What comes out with feces. Causes, accompanying symptoms and methods for eliminating mucus in the stool in a child. Diseases of the gastrointestinal system

Pathological changes in the feces that can be seen with the naked eye include blood impurities, mucus, and the appearance of greenery. They make it possible to suspect serious diseases, even in the absence of active complaints from the gastrointestinal tract. If mucus is found in the secretions, a consultation with a gastroenterologist is required with further diagnosis and identification of the cause of the disease.

The causes of the disease can be varied. Mucus can appear as a result of an infectious lesion or other serious diseases, or be the result of physiological manifestations.

Non-pathological cases

Mucus is normally produced by intestinal cells to facilitate the passage of the food bolus. In many ways, it is thanks to her that the food bolus "slides" through the digestive tract. Normally, the appearance of excess mucus can be with:

Hard chair. The secretion of mucus is increased to facilitate the passage of feces. Hard stools may not be pathological constipation, but the result of an improper diet with insufficient fluid content and.
Catarrhal phenomena of the respiratory system. With a respiratory viral infection, sinusitis, and even with allergic rhinitis, excess mucus enters the esophagus and passes through the entire gastrointestinal tract in transit.
Food. Some foods themselves contain a lot of mucus: bananas, watermelons, cottage cheese, oatmeal.

Pathological causes

There are much more pathological causes that can increase the content of mucus. Depending on the substrate that caused hyperproduction, they can be divided into various subgroups, in each of which many pathologies can be counted.

Inflammatory diseases

Infectious pathologies of the intestine

The main infections that cause excessive mucus secretion include:

Autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune inflammation of the intestinal wall includes the following pathologies:

It is characterized by damage to the mucous membrane of the large intestine in a certain area with the formation of ulcers.
. Refer to an autoimmune pathology with a genetic predisposition, in which ulcerative defects are formed throughout the entire intestinal tube.

Malabsorption

Absorption disorders can be observed and accompany many diseases, but there are pathologies, more often of hereditary or genetic origin:

Neoplasms

Benign and malignant tumors of the intestinal tube can be manifested by mucus in the stool:

. The more, the more mucus in the feces will be. It is formed both as a compensatory substance to facilitate patency, and as a substrate secreted by the polyps themselves, if glandular cells are included in their mucosa.
Cancer diseases. As a result of the formation of tumors, irritation of the intestinal mucosa occurs, which increases mucus formation.

The color of the secreted mucus

When examining feces, only by the color and characterological features of the secreted mucus, one can assume a disease and outline a plan for further examination and therapy:

The most common diseases accompanied by the release of mucus

When mucus is found in the feces, the doctor must first confirm or reject the formation of the most common pathology.

bowel cancer

The disease is not the most common, but the most dangerous. First of all, you need to exclude it. In parallel with the appearance of mucus, blood is often found in the stool. Mucous accumulations can be polymorphic: fall out in large and small lumps and flakes, of different colors.

The following symptoms should be alert:

unmotivated weight loss;
unstable chair;
recurrent abdominal pain, flatulence.

A disease that manifests itself often, but requires the greatest diagnosis. To make such a diagnosis, a complete gastroenterological examination is necessary, in which the results of all studies will be normal.

However, clinically, a person has a lot of complaints. In the feces, mucus is most often manifested, fibers of undigested food are possible. Abdominal cramps, flatulence, unstable stools accompanied by dyspeptic manifestations in the form of nausea, heartburn and vomiting.

Inflammation of the intestine

Infectious nature should be treated in a specialized department. They are very invasive and large numbers of people suffer at once during outbreaks of intestinal infections.

Toxins can also become the cause of inflammatory changes in the intestines. Bacteriological cultures will be negative, but the toxins in the food eaten irritate the mucous membrane and increase mucus formation.

Dysbacteriosis

The cause of the disease is most often long-term antibiotic therapy. This leads to an imbalance between and . Dysbacteriosis is not yet an infectious disease, but with the slightest shift, there is a risk of an intestinal infection.

Taking antibiotics should be combined with the use of and. The appointment of antibacterial drugs is necessary only according to strict indications, the method of use is according to the instructions.

