Feces in white mucus cause. A serious problem or a trifle that does not require attention? Mucus in the feces of a child and its causes

The date: 26.06.2020

Most people do not tend to carefully examine their own feces, and the design of modern plumbing often interferes with such research. If various kinds of impurities and inclusions are accidentally found in excrement, then it makes sense to be wary: some of them may be the first clinical manifestations of pathologies. Separate impurities are a good reason for a visit to a doctor and further medical examination, which necessarily includes the delivery of tests.

Normal stool composition, color and consistency

A healthy adult person excretes an average of 300 g of excrement per day, and bowel movements usually occur once a day.

Note:normal stool has an almost uniform consistency.

The main constituents of excrement are:

In the absence of acute and chronic diseases, as well as intestinal disorders, the color of the stool of an adult varies from light brown to dark brown.

Color change is one of the signs of the development of pathology. A greenish tint is one of the symptoms of regional enteritis (Crohn's disease), gray color indicates problems with the pancreas, light gray or almost white - a violation of the functional activity of the liver (in particular, with Botkin's disease). A yellow tint indicates a disease of the gallbladder.

What are the impurities?

The following impurities are most often detected in feces:

leftover food;
slime;
blood;
foreign inclusions;
pus.

The presence of impurities may indicate the development of diseases (sometimes - quite serious pathologies of the digestive system), but often it is due to the nature of the diet.

Leftover food in feces

If you find whole corn kernels or seeds (for example, sunflower seeds) in your feces, this is not a reason to sound the alarm. Some foods are very difficult to digest, especially if they are poorly chewed. Also, digestive enzymes are completely unable to cope with the veins present in meat products, as well as fish bones and fragments of eggshells.

The reason for a visit to the doctor is the presence of undigested meat fibers, as well as cottage cheese or eggs in the excrement. This symptom indicates a lack of digestive enzymes.

Note:the presence of large particles of undigested food is called lientorea. When meat fibers are found, they speak of creatorrhea.

Enzyme deficiencies can be caused by:

insufficient secretion of pancreatic juice (after resection of part of the pancreas or against the background of pancreatitis);
inhibition of the secretion of enzymes in the intestine;
pronounced atrophy of the gastric mucosa.

Food debris can appear in the stool during its accelerated evacuation against the background of increased peristalsis. In this case, some foods simply do not have time to digest and assimilate. A similar phenomenon is particularly characteristic of irritable bowel syndrome.

If the stool has an oily sheen, this is a sign of steatorrhea, that is, the presence of a large amount of lipid compounds (fats).

Possible causes of steatorrhea:

a large amount of fat in the diet;
diseases of the liver, gallbladder and ducts (cirrhosis, hepatitis, cholecystitis, etc.);
pancreatic diseases (inflammation, strictures, ulcers and tumors);
hemochromatosis (accumulation of iron in organs against the background of metabolic disorders);
intestinal pathologies (inflammatory, autoimmune and neoplastic);
endocrine diseases and pathologies of the endocrine glands;
congenital (hereditary) diseases;
systemic manifestations of skin diseases;
excessive consumption of laxatives.

Mucus in the feces

Note:the presence of some mucus in the stool (in the form of lumps or blotches) is the norm for young children who are breastfed. Mother's milk is characterized by high fat content, which the baby's digestive enzymes are not yet able to fully cope with.

In any healthy person, the cells of the intestinal wall produce mucus, which is necessary to facilitate the passage of feces through the lower parts of the digestive tract. A small amount of colorless (almost clear) mucus is often normal and is not a cause for concern.

If mucus is secreted in a large volume or has a brown or yellowish color, this may indicate the following pathologies:

increased intestinal peristalsis;
inflammatory diseases of non-infectious origin;
acute intestinal infections (dysentery, typhoid fever, etc.);
benign or malignant formations;

Note:often a large amount of mucus is the first clinical sign of the development of regional enteritis (). An admixture of a significant amount of mucus is also quite often fixed in chronic constipation.

By the degree to the nature of the distribution of the mucous component in the feces, it is possible to determine the height of the location of the pathological focus. If the mucus permeates the excrement relatively evenly, then the inflammatory process is localized in the upper parts of the intestine, if the impurities are determined on the surface (more often in the form of lumps), then the lower parts are affected.

