Mucus in Your Stool: What it Means (& What to Do About It)

AYURVEDA PERSPECTIVE ON MUCUS ON STOOL

Is Your Digestion Bogged Down with Mucus?

Individuals have an innate curiosity about what happens in the murky depths of the bowels. When they see something strange happening down there, they wonder what it means, and what to do about it. Ayurveda confirms this instinct is a healthy one.

The health of the colon often determines the health of your whole body. As Ayurvedic practitioners, we find many diseases have their origin in the colon, because an unhealthy colon leads to toxic buildup in the rest of the body. In addition, unhealthy stools usually indicate deeper digestive disorders which are best addressed in early stages.

Abnormal stools can be a sign of anything from parasites to candida, and often indicate the presence of inflammation. Even worse, chronic abnormalities are often progressive. Over time, an unhealthy bowel can progress to colon cancer. In the United States alone, over 135,000 new cases of colon cancer are reported each year. So, it's best to pay attention to bowel changes early.

One of the most common signs of digestive distress is mucus on stools. Whether you've had mucus in the stool, mucus in diarrhea, pooping mucus only, or maybe you've had a poop covered in mucus, excess mucus is always a sign of problems in the gut. It can also create problems in your gut because mucus creates the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive.

Mucus may accompanied by itchiness or inflammation. Excess mucus is not only a sign of a problem in your gut, it can also create problems in your gut because it harbors bacteria.

Many do not even notice the mucus. Others find it both confusing and alarming to see mucus on their stool. Whether you notice it or not, mucus is an important sign. Get to the bottom of this puzzling mystery by learning what mucus on stool can indicate, the signs and symptoms of excess mucus, and what you can do to support your body's healing. The information in this article was provided by teachers and staff of the Mastering Ayurvedic Digestion & Nutrition Certification Course.

Mucus in the Digestive Tract

Mucus serves several main functions in the body - lubrication, soothing, and protection. Mucus is naturally secreted by the digestive tract lining to lubricate it for the easy passage of stools. Its slipperiness helps move things along. Mucus soothes and coats irritated tissues. Finally, mucus protects the GI from irritating, rough substances. It safeguards your intestines from adhesion and invasion by microorganisms, bacterial toxins, and allergens.

Mucus is secreted throughout the GI tract, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine (mostly in the jejunum) and in the colon. Mucus in the esophagus ensures that food is easily swallowed and makes its way down into the stomach. Mucus in the stomach protects the body from the hot intensity of stomach acid. Mucus, along with enzymes and bile, alkalizes the acidity of food in the small intestine. Once food reaches the colon, mucus protects your bowels from irritation by rough insoluble fibers found in certain foods. There, it also enables the smooth discharge of feces.

Mucus is therefore essential to the digestive process. Small amounts of mucus in the stool is normal - especially for Kapha predominant people. Overproduction, however, is often the result of an infection or chronic inflammation of GI tract.

Mucus is made from polysaccharides. In other words, you can think of mucus as a complex carbohydrate or sugar. Therefore, sugar and Kapha aggravating foods generally increase the amount of mucus. Some people have too little mucus in the GI tract, and they will want to increase mucus with sweet and demulcent foods.

In a healthy colon, the mucosal layer is intact. There are no bacteria in the mucosal layer. When inflammation is present, the mucus barrier is broken and the mucus is penetrated by bacteria and inflammatory cells. Mucus viscosity increases progressively toward the end of the colon. In the beginning of the colon, the relatively thinner mucus separates bacteria selectively. Towards the end of the colon, bacteria are completely separated by the more viscous mucus.^#1

Signs & Symptoms

Mucus on stools gives the stool a shiny or slimy appearance, or sticky consistency. Oily stools may also have this appearance, but mucus has a more gelatinous look. Mucus on your stool may be stringy, clumpy, or can stick together. It may come out with or without stool. If it comes without stool, it may be difficult to eliminate. You may simply see the mucus on the toilet paper.

Blood might be mixed with mucus because of inflammation or an acute infection. If you are experiencing blood in your stool see your doctor or licensed health care professional as this can be life threatening.

Mucus on stool may take many forms. Here are some examples:

Fluffy Stool with Gelatinous & Stringy Patches of Mucus Attached

In this example, a stool has a slimy, gelatinous surface at points along with fluffy, dry edges and undigested food. Given that the stool is very loose, lumpy and yellowish in appearance, it indicates a fast transit time through the digestive tract. Due to the bulk of the stool, bits of undigested food, and dull color of the stool, this person likely has weak digestion (low agni) and may be losing weight. Their stool probably has a foul odor and their intestines may be irritated. The mucus was likely present in the small intestine or before the stool was formed since it appears mixed into the stool. The stringy nature of the mucus can be indicative of candida, but many other microbes also form stringy colonies.

Mucus Coating Stool

In our second example mucus has formed a clear coating on the stool. It does not appear mixed into the stool. This mucus doesn't appear to be parasite related because it is clear. If microbes were present in the mucus, the mucus would be opaque, yellow or green, just like infected respiratory mucus. The stool appears hard, small and compact indicating constipation. The likely cause of this mucus is irritation in the sigmoid colon which could be the result of constipation. The irritation has incited the secretion of copious amounts of mucus which then coats the stool.

Baby's Stool

Babies and children tend to have more mucus in their stool than adults, because they are in Kapha time of life. A baby's first stool, formed in-utero, is called meconium. It often has a lot of mucus. Once babies start drinking their mother's sweet, fatty rich milk or formula only, their stools tend to be oily, slimy, soft and mustard like. If a nursing infant has an overproduction of mucus, as in the photo above, the mother might steer clear of Kapha aggravating foods like sugar, dairy and wheat or increase the bitter taste in her diet with more leafy greens and herbs like turmeric. If formula feeding, the formula may need to be adjusted. Lastly, if a child is eating table food, reducing Kapha aggravating foods may be helpful.

Mucus Due to Infection

Signs of mucus may be more obvious such as when you eliminate a glob of it. Note whether the mucus is clear, opaque, yellow, or green as mentioned above. This may indicates whether parasites or infectious microbes are present in the rectum and / or sigmoid colon.

Main Causes of Mucus on Stool

Non-microbe related inflammation in intestines due to Pitta

Irritating food, a food allergy, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel disease or an autoimmune disorder can all lead to mucus on stool. Your body secretes the mucus as a soothing balm to heal inflamed tissues and protect them. Note you may have pain accompanying the inflammation if you have this type.

The approach to dealing with this condition is to first remove the cause. Remove any irritating foods from your diet including chili peppers, raw garlic, coffee, and alcohol. Try removing any allergens from the diet as well. Common allergens include gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, nightshades and shellfish. Keeping a food journal can help you determine what foods you are allergic to.

Next you'll want to calm inflammation with a Pitta pacifying diet favoring astringent, bitter and sweet tastes. Herbs traditionally used to cool and soothe inflammation include amalaki, guduchi and shatavari.

Parasites, Candida & Toxic Mucus

Parasites, harmful bacteria, or overgrowth of good bacteria and candida may irritate the gut lining leading to mucus production. These organisms provoke mucus in several ways. Some microbes attack the lining of the gut directly. Others simply secrete irritating waste products (collectively called ama). Other microbes create their own mucus to protect themselves from attacks by your immune system.

Bacterial infections such as H. pylori, salmonella, E. coli, campylobacter jejuni and shigella sonnei can cause mucus on stool as can viruses such as adenoviruses, astroviruses, caliciviruses, noroviruses and rotaviruses. Common signs and symptoms of parasites include indigestion despite a healthy diet, passing a worm in your stool, intense food cravings, weight loss and anal itching. A test is needed to determine which kind you have and the appropriate line of treatment.

Undigested Toxins / Ama

Excess mucus in stools may be caused by toxins (ama). Overgrowth of good bacteria causes fermentation of the food, and massive accumulation of bacterial waste products (toxins). The effect of fermentation is similar to pickling a cucumber: the food turns sour and acidic. The acidity that results from fermentation is acidic and irritating the gut, provoking mucus. Excessive gas and bloating is a sure sign of fermentation.

Fermentation in the digestive tract can happen due to different causes depending on body type. Vata type fermentation occurs as the result of constipation, dryness in the digestive tract and enzyme deficiency. Pitta type fermentation is due to parasite infection or inflammation causing enzyme deficiency (Pitta aggravating Vata). Kapha type fermentation is due to sluggish digestion.

To resolve these disorders, address root cause of the ama. Eating foods that are optimal for your body type as well as avoid poor eating habits. Improve digestion (dipan) and burn ama (pachan) with these herbs according to your body type / dosha. Haritaki and hingvastak churna are traditionally used for Vata. Bhumyamalaki and avipattikar churna are traditionally used for Pitta. Triphala and trikatu are traditionally used for Kapha. Tranquil Tummy tea is a formula by Joyful Belly specifically designed to reduce fermentation in the gut.

Excess Mucus Production Due to Kapha Aggravating Foods

Kapha people tend to have more mucus in their stool. Mucus doesn't always indicate a pathology for them. Part of Kapha's role in the body is to create mucus to moisten and protect sensitive tissue. Kledaka Kapha is the subtype of Kapha responsible for producing mucus in the stomach. It is essential to protect the stomach lining from hot and sharp stomach acid. Avalambaka Kapha is the subtype of Kapha in the circulatory system and lungs. It makes mucus that protects the lungs from irritation by dust particles in the air.

A Kapha aggravating diet or lifestyle can cause excessive mucus buildup in the respiratory and GI tract. When mucus on stool is coupled with a thick white tongue coating, aggravated Kapha dosha is probably the cause of your bowel mucus.

Approach this type of mucus on stool with a Kapha pacifying diet favoring aromatic, pungent, bitter and astringent tastes. Cardamom is the best aromatic herb for destroying intestinal mucus due to Kapha. Pungent spices, like cayenne, are great for drying up mucus, but be careful because it can irritate the gut as well. Digestive Bitters is a simple and excellent way to purge Kapha mucus from the bowels.

Constipation / Stagnation in the Bowels

Constipation can provoke mucus because, ultimately, the stuck stools become more and more irritating to the gut lining as they ferment. As always, you'll want to address the underlying cause, typically dryness or colic for Vata, and poor bowel tone for Kapha. Haritaki, licorice and gentle laxative tea are recommended for Vata while triphala and motil-colon stimulant laxative are recommended for Kapha.

Other associated pathologies

Mucus mixed with blood is a frequent complication of Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. Irritable bowel syndrome can result in mucus on stool especially when diarrhea is predominant. Diverticulosis and diverticulitis may lead to mucus on stool, but can also be asymptomatic. Bowel tumors, colon cancer, other obstructions such as impactions, gallstones and twisted colons are also associated with mucus on stool.

The possibilities may seem endless for the cause of your mucus on stool! Remember that in addition to addressing the causes of the mucus buildup above, consider taking a laxative to flush toxins and mucus out of your body. Address any inflammation, if present, as well. Good herbs for bowel irritation include cooling anti-inflammatories like amalaki for Vata, bhringaraj for Pitta, and aloe vera gel for Kapha

These insights will support you in discerning the root cause of your stools mucus as well as addressing it holistically to set you on the path toward healthy bowel movements.

References

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19300126

Images of Mucus on stool

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