A problem that affects the vast majority of the population. It is associated with the predominance of a sedentary lifestyle. Because of this, the tone of the vascular walls of the venous system is disturbed - as a result, the expansion of the hemorrhoidal veins.

Timely therapy is necessary to prevent surgical intervention. The main risk is the formation of bleeding from the nodes.

In which case should you definitely consult a doctor?

In any case, if mucus appears in the stool, which is a pathological impurity, you should consult a doctor. Even if the causes are harmless (such as food or a runny nose), it is still necessary to do minimal research to rule out serious diseases that are difficult to treat.

Differential diagnosis of the causes of mucus in the feces

To determine the causes, it is necessary to undergo an in-depth examination:

If mucus is found, you need to contact a gastroenterologist who can determine diagnostic methods and carry out the necessary treatment.

Most people do not tend to closely 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 the 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 the doctor and further medical examination, which necessarily includes testing.

Normal composition, color and consistency of stool

A healthy adult excretes an average of 300 g of feces per day, and defecation usually occurs 1 time per day.

Note:Normally, the stool has an almost homogeneous consistency.

The main components of excrement are:

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

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

What are impurities?

The following impurities are most often found 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 nutrition.

Remaining food in stool

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 egg shell fragments.

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

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

Enzyme deficiencies can be caused by:

insufficient secretion of pancreatic juice (after resection of a 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.

Remains of food may appear in the stool during its accelerated evacuation against the background of increased peristalsis. In this case, some products simply do not have time to digest and assimilate. This phenomenon is particularly characteristic of irritable bowel syndrome.

If the feces have an oily sheen, this is a sign of steatorrhea, i.e., 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.);
diseases of the pancreas (inflammation, strictures, ulcers and tumors);
hemochromatosis (accumulation of iron in organs against the background of metabolic disorders);
intestinal pathologies (inflammatory, autoimmune and tumor);
endocrine diseases and pathologies of endocrine glands;
congenital (hereditary) diseases;
systemic manifestations of skin diseases;
excessive consumption of laxatives.

Mucus in stool

Note:the presence of some mucus in the stool (in the form of lumps or inclusions) is the norm for young children who are breastfed. Mother's milk is characterized by a high fat content, which the digestive enzymes of the baby's body 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 digestive tract. A small amount of colorless (almost transparent) mucus is often normal and is not a cause for concern.

If the 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 (). The admixture of a significant amount of mucus is also quite often recorded in chronic constipation.

By the degree of 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 soaks the excrement relatively evenly, then the inflammatory process is localized in the upper sections of the intestine, but if the impurities are determined on the surface (often in the form of lumps), then the lower sections are affected.

Feces with blood impurities

The presence of blood in the feces is an absolute 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 infectious genesis (, dysentery, etc.);
and ulcers of the rectum and rectal region;
intestinal angiodysplasia;
blood pathology (coagulation 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. Feces often contain only small and inconspicuous streaks, but with serious pathologies, up to 200 ml or more can be excreted during defecation. In this case, we are talking about intestinal bleeding, which requires urgent action.

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

The color of the blood in the stool allows you to determine with a high degree of probability the approximate localization of the focus of bleeding. The scarlet color and the location of the blood on top of the feces indicates that there is a pathology of the sigmoid, descending or rectum. Fresh blood is also released from anal fissures and hemorrhoids. Darker blood and blood clots relatively evenly mixed with the stool indicate that the bleeding source is in the upper large intestine (colon) or in the small intestine. Black coloration 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:a reddish tint of stool or burgundy streaks is 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 the 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 in the decay of malignant tumors, as well as intussusception against the background of intestinal obstruction.

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

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

Pus in stool

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

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

proctitis;
infectious colitis;
ulcerative colitis;
decay (in the late 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 defecation, then self-medication is categorically unacceptable. There can be no talk of a positive effect in this case.

Treatment

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

Professionals who may need advice:

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

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

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

Plisov Vladimir, medical commentator

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.

What does mucus in stool say?