Feces with impurities of blood

The presence of blood in excrement is an unconditional reason to see a doctor, since it can be a clinical manifestation of the following diseases:

autoimmune intestinal pathologies ();
malignant neoplasms of the digestive tract;
benign tumors of the intestinal walls ();
ischemic colitis;
diseases of an infectious origin (, dysentery, etc.);
and ulcers of the rectum and rectal area;
intestinal angiodysplasia;
blood pathology (clotting disorder);
some helminthic invasions (in particular - ascariasis).

The volume of blood varies depending on the nature of the disease and the severity of the pathology. In feces, only small and inconspicuous streaks are often present, but in case of serious pathologies during defecation, up to 200 ml or more can be released. In this case, we are already talking about intestinal bleeding, which requires urgent measures.

Note:in some pathologies, only blood mixed with intestinal mucus is released during the act of defecation.

The color of blood in the stool makes it possible, with a high degree of probability, to determine the approximate localization of the bleeding focus. The scarlet color and the location of blood on top of the feces suggests that there is a pathology of the sigmoid, descending or rectum. Fresh blood is also released from fissures in the anus and hemorrhoids. Darker blood and blood clots, which are relatively evenly mixed with feces, suggest that the source of bleeding is in the upper large intestine (colon) or in the small intestine. Black staining of the stool may indicate that blood is secreted in the stomach or esophagus (the specific color is due to the fact that the blood has been exposed to hydrochloric acid of gastric juice).

Note:reddish stools or burgundy streaks are not always due to the presence of blood - be sure to remember if you ate beets the day before?

Foreign inclusions

The presence of films in feces may be due to a rather serious pathology of the large intestine - pseudomembranous colitis, often caused by prolonged or irrational antibiotic therapy.

Fragments of necrotic tissues are found during the disintegration of malignant tumors, as well as during intussusceptions against the background of intestinal obstruction.

When pharmacological preparations are taken in granular forms, their particles are also often determined in the stool. Activated carbon gives the excrement a black color.

In feces, the so-called. pancreatic, biliary and intestinal calculi - coprolites. Intestinal seals (stones) are not true calculi, but are strongly compacted feces, formed against the background of chronic constipation. This pathology is more typical for elderly patients. True coprolites consist of an organic core with gradually overgrown mineral salts. The presence of such calculi in the feces suggests a disease of the pancreas or bile ducts.

Pus in the stool

The presence of pus in feces is an unconditional evidence of the development of pathology of inflammatory genesis. In most cases, pus is determined in parallel with blood and mucus.

Pus can have a yellowish or greenish tint and appears with the following diseases:

proctitis;
infectious colitis;
ulcerative colitis;
decay (in the later stages of cancer);
breakthrough of an abscess into the intestinal lumen;
autoimmune bowel disease (Crohn's disease).

Important:remember that if pus is released during bowel movements, then self-medication is categorically unacceptable. In this case, there can be no question of a positive effect.

Treatment

The detection of most of the mentioned impurities is the basis for contacting a polyclinic with a gastroenterologist. The local therapist can also refer the patient to a specialized specialist and prescribe a series of tests.

Specialists whose consultation you may need:

proctologist;
infectious disease specialist;
surgeon;
hematologist;
oncologist.

Important:when a large amount of blood is released against the background of a deteriorating general condition, an ambulance team should be called. Massive bleeding is a life-threatening condition and requires admission to an intensive care unit or intensive care unit.

To make or clarify the diagnosis, in most cases, the patient is referred for examination to an endoscopist.

Plisov Vladimir, medical columnist

The presence of mucus in the stool of an adult is quite common. One of the reasons for the prevalence of this problem is the small amount of attention that a modern person pays to his health. Mucus in feces in an adult appears as a result of malfunctioning of the gastrointestinal tract. To correctly understand the reasons for the appearance of white mucus in the stool, it is necessary to understand what disturbances in the work of the intestines lead to the appearance of mucus.

Also, the appearance of mucus can be triggered by various inflammatory processes occurring in the intestines or by taking strong antibiotics. Various types of food allergies also cause a lot of mucus in the stool. It is produced by goblet cells to protect the intestinal mucosa from unwanted influences of both mechanical and bacterial nature, in addition, it provides isolation from moisture when the body experiences such a need.

The causes of mucus are often hidden in the heredity received by a sick person from their relatives. Stress can be one of the probable causes of its occurrence. The stress experienced by a person inevitably disrupts the connection between the gut and the human brain. Characteristic signs indicating this cause of mucus formation may be:

Severe bloating after eating;
Feeling of nausea that appears more or less regularly for no apparent reason;
Vomit;

Polypous adenomas can provoke the formation of mucus in the feces. In simple terms, these are benign formations growing from the walls of the intestine; it is impossible to diagnose the appearance of such formations without consulting a doctor, since the process is asymptomatic.

The first sign that feces with mucus in a child or an adult requires the attention of specialists is the very fact that this problem has been detected. Mucus is present in the feces, even if a person is completely healthy, but in such cases it cannot be detected visually, without additional laboratory studies.

The following foods can provoke the appearance of such a phenomenon as feces with mucus:

Oat groats;
Cottage cheese;

However, these products can contribute to the appearance of mucus only when the patient suffers from colds. Mucus can be a sign that the patient has other, no less serious health problems:

Bowel irritation;
Violation of the balance of intestinal microflora;
Crohn's disease;
Stomach ulcer;
Various tumors occurring in the gastrointestinal tract;

An experienced specialist is able to accurately diagnose any of the listed diseases and prescribe an effective solution, therefore, if mucus appears in the stool, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Methods for treating mucus in feces

When starting the treatment of a particular bowel disease, it should be remembered that this process is not fleeting. A patient who wants to get rid of mucus needs to have in his arsenal not only patience, but also an experienced doctor - a gastroenterologist who will prescribe a course of treatment and help cope with the disease. An extremely important point in the treatment of the gastrointestinal tract, in general, and mucus in the feces in particular, is the restoration of normal intestinal microflora. It is worth starting treatment with the selection of a diet. The doctor will help the patient to determine the diet for the week. In addition, treatment is possible with the help of various medications, which you should not take on your own, in order to avoid undesirable consequences for the body.

How to properly collect a stool sample for mucus treatment?

Preparation for taking a feces analysis should begin with a temporary or permanent cessation of taking various medications. These actions are subject to mandatory agreement with the attending physician. As a rule, medication should be stopped 14 days before the expected date of the test. Such actions apply only to those drugs, the use of which can affect the result of the coprogram. These drugs are:

Antibiotics;
Medicines to combat diarrhea;
Drugs that affect the acidity of the stomach;
Preparations for the fight against helminths (worms);

Also, the analysis of feces will not be accurate enough, which means it will be effective if the patient at the time of delivery has bleeding hemorrhoids or menstruation. It is not recommended to do enemas before taking a stool test. Taking stool for analysis from the toilet with the remains of various household chemicals is also unacceptable. The container in which it is planned to transfer feces for analysis must be dry and sterile. Before collecting stool for analysis, you should pee and wash the perineum using neutral materials such as baby soap. Stool storage is considered permissible for 8 hours before delivery, at a neutral air temperature. In addition to stool analysis, other tests may be required to effectively treat mucus.

If a person sees that white mucus has appeared in the feces, then he should immediately consult a doctor for help. Many people, noticing mucus in their feces or feces with mucus in a child, do not attach much importance to this phenomenon, thereby making a serious and dangerous mistake. The appearance of mucus in the stool signals a disorder and malfunction of the gastrointestinal tract, which in turn can lead to various diseases of varying severity. Treatment of mucus in the feces is almost always conservative, that is, it does not require surgical treatment. If a patient who has consulted a doctor with complaints of mucus in the feces has learned about other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, then the treatment should be comprehensive, otherwise it simply does not make sense.

Based on the statistical data available to modern science and medicine, we can say that the solution to such a problem as mucus in the feces is not always quick, but the effectiveness of such treatment is beyond doubt. A patient who has timely addressed a highly qualified doctor has every reason to believe that this problem will be resolved in the foreseeable future. In cases where the appearance of mucus was triggered by stress, the help of a psychologist may be required.

The feces of a healthy person usually do not contain noticeable particles of mucus. In this case, white mucus in the feces, impurities of a different color and consistency are formed in insignificant quantities due to the activity of the intestinal glands. With the help of mucus in the feces, the process of the release of digestive waste from the human body is simplified.

When mucous discharge is the norm

The passage of feces with mucus in an adult is a physiological process. The mucous substance envelops the intestinal walls, thereby protecting them from the irritating effects of various substances. That is, treatment is not always necessary, because in a number of different situations, a certain amount of mucus in the feces is quite normal. If there is no mucous discharge in the feces, a person may develop constipation, certain difficulties during bowel movements.

The release of feces with mucus in an adult can play an important role. Normally, it is a jelly-like substance of light or transparent color, which is based on epithelial and leukocyte cells.

If there is a lot of mucus in the stool and you can see it, you should not panic. Visible mucus coming out of the anus is considered normal in certain situations. There are a number of cases when mucus in an adult should be perceived not as a pathology, but as a natural state:

During a cold and runny nose, a large amount of mucus, that is, phlegm, enters the esophagus and then into the intestines.
After taking a lot of certain foods in our usual diet. The main nutritional reasons are the use of oatmeal, bananas, cottage cheese, watermelons. The presence of a mucous substance in the feces speaks especially about the peculiarities of nutrition.
The mucus in the feces during pregnancy simultaneously covers the features of nutrition and some disorders of the body's functions. However, if a woman's mucus in her feces is very noticeable when carrying a child, it is better to consult a doctor about this. After childbirth, watery and slimy feces are also not uncommon in women.

Pathological causes

As a rule, the appearance of feces with white mucus or an abundant amount of a jelly-like substance with a yellowish tinge, impurities of green or white, indicates the presence of intestinal problems. This mainly concerns the distal sections, that is, we are talking about the large intestine.

In adults, with hemorrhoids, dysbiosis, and other disorders, the intestinal glands actively produce an excess amount of mucus in order to neutralize certain negative factors.

What does the mucus in the intestines say? In adults, this may mean that the body includes a protective special function in case of irritation of the intestinal walls with harmful substances or dangerous microbes. The mucus on the surface of the walls protects them, envelops them and acts as a lubricant.

The discovery of an adult also indicates that inflammatory processes are taking place in his intestines. But before you get rid of a pathological substance in excess, you need to understand why it appears and in the form of what impurities.

Depending on where the inflammatory process may be present, excrement appears along with a different type of substance:

Impurities in the form of filaments, jelly-like film or large flakes. These white-gray mucous masses can appear on the surface of the stool. The presence of a long film or some kind of filaments indicates that the distal intestine is affected. In parallel with this, in addition to tape mucous inclusions, solid feces are observed. It comes out with difficulty or is accompanied by prolonged constipation.
Small flakes mixed with faeces. Thick feces of a dense structure are mixed with mucous inclusions, that is, the presence of clots is inside and outside. This means that the upper sections of the large intestine are affected, and in some cases this situation is prerequisites for the defeat of the small intestine. Then the jelly-like substance will be yellow.

Diseases with mucous feces

If mucus appears in the stool in abundant quantities, or even if there is little of it, it is better to immediately consult a specialist. You should not take Linex or Enterofuril on your own before consulting your doctor. First, a specialist must conduct an examination, study the analysis of feces and make an appropriate conclusion. Almost everything that can help determine the development of diseases in the early stages is indicated in.

Thorough examination of stool allows you to find and prevent all kinds of diseases. Such simple studies as the analysis of feces, urine and blood are the basis for understanding the current state of health of each person. In case of hemorrhoids, constipation, other diseases, discomfort, when you are pursued by constant rumbling in your stomach, see your doctor for a routine preventive checkup. The appearance of mucus in the stool is a reason to consult a specialist.

Frequent bowel movements, a lot of mucus, itching in the anus, and stool with an unpleasant odor that is not your body's characteristic may indicate potential problems.

There are several diseases that can cause loose stools with mucus, for example:

With hemorrhoids or internal polyps. With the help of the mucus that our body produces, a protective shell is created. But the discharge of a mucous substance in a person with hemorrhoids is different, since jelly-like threads have their own characteristics. They do not mix with feces, and after defecation, they can go out on their own without feces and remain on used paper.
Mucous colitis. It is also called webbed. It is a dangerous functional lesion of the human intestine. In this case, the mucous component is represented by threads or dense films. Because of this, they look a bit like tapeworms. You should not confuse them, but it is better to seek help from a doctor.
Suction problems. The reason for the appearance of mucus is that the body cannot absorb certain foods. This is due to the patient's food intolerance or food allergy. That is, a person is not able to consume even a small amount of certain food products. These diseases include celiac disease, lactose intolerance and malabsorption syndrome.
Dysbacteriosis. Sticky mucus and even green feces with mucus can be caused by dysbiosis. In this case, the normal beneficial intestinal microflora is disrupted, nutrients are not absorbed. Poisoning, vomiting, flatulence and other unpleasant symptoms may also appear. A person is worried about frequent stools, mucus comes out in large quantities, since it is produced to remove various toxins and harmful toxins. However, with dysbiosis in the human body, pathogenic microflora is activated, which leads to inflammatory processes. In this case, it is imperative to get rid of mucus. Dysbacteriosis can develop against the background of other diseases, after taking antibiotics and some other provoking factor. This requires a consultation with a doctor in order to accurately diagnose. In no case should you use folk remedies without the consent of a specialist.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The disease does not look the best, since a person is often worried about diarrhea, a jelly-like mass comes out of the anus along with feces. Soft stools turn into diarrhea with mucus in an adult.
Intestinal infectious lesions. Green stools with mucus, dark stools with black mucous impurities, may appear against the background of infections affecting the intestines. Purulent discharge indicates a serious neglect of the disease, therefore, you should definitely seek help. High fever, mushy stools, and foul-smelling mucus in stool indicate potential infection. Slimy pus is very dangerous as a sign of an illness. Home treatment may be ineffective and you will be referred to a hospital. It all depends on the doctor's decision and the results of the analysis.
Diverticulitis This is inflammation and hernia formation on the intestinal wall. In addition to the impurities in the feces themselves, diarrhea is a symptom of this disease. Plus, there is abundant gas formation, pain in the lower left abdomen.
Cystic fibrosis. This is a congenital disease of a genetic nature, characterized by damage to the organs responsible for the secretion of mucus. It is more common in children, but it can also be in adult patients.
Tumors. Porridge-like feces are supplemented with blood impurities in the form of veins, there are pains in the lower abdomen, and general weakness is observed. The very first signs should be an immediate reason to see a doctor.

Diagnostics of possible violations

Also, discharge can provoke diseases such as gastritis, pancreatitis, rotavirus. Diseases are not always the culprit. For example, poisoning, side effects after suppositories, antibiotics can also increase the activity of producing mucous masses and remove them along with feces.

But if you notice green stools with mucus or pus in your stool, which usually produces brown mucus, seek medical advice immediately. Trying to cure or independently determine why mucus appears instead of feces is not recommended. There are several potential causes of mucosal excretion without feces - worms, constipation, and intestinal obstruction. One way or another, each of the diseases or disorders leading to such symptoms requires exclusively professional intervention.

Any non-normal discharge from the anus during bowel movements, such as foamy feces, blood clots, or an uncharacteristic color of stool, is a good reason to get tested and undergo a comprehensive examination. Feel free to take the coprogram at least once a year. For an adult, this is not just useful, but necessary. A good and correct bowel movement is a sign of an excellent state of the body.

Sometimes mucus in the stool even bothers an adult. But one should not think that the presence of mucus in the stool is always a bad sign, as it happens to be normal. But if the mucus makes you suspicious, plus you feel unwell, then it is better to see a doctor immediately.

What is slime?

Mucus is a clear or yellowish jelly-like substance that is normally mixed with feces and expelled during bowel movements. It is almost impossible to notice it with the naked eye.

Normally, mucus performs a number of functions in the body in an adult and in a child:

envelops the intestinal walls, allowing feces to leave the body without hindrance and painless;
provides protection to the intestinal walls, because if the stool is very hard it can lead to cracks or tears in the intestines, but we wrote earlier;
the mucus that is in the lungs, nasopharynx or other organs in which it performs its functions comes out along with the feces.

The mucus in the stool can be of pathological or non-pathological origin. Non-pathological mucus usually has a whitish or yellowish tint, sometimes clearly white, and in pathology it is pink, yellow, brown, black, orange, red, bloody, or simply with blood impurities in the form of clots or veins, or in the form of a thread.

With pathology, a lot of mucus will come out or even one mucus will come out instead of feces.

It is impermissible to ignore such a phenomenon and you should immediately consult a doctor for advice and treatment. Only a specialist will establish why feces with mucus leave the intestines and how to fix it.

