mucus in the stool

All causes of mucus in the feces in an adult and in a child are divided into diseases of infectious and inflammatory origin and oncological significance. The third group of root causes is associated with a violation of the nutrition program (quality, quantity).
The main diseases that are manifested by the release of a mucous conglomerate along with feces:

• Hemorrhoids and polyps. The secretion of the glands does not mix with the feces, but remains on its surface, which is easily determined by looking at the used toilet paper.
• Webbed (mucous) colitis. The admixture has the appearance of long dense threads, which often misleads laboratory technicians, since it is initially perceived as helminthiasis. The disorder has a functional origin.
• Intestinal infections. Stool with mucus is not the only sign of this type of disease. The patient will note intoxication (nausea, aches inside the muscles, bones, fever), spasms and intense discomfort inside the peritoneum (mainly near the navel).
• Neoplasms of the colon tissue. A less common disease that causes impurities inside the feces. Pathology is detected in the later stages and attracts attention not only with pain. Fecal excretion occurs with mucus and blood in an adult more often than in a child.
• Colon diverticulitis. The disease is a hernia - a protrusion of part of the intestine, followed by inflammation of this area. Mucus from the intestines is released simultaneously with bloody streaks, the stool is liquid, gas formation is increased.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The medical term combines impaired motility of the digestive tract; psychological problems that affect the ability of the intestines to fully digest food. This also includes the presence of gastroenteritis of bacterial origin. Also, pathology involves a systematic negative impact on the cover of the gastrointestinal tract by harmful products (strong coffee, tea, convenience foods, fast food options). Signs of the disease - alternation of constipation and disorders, an abundance of mucus during the act of defecation, increased gas formation.
• Intolerance to certain foods and impaired function of their absorption. Common variants of this disorder are problems with the breakdown of fats and absolute lactose aversion.
• Dysbacteriosis. Violation of the intestinal microflora causes an active synthesis of mucous masses. Considering the disturbed capacity of the intestine during this period, this secretion is excreted outside in large quantities, more often separately from the total mass of feces.
• Cystic fibrosis. Pathology has a genetic origin. It is characterized by the defeat of all organs, which, according to their physiological purpose, secrete secretions. The development of the disease is accompanied by active putrefactive processes inside the intestines, increased production of saliva, increased urge to defecate: almost every emptying visualizes the presence of mucus in the feces.

Important! If there are streaks of blood inside the feces, there is a high probability of a more serious pathology than hemorrhoids. In most clinical cases, the symptom indicates the formation of an oncological neoplasm.

If, simultaneously with the color of the feces, the patient feels intense pain, aversion to food (especially from meat products), pallor of the skin and dizziness, you should immediately consult a therapist. The specialist will give a referral for examination by a doctor of the appropriate profile. Further treatment will be carried out by an oncologist.
In addition to mucus, stools may contain remnants of undigested food - this is an important symptom: you should inform your doctor about your observation at the time of the interview / examination.

Less common causes of mucus in the stool

The appearance of jelly-like masses inside the feces is not always associated with the presence of serious health problems. A lot of mucus cause:

• Wrong diet, prolonged fasting. An exhausting type of diet, designed to make the figure refined, forces the body to undergo a protein deficiency. The mucous epithelium suffers from the lack of a balanced diet, it is depleted.
• Eating on the eve of bananas, cottage cheese, watermelons, cereals made from rice or oatmeal.
• The predominance of coarse dietary fiber in the diet.

It is easy to restore the intestines affected by these phenomena. Enough normalize the menu, introduce more fortified foods, soups, broths into it. Adjust the nutrition so that the portions are small, and the frequency of use is frequent.
In certain clinical cases, mucus appears instead of feces:

• With constipation. This is a condition in which the patient is unable to empty the bowels in a timely manner. Stagnation of feces causes physical and psychological discomfort. Constipation is defined as the absence of bowel movements for three days in a row.
• Intestinal obstruction. Pathology is caused by adhesive disease - the proliferation of connective tissue in response to an injury.
• Helminthiasis. A stool with mucus in an adult or a child occurs with helminthic invasions.

The child poops mucus after the incorrectly introduced first complementary foods. The condition is also preceded by a bacterial infection. When parents notice specific bowel movements, it is also important to control the baby's body temperature, appetite, and general condition.

Diagnostics

In addition to conducting an examination and clarifying complaints, the specialist clarifies the quality and diet of the patient. Then he needs to pass a stool sample to identify pathogenic microflora. Having established which specific pathogen caused the development of the disease, it will be easier for the doctor to navigate. This is also necessary for the appointment of the correct treatment (especially antibiotic therapy).
The mucus present in the feces is also subjected to study under laboratory conditions.
A blood test (clinical and biochemical) will reveal an increased number of leukocytes, which indicates the presence of a progressive inflammatory process. When mucus is noted in the feces simultaneously with red streaks and there is a suspicion of internal bleeding, an occult blood test will help identify the focus. To do this, the patient passes a small portion of feces: the laboratory assistant confirms or refutes the presence of red blood cells.
Given the preliminary diagnosis, the patient is given additional diagnostic options such as EGD and ultrasound. If necessary, x-ray examination using a barium mixture. If mucus in the feces is associated with the presence of hemorrhoids, polyps or other neoplasms of the rectum, rectoscopy will be required.

Treatment

Bright pink mucus that appears against the background of dark feces is a sign of an existing stomach ulcer, cirrhosis of the liver, or intestinal varicose veins. If this pathology is confirmed, the patient needs hemostatic therapy.

1. Aminocaproic acid is administered intravenously with a dropper. Dicinon is prescribed intramuscularly (every 6 hours, 2 ml), intravenously (slowly) calcium chloride 10% 10 ml should be administered.
2. If acute pain worries, the patient needs to be anesthetized: with peptic ulcer, the so-called dagger pain develops, which is psychologically or physically impossible to endure.
3. If the condition is observed before the doctor arrives, it is advisable not to give analgesics (especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - Voltaren, Diclofenac), apply an ice pack or any cold to the most painful area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe abdomen.
4. Call a doctor immediately. Before his arrival, you can not give food or drink - it is better to moisten the lips of the patient.
5. Emptying (mucous, frothy, with the remnants of undigested food) must be remembered by the frequency of discharge and volume - this will help the doctor understand the clinical picture. The same goes for vomit and urination.

The pediatrician is engaged in the elimination of mucus in the intestines of the child. If a health problem is caused by improper (premature) feeding or individual intolerance to milk, the doctor will help you make the right menu, prescribe drugs to eliminate allergic manifestations.

When the mucous character of the bowel movements is caused by the presence of worms inside the intestines, the specialist will prescribe anthelmintic drugs. The simplest of them is Pirantel.
If the digestive disorder is provoked by intestinal obstruction and the presence of adhesions is confirmed, this condition is not treated conservatively. An effective therapeutic approach would be surgery. It involves the dissection of the fused sections of the intestine for the full movement of food along the tract.
Treatment of hemorrhoids depends on its stage at the time of treatment. Options for solving the problem are the use of rectal suppositories or ointments. Polyps are eliminated through surgery (but only when they are large, constantly bleeding or damaged).

If the patient is concerned only with mucus, he will not be referred for surgery.
To eliminate a bacterial infection, serious and long-term treatment will be needed: bed rest, antibiotic therapy, fortified food, heavy drinking, and restriction of motor activity.
At the time of contacting a specialist, it is important to explain not only the main complaints - pain, constipation, slow metabolism: the patient must describe what the mucus in the stool looks like. This will help the doctor to recreate an accurate clinical picture, draw up an examination plan, and prescribe treatment.
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