Factors that can provoke active secretion of mucus are quite diverse. Among the most common are:

prolonged fasting;
a sharp change in food;
drinking raw drinking water from random sources;
colds and infectious diseases of the respiratory tract, accompanied by copious sputum;
dietary nutrition, involving the daily use of decoctions of oats, flax seeds;
uncontrolled medication;
hypothermia, which caused inflammation of the pelvic organs and the anus.

Attentive attitude to one's health contributes to the elimination or prevention of negative manifestations.

Causes of mucus in the stool and possible diseases

The appearance of impurities in the feces in an adult in most cases is associated with various diseases of the digestive system. Depending on the nature of the pathology, different types of mucous secretions appear.

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.

Other reasons

In some cases, the appearance of feces with mucus impurities in adult patients is caused by causes that are not as serious as diseases that pose a threat to health.

Such phenomena occur:

when consuming a large amount of cottage cheese, bananas, watermelons, oatmeal and rice porridge;
due to starvation diets or during the absorption of a large amount of vegetables and fruits;
due to a lack of protein in the diet.

The mucous membrane is exposed to the irritating effect of coarse fibers, which, due to malnutrition, leads to its depletion and, as a result, a violation of the digestive processes and an increase in secretions.

Mucus with blood in the feces: causes in adults

A very serious situation is the release of bloody viscous contents. This is a sign of dangerous diseases. Mucus with blood in the feces of an adult has specific features in appearance, depending on the diagnosis. Experts note:

Pathological impurities - streaks with lumps of mucus - Crohn's disease, oncology;
Blood clots in the feces indicate bleeding with hemorrhoids, rectal cancer (mucus can be found on toilet paper after defecation);
Jelly-like mass - proctitis, polyps, stomach ulcers.

It is urgent to undergo an examination and begin treatment when mucous discharge with blood first appeared during bowel movements. Symptoms, depending on the nature of secretion, signal pathologies:

The presence of an admixture of mucus with blood of a watery consistency - a respiratory, intestinal infection;
The mucous contents of scarlet color - cirrhosis of the liver, varicose veins of the intestine, ulcers or cancer of the stomach;
Abundant discharge in the feces - diverticulosis of the rectum, ischemic colitis.

Symptoms

Usually people detect mucus in the feces not by chance, but in cases where 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 experience:

severe abdominal pain, cramps;
bloating and excessive gas formation;
tightness of the abdomen, constipation or diarrhea;
in severe cases, vomiting or other phenomena of intoxication;
pain during the act of defecation;
impurities of blood or pus in the stool, possibly undigested food residues;
change in the shape and consistency of feces, its non-specific odor;
mucus or bloody substance may remain on the patient's toilet paper or underwear;
with respiratory diseases, 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 take tests to determine the cause of this phenomenon.

Diagnostics

To compile a detailed clinical picture, the doctor examines the patient, is interested in his diet, diet. After that, a number of events are planned:

Analysis of feces to identify pathogenic microorganisms in it. To select adequate treatment with antibiotics, you need to know exactly the type of pathogen.
The study of mucus in the laboratory. A clinical and biochemical study is carried out to detect the level of leukocytes, indicating a progressive inflammatory process. The presence of erythrocytes is also evaluated.
If you suspect a lesion of the stomach or duodenum, FGDS is prescribed. An ultrasound is done to examine the abdominal organs. The list can be supplemented by an X-ray examination using a contrast - a barium mixture.
Examination of the intestinal lumen through rectoscopy. This technique is indicated for suspected polyposis, neoplasms or hemorrhoids.

Treatment

The therapy process is based on what exactly served as the formation of this kind of content in the feces. Most often, doctors use drugs in the following categories:

Of great importance for the stabilization of the work of the digestive tract and the elimination of mucous formations in the intestines is the complete rejection of the use of alcoholic beverages, smoking. Nutrition should be fractional, when a person eats 5-6 times a day, but in small portions.

Prevention

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;
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.