Causes of mucus in feces

A person may notice an increased amount of mucus or a color change when they feel normal or when they are worried about something. He can also note that after the enema, stool and mucus come out, which either floats on the surface or is mixed with feces.

If a person consumes large quantities of fermented milk products, oatmeal, or, on the contrary, goes hungry for a long time or does not receive protein food, then mucus may appear in the feces. This is not a pathological process and there is nothing to worry about. It is enough to change your diet and everything will return to normal.

But if there are no problems in nutrition, then this indicates the development of a fungal, infectious or viral disease of the body, and not just the gastrointestinal tract.

Such diseases include:

when the intestinal mucosa bulges inward;
, the duodenum or any part of the intestine (small, large or rectum);
intestinal neoplasms;
, haemorrhoids;
when the normal intestinal microflora is destroyed, food is not completely digested and irritates the mucous layer, which causes mucus to come out with feces;
, it happens for various reasons: constipation, or cracks, all this can provoke an ailment;
One type of intestinal obstruction
- This is a special condition in which the entire intestinal tract suffers. Frequent spasms, weak secretion of enzymes cause a violent reaction of the body, because of which the feces come out with mucus or even with blood;
;
intolerance to the body of any food;
acute respiratory infections, there is no pathology as such, because the mucus comes out that is swallowed by a person from the nasopharynx and, when the runny nose is cured, then the mucus from the feces will also disappear;
infectious diseases caused by salmonella, shigel or other bacteria;
fungal infection of the body;
insufficient production of enzymes by the organs of the gastrointestinal tract.
Enzymes of the gastrointestinal tract

Symptoms of the disease

Usually, people do not detect mucus in their feces by accident, but in those cases when something bothers them. That is, a large amount of mucus is one of the symptoms that signal the development of the disease.

In addition, patients usually feel:

severe abdominal pain, cramps;
bloating and;
tightness of the abdomen, constipation or diarrhea;
in severe cases, vomiting or other phenomena;
painful sensations during the act of defecation;
impurities of blood or pus in the stool, possibly undigested food debris;
change in the shape and consistency of feces, its nonspecific odor;
mucus or bloody substance may remain on toilet paper or the patient's underwear;
with respiratory diseases, the characteristic symptoms of cough, nasal congestion, rhinitis and more;
headaches and fatigue.

Having found these symptoms, as well as ichor or white discharge with feces, you should immediately consult a doctor and be tested to establish the cause of this phenomenon.

What it is and how to treat it can only be told by a competent specialist, and there is no need to self-medicate.

Diagnostics

Mucus in an adult's stool is sometimes the first sign of a serious illness of the human body, and most often specifically of the gastrointestinal tract. To recognize it in the early stages, you need to see a therapist. He will study your symptoms, the presence of not only mucus, but also other signs of the disease, find out what is the frequency of the stool and its nature, and will refer you to a narrow-profile specialist (gastroenterologist, proctologist, oncologist). A narrow-profile doctor will definitely prescribe a number of tests and examine the patient.

Studies to determine the causes of mucus in the feces include:

collection of feces for;
and the simplest;
narrower analyzes for helminthic invasions (opisthorchiasis, strongyloidosis, amebiasis, fascilosis) as prescribed by a doctor;
(including intestines);
computer or magnetic resonance;
a blood test for viral diseases;
additionally, you can pass biochemical blood tests, as well as a general clinical blood test.

Colonoscopy helps to identify dangerous bowel diseases

After examining the results of the examinations, the doctor will diagnose the patient and prescribe the appropriate treatment, which will be selected individually for the given case, taking into account the characteristics of the patient's body.

Treatment

Treatment will depend on the diagnosis made by your doctor. But even if an infection, helminthic invasion or cancer is detected, treatment should be comprehensive and include:

Medication.
Compliance with diet and proper nutrition.
Compliance with the regime of the day.

When prescribing drugs that normalize the work of the pancreas. If the patient has cancer or other neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are prescribed.

If the appearance of mucus in the feces in an adult is associated with excessive consumption of alcohol or unsuitable food, as well as taking medications, then it is enough to eliminate the provoking factor and the problem will go away by itself.

