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What Causes White Mucus In The Stool ?

Posted on Mon, 14 Apr 2014

Question: what may cause white mucus in the stool ? I have had a change in bowel habits in the past month : 2 episodes of loose (not diarrhea )stools for 2days each episode (7-8 x /day ) and constipation in between the episodes. I have always tended toward constipation but this past mo. my bowel habits have been different. I stopped taking all my supplements & vitamins ---& watch what I eat. I thought maybe too much vit. C in the vits . The only prescription med is Triam/hctz. Thank you for considering my problem. I appreciate it ---& hope you can give me an answer------a positive one !

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: Kindly provide the following data.... Detailed Answer: Hi, I have gone through your medical history and understood your concerns. Before running into final conclusions, I'd like to know: - have you noticed white mucus before in your stool? - if yes, then, is the quantity of mucus increasing or just the same? - apart mucus, have you noticed blood or other changes in your stool appearance? - is the bowel movement normal for the moment, or you still have alternating episodes of loose stools with constipation? - did you have any analysis of stool or other tests run? If yes, can you please provide the reports. Until the requested details are in, I can say that usually, stool does contain a small amount of mucus which is not worrisome. If the amount of mucus is tending to increase and you keeps having changes in bowel movements, then, I'd suggest to get further evaluated your health status by your doctor. Further tests are also necessary to run: - culture of stool for pathogenic bacteria/candida overgrowth - examination of stool for ova/parasites - abdominal ultrasound - colonoscopy Depending on the tests results, specific treatment will be prescribed. Looking forward to kindly receive the requested data in! Dr.Albana

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (25 hours later)

yesterday & today bowel movements appear normal. I have never noticed any blood in stool--- and stools are never black or very dark. I have not had any tests run or any stool analysis yet. I was hoping the change in bowel habits would resolve by stopping the vits & supplements and limiting artificial sweeteners & any oils. I seldom eat sweets except for a bowl of "fat free " frozen yogurt every nite. I have been eating plain yogurt w/ live cultures every day. I guess I am trying hard to convince myself that the bowel changes are only dietary. I only very infrequently have noticed mucus . But on sat. it was a noticeable amount. I did not want to see my Dr. because I was afraid she would want to start out w/ a colonoscopy . So I was trying to resolve this on my own . I thought I would try for 1 month. But when I saw the white mucus on Sat. I got more concerned . But hoped it was nothing . I also began taking probiotics about 10 days ago. How do you feel about them ?

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (14 hours later)

Brief Answer: Should do stool analysis... Detailed Answer: Hi back, Thank you for following up. It is good that you have changed your diet and started probiotics. They will help bring the balance of intestinal flora back to normality. However, I still insist to do stool analysis to exclude infections and fecal occult blood as routine analysis for your age. You might need specific treatment other than probiotics and diet changes alone. You do not have clinical indications for colonoscopy, however, if stool analysis will show something unusual, then, should go for it. For the time being, I do not think you should go for it, but to have only the stool analysis done. Hope it helped! Let me know if you have further queries! Dr.Albana

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (8 hours later)

Thank you for your response. ( I especially liked that you did not feel the colonoscopy was essential to start with ) I will f/u with your suggestions . Thank you . XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (9 hours later)

Brief Answer: Glad to know I was of help... Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX Glad to know I was been of help. Looking forward to have the reports in. All the best! Dr.Albana

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar