What is mucous? – Mucous is a slimy, slippery, gel-like substance which is produced by the lining of some hollow organs (such as intestine, trachea etc) in the body as part of their protective mechanism. 

What is the function of mucous in the digestive system?

Mucous helps to lubricate and protect the lining of the digestive tract. Some of the mucous is sometimes passed out with stool. This is normal as it allows easy passage of stool from the tract and prevent stool from sticking to the gut. When the quantity of mucous passed with stool increases, or is mixed with blood, it may be a sign of a problem in the digestive tract.

What are the causes of increased passage of mucous in stool?

Some of the causes of increased passage of mucous in stool include:

1. Bowel irritation – Minor irritation of the intestine may result in increased passage of mucous in stool. Such irritation may be caused by some food items, medications, constipation, lactose intolerance etc.
2. Infection – Infection of the digestive tract by bacteria, viruses or intestinal parasites is a known cause of mucous in stool.
3. Food poisoning – Bacterial contamination of food may result in passage of mucous in stool.
4. Dehydration – When the body water content is low, much water is removed from stool in order to conserve water in the body. In order to allow the movement of hard stool in the gut, the gut produces more mucous to lubricate the passage.
5. Constipation – When the fiber content of food is too little, the transit time in the gut is long and much water gets absorbed from it. In order to allow the passage of hard stool, the gut produces large quantity of mucous to serve as lubricant.
6. Inflammatory bowel disease – Continuous inflammation of the gut leads to increased mucous secretion and passage of watery stool (diarrhoea).
7. Haemorrhoids – Engorged blood vessels in haemorrhoids can cause irritation of the rectum and increased mucous production. This often combines with blood when passing stool.
8. Polyps – Attempts by the gut to forcefully expel a growth on its surface (polyps) results in excessive mucous secretion.
9. Colon cancer – Mucous in stool is sometimes one of the early symptoms of cancer of the colon. Anyone with family history should bear this in mind; indicating the need for early investigation.

What are the treatment options for passage of mucous in stool?

Treatment depends on the cause.

1. Conservative treatment – Those resulting from minor irritation may resolve spontaneously once the source of the irritation is removed.

1. 1. Dehydration – Increase water intake
   2. Constipation – Dietary modification: Increase in fiber content of food will shorten the transit time of stool in the gut.
2. Drug treatment – Antibiotics for infection, worm medication for intestinal parasites and immunosuppressant drugs for inflammatory bowel disease will help reduce mucous production due to these conditions.
3. Surgery – Conditions like haemorrhoids, polyps or colorectal cancer resulting in increased mucous secretion require surgical procedure for treatment

Can mucous in stool be prevented?

Some causes of excessive mucous in stool, such as dehydration, constipation, allergies as well as food contamination resulting in food poisoning can be prevented through:

1. Adequate water intake to avoid dehydration
2. Dietary modification by increasing fiber content of food to avoid constipation
3. Food hygiene to avoid food contamination leading to food poisoning 
4. Avoidance of food that stimulate allergic reaction
5. Those with lactose intolerance should avoid lactose-containing food