What causes bloody mucus in stool?

Posted on Wed, 20 Aug 2014

Question: 44 yr old male ,over weight & never any medical problems but mild allergies. All of sudden experiencing bloody mucus in my stool . No pain feel very healthy Is bowel cancer the only diagnosis?

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

It does not have to be a colon cancer. Mucus in the stool can be caused by constipation. Please note that mucus is produces all the time by intestinal cells to help with stool passage. When there is no stool passing bowels, only mucus comes out.
Mucus can be also a symptom of some bacterial infection. Especially if mixed with blood. However diarrhea or loose stool should be also present.
Some inflammatory bowels diseases can give bloody mucus as well.
I suggest you to do not panic. Please consult your doctor. Stool tests should be done at first. Colonoscopy should be considered.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.

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

Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (51 minutes later)

the stool seems to be regular , no diarrhea or pain at all . & the mucus does occur but the blood is sometimes quite heavy . & thank you for response

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
.

Detailed Answer:
If there is no change in stools pattern than colonoscopy is necessary. It can be a polyp giving such symptoms. However cancer needs to be ruled out.

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