An important stage not only in recovery, but in prevention is adherence to proper nutrition and daily regimen. Foods such as oatmeal or oatmeal cause excessive white, dense mucus, but bananas or persimmons will better bind it back to normal.

So see your doctor before treating a symptom. Suddenly, in your case, there is no reason for concern, but unreasonable medication can only harm.

Why mucus can appear in the intestines, video:

Mucus in the feces 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 is accompanied by diarrhea, acute colitis or the appearance of bacterial infections, but mucus can also appear as a result of an improperly composed 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 mucus

Mucus is a white, jelly-like substance that sometimes takes on a yellow tint. It can be found in the gastrointestinal tract, on the lining 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 types of mechanical damage and serves as a kind of lubricant. Typically, a healthy body produces about 1 liter of this substance per day.

Mucus 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.

In the gastrointestinal tract, mucus is needed in order to ensure a quick and comfortable movement of feces through the intestines until it is emptied. If it is not there, then processed food can cause discomfort or even mechanical damage to the delicate mucous membranes. Scratches or anal fissures will occur, which will lead to the onset of inflammatory processes. If a lot of mucus comes out, then this indicates only one thing - certain changes have occurred in the body, which provoked this phenomenon.

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

For what diseases does mucus appear in the feces

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 the release of blood.
Polyp formation.
Membranous colitis, which is generally characterized by a malfunction 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 disrupted 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 against harmful bacteria and tries to prevent the onset of the inflammatory process.
Bowel diseases caused by intestinal infection.
Irritable bowel.
Diverticulitis localized in the large intestine. Together with mucus, a person begins to be bothered by pain in the abdominal cavity, which are pulling in 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. It is accompanied by paroxysmal pain, flatulence, frequent urge to defecate, severe cough and the inability of the body's immune forces to defend against the negative effects of respiratory viruses.
Good 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 clearly identifies this disease at the initial stage.
Proctitis is an inflammation of the rectum (its mucous membrane), which can take both acute and chronic forms.
Crohn's disease, in which mucus is actively secreted and severe pain in the abdominal cavity occurs.
Amoebiasis is an infectious disease characterized by the appearance of lesions that resemble ulcers. Also, with it, abscesses appear in the internal organs.
Dysentery, in which mucus in the stool mixes with the blood.
Escherichiosis is a disease that is provoked by Escherichia coli. In addition to the appearance of mucus, the main signs are high body temperature, nausea and vomiting, and loose stools.
Intestinal obstruction, which is often accompanied by persistent abdominal pain, decreased appetite, and decreased ability to concentrate.

Hemorrhoids are one of the most common causes of mucus in the stool.

Since rare and not abundant mucous discharge is not a sign of the presence of pathology in the body, they do not require treatment. In turn, the frequent and abundant white mucus in the feces requires a visit to a doctor, who will send the patient to pass 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 in more detail about this phenomenon and the need for its treatment at a consultation.

What tests can be prescribed

Initially, the doctor needs to draw up a clinical picture, for which he interviews the patient. Based on the data received, he can prescribe one of the following analyzes:

coprogram;
macro- and microscopy of feces;
colonoscopy of the intestine;
Ultrasound of specific abdominal organs (stomach, intestines, etc.);
blood chemistry;
radiography;
sigmoidoscopy of the rectum;
sowing feces for helminths.

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

How to treat mucus in stool

The ways to get rid of this phenomenon are diverse, as well as the number of reasons that cause it. Therapy should be based on test results 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 disturbing.

The simplest option for a relatively quick restoration of the gastrointestinal tract is possible only if the problem lies in a violation of the diet and an incorrectly composed 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 contribute to the normalization of the microflora of the stomach and negatively affect pathogens.

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

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

selection of a sparing diet, the components of which are determined based on the reasons that caused the pathology;
choosing the right course of treatment - taking medications, hospitalization followed by surgery, chemical therapy or body support with the help of traditional medicine;
getting rid of the unpleasant symptoms of the underlying disease - a decrease in body temperature, normalization of stools, 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 intake of drugs.

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 a preventive measure, you can do the following:

carefully monitor 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" food for the digestive system, that is, everything fatty, spicy or smoked;
observe personal hygiene - wash your hands thoroughly, keep the room clean;
prevent hypothermia of the body and immediately begin treatment of any diseases of an infectious nature;
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 timely diagnosed disease is much easier to cure than its advanced form.

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