The significance of mucus in stools depends on many factors including your current state of health, your age, your dietary habit, associated symptoms, any recent upset in your digestive tract as well as family history of bowel related problems.
Conditions such as recent infection of the digestive tract and food intolerance or indiscretion are common causes of mucoid stools. People who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome may also pass mucus from time to time. The above conditions, although disturbing and, do not give rise to serious medical consequence in general.
On the other hand, mucoid stools associated with blood stains, abdominal pain, fever, weight loss or family history of bowel problem may signify more serious conditions which require further investigations. This is especially so when there is a bowel habit change in anyone above 50yrs of age.
If your condition does not resolve in a few weeks, get a proper consult and run some simple tests at the clinic to see if there is evidence of inflammation in your digestive tract. At times, tissue sampling from your intestine may be required to reveal the true nature of the underlying cause.
- Dr Quan