Content

With this delicate problem, they do not rush to the doctor, but in vain. Mucus in the stool in an adult is a serious reason to examine the stomach, intestines and start treatment. Seeing a doctor will help avoid serious consequences. What diseases are characterized by the appearance of mucous secretions, how dangerous are the symptoms, what becomes a provoking factor so that a secret begins to come out along with the feces? These are important questions that require detailed answers.

What is mucus in stool

The wisely arranged human body constantly secretes mucus to protect tissues and organs. An oily, jelly-like substance of a white or transparent color is formed by secretion, which is produced by the glands of the intestine. Part of it is made up of epithelial cells, leukocytes on the surface of the mucous membrane. This secret plays an important role:

protects against the influence of toxic components of feces;
protects the intestinal lining from the mechanical impact of coarse food fibers;
prevents chronic constipation due to difficult passage of feces.

The body of an adult constantly produces and removes viscous contents - this is a normal phenomenon. Thanks to mucus, feces can easily move through the intestinal tract and exit through the anus. With inflammatory changes in the intestines, there are serious problems with the release of lubrication. As a result:

in the absence of cracks, damage to the mucosa, bleeding, development of hemorrhoids;
serious pathologies are possible with excessive secretion production;
a change in the color of the discharge indicates the presence of problems requiring treatment.

What does it look like

Normal - transparent mucus in the feces of an adult comes out in a small amount and consists of dead epithelial cells. With pathological lesions of the intestine, changes in the stomach, a protective reaction occurs to the process of irritation. A lubricant begins to be intensively produced, protecting the mucous membrane, helping to remove foreign substances, pathogenic microorganisms.

Depending on the pathology, the viscous contents may differ in color and shape:

white or transparent- problems of the distal intestines;
yellow- provoke antibiotics, hemorrhoids;
grayish flakes on the surface of the stool- evidence of damage to the rectum, descending intestine;
green- bacterial infection;
pink- processes with the release of pus;
small flakes mixed with feces- problems of the small intestine;
mixed with blood- ulcers, cracks, hemorrhagic inflammation;
black- cancerous tumors.

The reasons

There are many reasons for the appearance of mucus in the stool in an adult. Some of them are associated with lifestyle, for others diseases become a provoking factor. Typical reasons for the formation of mucous secretions:

poor quality water;
the presence of coarse dietary fiber;
prolonged fasting;
hypothermia of the pelvic organs;
taking medications;
bathing in a pond with cold water;
alcohol abuse;
frequent dieting;
stressful situations;
consumption of unwashed vegetables, fruits
smoking;
unbalanced diet.

Feces with mucus in an adult is a signal of the presence of pathological changes. Discharge causes diseases:

irritable bowel syndrome, accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting, constipation;
dysbacteriosis - imbalance of microflora;
tumors in the stomach, intestines;
Crohn's disease;
allergy to substances that enter the stomach;
infectious intestinal lesions - typhoid fever, enteritis.

It is not uncommon for a jelly-like secret in the feces of an adult to appear as a result of:

helminthic invasions;
viral infections;
respiratory diseases;
hemorrhoids with cracks and ulcers;
stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers;
polyps;
pancreatitis;
inflammation of the colon;
spastic colitis;
intestinal diverticulosis;
proctitis;
cystic fibrosis.

White mucus in stool

What contributes to the appearance of jelly-like white discharge in an adult? These symptoms in the feces indicate the presence of diseases of the stomach, pathologies of the intestinal tract. The reasons for the appearance of symptoms are:

inflammation of the rectum, as well as the sigmoid and descending;
protective reaction to irritation by pathogenic organisms;
fungal infection of the anus;
malnutrition;
lack of beneficial microorganisms - dysbacteriosis.

Mucus in the stool in an adult white color is formed as a result of:

bacterial lesions of anal fissures;
inflammatory diseases of the large intestine;
irritation of the intestinal walls during allergic reactions, lactose intolerance, atopic dermatitis;
damage to the intestinal mucosa;
the use of antibacterial drugs;
inflammation of the rectal mucosa;
violations of normal microflora;
diseases of the pancreas, liver, gallbladder.

Mucus instead of feces in an adult

When a viscous secret resembling snot or mucus comes out of a patient's anus instead of feces, this means that the person is unable to retain the contents of the rectum. In this condition, there is pain in the lower abdomen, fever. Provoke the appearance of such symptoms:

prolonged constipation;
intestinal obstruction;
helminthic invasions;
volvulus;
bacterial infections;
rectal ulcer;
neoplasms;
polyps;
foreign object in the intestine.

With blood

pathological impurities - streaks with lumps of mucus - Crohn's disease, oncology;
inclusions of blood clots in the feces indicates bleeding with hemorrhoids, rectal cancer (mucus can be found on toilet paper after defecation);
jelly-like mass - proctitis, polyps, stomach ulcers.

It is urgent to undergo an examination and begin treatment when mucous discharge with blood first appeared during bowel movements. Symptoms, depending on the nature of secretion, signal pathologies:

the presence of an admixture of mucus with blood of a watery consistency - a respiratory, intestinal infection;
scarlet mucous contents - cirrhosis of the liver, varicose veins of the intestine, ulcers or cancer of the stomach;
copious discharge in the feces - diverticulosis of the rectum, ischemic colitis.

yellow slime

When a stool with mucus appears in an adult, the yellow color of the discharge may indicate the presence of polyps, symptoms of hemorrhoids. A viscous secret protects the mucous membranes from damage. The appearance of feces with yellow mucus signals such problems:

bacterial inflammation of the intestine;
malabsorption of products;
taking antibiotics that affect the healthy intestinal microflora;
hypothermia of the pelvic region;
intestinal infections;
cancerous tumors.

Clear slime

There are many reasons for the appearance of jelly-like secretions in the stool in an adult. Mucus that looks like a transparent dense film is evidence of membranous colitis. Viscous contents may envelop the stool or be in the form of mucous impurities. Provoke the phenomenon:

smoking;
taking antibiotics;
drinking coffee;
remedies for flatulence, gases;
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
haemorrhoids;
infectious diseases of the intestine;
spastic constipation;
colds with runny nose.

pink slime

The formation of pink mucous secretions in the stool of an adult indicates the appearance of serious problems. The situation requires accurate diagnosis and immediate treatment. Pink mucus during bowel movements may indicate the presence of:

cirrhosis of the liver;
stomach ulcers;
allergic colitis;
varicose veins in the intestines;
nonspecific ulcerative colitis.
colon polyp;
enterocolitis;
intestinal diverticulum;
capillary bleeding in the upper colon.

black slime

Fecal masses and mucous secretion can turn black after taking medications and vitamins. You need to know that the appearance of such jelly-like secretions in an adult can be a dangerous symptom. An urgent visit to the doctor and tests will clarify the situation. A change in the color of mucus in the feces is associated with a strong darkening of the blood accompanying the pathology:

bleeding in the small intestine, esophagus, stomach;
growth of a malignant neoplasm.

brown slime

The appearance of brown mucus in the feces of an adult may indicate an insufficient function of the pancreas, hypotonicity of the colon. Liquid secretions accompany intestinal dysbacteriosis. These conditions require the intervention of a gastroenterologist. Doctors note that brown discharge does not always indicate dangerous syndromes. You don’t have to worry if the reason is the ingress of mucous secretion from the nose into the esophagus and intestines. This happens with diseases accompanied by a runny nose:

rhinitis;
allergy;
acute respiratory disease;
polyps;
flu.

Diagnostic procedures

When such a delicate problem appears, it is better for an adult to first consult a therapist. The doctor will conduct a survey, find out the nature of the mucus, the consistency of the stool, the features of the lifestyle, nutrition. Important issues are the intake of hormonal drugs, antibiotics, the duration of the disease, the symptoms. Based on the results of the examination, a referral to a specialist consultation will be given:

gastroenterologist;
infectious disease specialist;
proctologist;
surgeon
oncologist.

Mucus in the feces is not always a symptom indicating the presence of a pathological process in the body. A small amount of it in the feces is always observed.

This is a consequence of the presence in the body of dead epithelial cells, resembling light or transparent jelly-like secretions that are excreted from the intestines during defecation.

