What Are Common Causes of Bloody Mucus in the Stool?
Bloody mucus in the stool is commonly associated with inflammatory intestinal conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. If a patient is already in treatment for a bowel condition, bloody mucus in the stool should be noted and reported, but it is not usually a cause for immediate concern. Patients who have no history of intestinal problems and notice this symptom should contact a doctor for evaluation and treatment as soon as possible. Some mucus is usually present in the stool, albeit in trace amounts. Mucus is produced by the lining of the bowel as a lubricant to keep the bowels healthy and flexible, and sometimes the levels fluctuate in response to diet and other factors, like stress. Bloody mucus in the stool, however, is a cause for concern, as it indicates that there is a problem somewhere along the length of the intestines. The stool may also have a softened appearance and patients can experience bowel urgency and other symptoms as well.
