Mucus can appear in your stool if you have Crohn’s disease. Inflammation and damage to the lining of the intestines can stimulate excessive mucus production.
Crohn’s disease is a long-term (chronic) inflammatory condition affecting any part of the digestive tract. When it involves the intestines, it can damage and inflame your gut lining, producing excess mucus.
Mucus in the stool is one of the common signs of Crohn’s disease.
However, other conditions like irritable bowel syndrome can also cause mucus in the stool. You might also notice mucus in your poop after eating certain foods or taking specific medications.
Below, we explain how Crohn’s disease affects poop, the causes of mucus in stool, and treatment options for Crohn’s disease and other diseases affecting digestion.
How does Crohn’s disease affect poop?
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The inflammation due to Crohn’s disease can affect your poop’s appearance, frequency, and consistency. These changes can affect your bowel movements in several ways:
Diarrhea: One of the most common symptoms of Crohn’s disease is frequent watery diarrhea. Crohn’s-related inflammation can disrupt the usual absorption of water and nutrients, leading to loose, frequent bowel movements.
Blood in stool: Inflammation in the intestinal lining can cause ulcers and bleeding that can turn up as blood in your poop.
Mucus in stool: Crohn’s disease can produce excess mucus in the intestines. This mucus can mix with stool and show up in your poop. Mucus in poop may look slimy or jelly-like.
Changes in stool color: Inflammation and digestion issues can influence stool color. Your poop may look pale or clay-colored because of a reduction in bile. Stools can also appear greenish if they move through the intestines too quickly.
Stool odor: Some people with Crohn’s disease report having foul-smelling stools. Smelly stools might occur due to poor absorption of nutrients and changes to your gut microbiome.
Constipation: While diarrhea is more common with Crohn’s disease, you may also experience constipation.
While Crohn’s disease can cause jelly-like mucus in your stool, mucus can also be a symptom of other gastrointestinal problems, including infections.
Consider talking with a healthcare professional if you regularly notice mucus in your stool. They can evaluate your symptoms and offer treatment options to help.
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Is it common to find mucus in poop if you have Crohn’s disease?
Yes, it’s common to find mucus in poop if you have Crohn’s disease.
Crohn’s disease can cause inflammation in the digestive tract, leading to changes in stool consistency and appearance, including the presence of mucus.
What does the mucus look like, and what does it mean?
Mucus in the stool can vary in appearance but often looks jelly-like or slimy. The mucus color can range from clear or white to yellow or green.
Stool consistency in Crohn’s disease can vary, too. That means you might experience diarrhea, constipation, or a mix of both. In some cases, Crohn’s disease can also cause blood in the stool.
What are some common medications for Crohn’s disease and related conditions?
The following medications may help with Crohn’s disease symptoms:
Aminosalicylates: These medications help reduce colon inflammation in mild to moderate cases of Crohn’s disease. Examples include mesalamine (Asacol), sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), and olsalazine (Dipentum).
Immunomodulators: These medications suppress the immune system, reduce inflammation, and prevent future flare-ups. Examples include tacrolimus (Prograf), cyclosporine (Neoral), and azathioprine (Imuran).
Corticosteroids: Doctors often prescribe these anti-inflammatory medications for short-term use during flare-ups. Examples include methylprednisolone (Medrol) and prednisone (Deltasone).
Biologics: These medications target specific proteins in the immune system to reduce inflammation in moderate to severe cases of Crohn’s disease. Examples include infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira), natalizumab (Tysabri), vedolizumab (Entyvio), and ustekinumab (Stelara).
Antibiotics: Doctors may prescribe antibiotics to treat bacterial infections and reduce inflammation in the gut. Examples include metronidazole (Flagyl) and ciprofloxacin (Cipro).
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When to contact a doctor
Consider contacting a doctor if you experience any of the following:
worsening or persistent symptoms, like abdominal pain, diarrhea, or rectal bleeding
severe side effects from your medication, like excessive vomiting, difficulty breathing, or significant changes in your mood or behavior
new symptoms or concerning changes in your health, even if they don’t seem directly related to your condition
Summary
Crohn’s disease affects the gastrointestinal tract and can cause various symptoms, including mucus in the stool.
However, other conditions can also cause mucus to show up in your poop.
If you suspect you have Crohn’s disease or are concerned about recent changes in your stool, consider talking with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis.