The presence of mucus contributes to the normal functioning of the intestines, its lack causes a violation of its patency and is accompanied by constipation.

Due to a long delay in stool, toxic substances that are the waste products of pathogenic microorganisms are not excreted from the gastrointestinal tract and enter the bloodstream. In addition, the delicate intestinal mucosa is exposed to the destructive effects of toxic components.

The appearance of a large number of such secretions in the feces indicates serious problems associated with disruption of the gastrointestinal tract.

Reasons for exceeding the allowable amount of mucus

Factors that can provoke active secretion of mucus are quite diverse.

Among the most common are:

prolonged fasting;
a sharp change in food;
drinking raw drinking water from random sources;
colds and infectious diseases of the respiratory tract, accompanied by copious sputum;
dietary nutrition, involving the daily use of decoctions of oats, flax seeds;
uncontrolled medication;
irritable bowel syndrome, which causes digestive problems, accompanied by constipation, diarrhea, bloating, increased gas formation;
hypothermia, which caused inflammation of the pelvic organs and the anus.

Attentive attitude to one's health contributes to the elimination or prevention of negative manifestations.

Diseases that provoke the secretion of mucus

Among the most common diseases, it should be noted:

Intestinal infections of a bacterial or viral nature. These are dysentery, colitis, enteritis, typhoid fever. These pathologies are a fundamental factor conducive to an exceptionally active process of mucus secretion in the feces. This is due to increased secretion of the glands and the excretion of dead pathogenic bacteria, viruses and leukocytes from the body during the act of defecation. In addition to mucous discharge, symptoms such as intense pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, high fever and weakness are observed.
The absence of normal intestinal microflora - dysbacteriosis causes digestive disorders, as a result of which jelly-like clots and undigested food fragments appear in the feces. The trigger mechanism for dysbacteriosis is such factors as alcohol abuse, smoking, stress, unhealthy diet, as well as antibiotics and hormonal drugs taken without a doctor's prescription. The most prominent symptoms, apart from copious mucus, are frequent migraines, susceptibility to respiratory problems, and the likelihood of skin rashes.
Worm invasion. Mucus in the presence of worms in the intestines may still contain blood impurities. The patient has no appetite, often there are pains in the stomach, digestion is upset, anemia develops.
Pathology of the respiratory organs. Clots of mucus in the feces during bowel movements are observed during respiratory diseases. Their shade varies from white and yellowish to brown. The mucus produced in excess during the period of illness enters the stomach, so its streaks are a frequent occurrence in viral infections, influenza, and SARS. It should be noted that there are no signs of dyspepsia in this case, and the appearance of mucus stops on its own as it recovers.
Polyps and hemorrhoids. Such formations on the intestinal walls provoke the occurrence of prolonged constipation, accompanied by intense pain in the anus during the passage of feces. Inflammation, characteristic of this disease, leads to the formation of mucus, which is excreted along with feces.
Oncology. Tumor processes localized in the stomach or intestines lead to the death of epithelial cells. This is accompanied by the secretion of thick mucus. An expressive sign of a serious illness is a sharp weight loss and chronic fatigue.

It is difficult to independently determine the cause of the appearance of such secretions. Moreover, it is not recommended to engage in self-diagnosis and try to eliminate the symptoms on your own, sometimes indicating the likelihood of a life-threatening disease.

Other reasons

In some cases, the appearance of feces with mucus impurities in adult patients is caused by causes that are not as serious as diseases that pose a threat to health.

Such phenomena occur:

when consuming a large amount of cottage cheese, bananas, watermelons, oatmeal and rice porridge;
due to starvation diets or during the absorption of a large amount of vegetables and fruits;
due to a lack of protein in the diet.

Causes of mucus in pregnant women

An important factor that can lead to excessive mucus production is pregnancy.. The opinion of experts boils down to the fact that this is not a cause for concern if there are impurities of clear mucus in the stool after a bowel movement.

Such manifestations do not pose a danger to the health of the expectant mother and fetus. They indicate the presence of food incompatibility or dysfunction of the digestive glands.

