Mucus Slime Bowel Movements

Mucus slime bowel movements in IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome are common. A lot of sufferers worry about mucus in stool, although it rarely indicates anything serious.

This form of bowel movement is a normal function of the bowel, produced as a natural lubricant to allow passage of your stools.

It is most commonly seen in constipation, but can occur in diarrhoeal conditions as well as in a normal bowel.

What Is Bowel Mucus?

So, what is it? It's a protein containing, clear jelly-like substance produced by the large colon lining as a lubricant.

A mucus bowel movement can be copious in conditions of the colon other than Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

These include disorders such as infections, polyps (particularly with villous adenomas), as part of colon cancer, diverticular disease and the inflammatory bowel diseases.

However, other symptoms in these conditions such as hemorrhoidal symptoms, diarrhea, rectal bleeding and weight loss may be seen.

Investigation of Your Bowel Movement

If you are concerned about these bowel movements you can get it checked out by your doctor. Its important and will help to allay any fears you may have.

When you go to your doctor they will take a history of your complaint and exam your abdomen looking for any clinical signs.

If your doctor feels it necessary they may wish to refer you for further investigations of your mucus movements if there are any concerns about one of the above conditions.

Investigations are usually in the form of endoscopic assessments which may include such tests as Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, a Colonoscopy or x-ray investigations such as Barium Enema or CT.

You can learn more about these investigations by going to the link below for more details.

Treatment of Bowel Mucus

There is no specific treatment for mucus in stool - the main treatment is addressing the underlying cause for your symptoms.

In constipation, treating the condition may reduce the amount of mucus produced.

If due to inflammatory colitis, again treating the condition will make a difference. If a polyp in the colon is the cause, removing the polyp will settle your symptoms.

Conditions On This Site That Cause Mucus: