Ulcerative Colitis and Mucus in Stool

The cause of UC isn’t known, but there may be a genetic link because UC tends to run in families. Stress may also play a role because attacks often occur during times when you’re under stress or traveling long distances on a plane or bus ride.

At first glance, you may think that ulcerative colitis has little to do with mucus in your stool. But when you have ulcerative colitis, the mucus you see in your stool is not just there randomly—it’s a sign of inflammation.

• It’s important to understand what an ulcer is before we talk about its role in mucus production. An ulcer is an open sore on the skin or inside of an organ (like the colon).
• Ulcers can be painful and sometimes even bleed. They can also be small or large, shallow or deep, and located anywhere from just outside of your colon all the way down through it until it reaches your rectum where you pass waste matter through it out of your body via pooping (called defecation).

The mucus-producing cells in your intestine react to the inflammation by producing more mucus as a natural defense.

Mucus is a slimy substance produced by the body to protect the lining of your intestines. Mucus can be white, yellow, or green and may be clear or cloudy. The mucus-producing cells in your intestine react to the inflammation by producing more mucus as a natural defense.

As you continue to have flares of IBD, more damage occurs and more mucus is needed for protection. Some people with IBD will never develop enough symptoms to require medication for their condition, but others may need medicines that stop inflammation and reduce diarrhea.
The increased mucus can make your stool looser and more watery than usual.
Mucus in your stool can be a sign of a serious health problem, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes long-lasting inflammation of the inner lining of the large intestine or colon. Ulcerative colitis is often called “colitis with ulcers” because the inflamed tissues form open sores on the colon wall that expose the underlying blood vessels and nearby organs to fecal matter and bacteria. These sores eventually heal into scar tissue, which can cause long-term symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss.
Mucus in stool can be caused by both diseases as well as other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

You may also notice other symptoms with ulcerative colitis, such as diarrhea, abdominal cramping and pain, fever, weight loss or blood in the stool.

You may also notice other symptoms with ulcerative colitis, such as diarrhea, abdominal cramping and pain, fever, weight loss or blood in the stool.

A rare but serious complication of ulcerative colitis is toxic megacolon (colon dilatation), which can be fatal if it’s not treated. Symptoms include:

• Abdominal distension or bloating
• Fever of 100°F (38°C) or higher
• Severe abdominal pain that worsens with a change in position from lying down to sitting up

Seeing mucus in your stool can be alarming at first, but there are many possible causes for this symptom.

Seeing mucus in your stool can be alarming at first, but there are many possible causes for this symptom. Mucus is a thin, clear substance that lines your stomach and intestines and helps keep them healthy by trapping bacteria and other particles.

Bloody mucus in stool can be caused by irritation of the lining of the colon from diarrhea or constipation. A doctor may recommend taking a laxative to soften stools or slow down transit time through the digestive tract, which may help reduce pain and bleeding.

If you’re experiencing bloody mucus in stool along with abdominal cramps, fever and chills—or any other signs of illness—make an appointment with your doctor immediately.

Conclusion

If you’re seeing mucus in your stool, it could be a sign of a more serious condition. It’s important to see your doctor if you have bloody mucus in your stool and diarrhea, as this could be indicative of an infection that requires antibiotics or an sign of inflammatory bowel disease.. Speak to our expert to find out more about inflammatory bowel disease.