Varieties of secretions

A small amount of mucus does not cause alarm, as this is a normal protective function of the body, helping to protect the walls of the esophagus from various damages.

However, the nature of the secretions, a significant increase in their number and a difference in color are characteristic symptoms of special conditions and various diseases:

White mucus, yellow, green or brown impurities in the stool appear in adults due to food allergies or lactose intolerance. Such secretions appear with dysbacteriosis, accompanied by poor digestion of food. This indicates a lack of a liquid medium that facilitates the movement of feces.
A large amount of clear mucus is evidence of cystic fibrosis, which develops against the background of increased mucus production by the glands. This condition indicates an inflammatory process in the airways or in the intestines. Food allergies are also accompanied by discharge of clear clots.
Painful bowel movements with orange mucus without fever suggest ulcerative colitis.
With a well-formed stool, mucus with scarlet or pink blood is found - this is a sign of hemorrhoids.
Signs of dyspepsia (foamy loose stools, vomiting, fever) with clear mucus indicate infection with E. coli.
Blood-streaked mucus indicates the possibility of ulcerative colitis or dysentery.
Foul-smelling stools with yellow mucus are a dangerous symptom of an erupted abscess or decomposition of a cancerous growth.
Mucus and pus in the stool is an alarming indicator. It indicates the presence of severe inflammation, proctitis, granulomatous colitis, rectal cancer or villous tumor.

The list of states is quite diverse.

In addition to the cases described, you should also pay attention to the fact that:

Frequent urge to empty the bowels against the background of stress, accompanied by pain in the abdomen and the release of clear or yellow mucus, is irritable bowel syndrome.
The appearance of a large amount of mucus in the feces indicates the body's reaction to the presence of toxins that contribute to the development of allergies.
Autoimmune diseases also contribute to the production of excess mucus.
Clear mucus is observed after treatment with antibiotics or hormonal agents.
White or pink mucus is often seen with constipation.

Feces with mucus should be recognized as a serious diagnostic indicator, with which it is necessary to consult a doctor.

Diagnostics

It is possible to differentiate diseases accompanied by the presence of mucous secretions in the feces using the following diagnostic measures:

coprograms of feces;
bacterial culture to determine the causative agent of infection;
macro and microscopy of feces;
colonoscopy;
radiography;

A general clinical and detailed biochemical blood test is mandatory.

Treatment

The severity of the symptoms suggests an immediate consultation with an experienced specialist.

Which doctor to contact

The first visit is to the family doctor or general practitioner.

He will refer to specialists of a narrow profile:

gastroenterologist;
proctologist;
infectious disease specialist;
endocrinologist.

Medical therapy

The use of drugs is prescribed taking into account the diseases that caused the discharge:

Interferon and Arbidol are recommended for intestinal inflammation or diseases of viral origin.
Ercefuril and Furazolidone have proven themselves in the treatment of intestinal infections.
Viferon and Regidron are indispensable drugs in the treatment of intestines caused by a viral pathogen.
Tinidazole and Piperazine are used for helminthic invasion.
Antifungal suppositories and Amphotericin are prescribed for fungal intestinal disease.
Linex, No-shpa and Furazolidone are effective drugs that are used to treat colitis, dysbacteriosis and inflammation of the rectum.
The use of chemical and radiation therapy is indicated in the treatment of cancer.

If mucus is the result of alcohol, smoking or food abuse, you will have to stop using them. This means the need to rethink lifestyle and responsible attitude to health.

Power adjustment

An effective measure to eliminate negative manifestations is the observance of a sparing diet.

She suggests:

exclusion from the menu of spicy, fried and fatty foods;
refusal of marinades, pickles, sausages;
alcoholic beverages, black coffee, spices that provoke the activation of the production of gastric juice are prohibited.

The prognosis for the treatment of diseases accompanied by the appearance of mucus in the feces is favorable in most cases.

Lack of timely treatment can lead to complications such as peptic ulcer, internal bleeding, oncological processes.

It is possible to prevent their development, subject to the recommendations of qualified specialists. Self-medication leads to a protracted course of the disease and is fraught with consequences that are dangerous to health and life.