It is normal for stool to contain a little amount of mucus. Mucus appears whitish or yellowish and is as viscous as a jelly. Mucus is a product of the mucus membrane that is situated in the large intestine. Regularly, the mucus substance in the stool is not noticeable and serves as a lubricant that allows smooth passage of the stool. Mucus, in small amounts, is not an indication of any serious disease. However, if there is a lot of visible mucus in the feces, it may signal the occurrence of gastrointestinal illness or anal inflammation and infection.
There are conditions that may cause the presence of a huge amount of mucus in the stool. Some of these include bacterial infection, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, anal fissures, ulcer, and even colon cancer. Aside from these diseases, another condition that is said to bring about too much mucus in the feces is hemorrhoids. So, do hemorrhoids cause mucus in the stool?
Before giving the answer to that question, it is important to know what hemorrhoids are. In a nutshell, hemorrhoids are naturally present in the body. They are cushion-like pile of veins that are located beneath the mucus membrane in the lowest section of the anus. When these veins get swollen because of feeling too much pressure brought about by various factors, what we commonly known as piles or hemorrhoids occur.
Studies have shown that individuals suffering from hemorrhoids have an increased resting anal canal tome. This means that their anal canal’s smooth muscle are more constricted than normal, even if the muscle is not strained.
Hemorrhoids have two kinds, internal and external. Internal hemorrhoids develop in the lower rectum whereas external hemorrhoids arise beneath the anus. In most cases, external hemorrhoids give the most discomfort because the skin involved tears and becomes irritated. A severe pain may also be felt if blood clot accumulates inside the external hemorrhoids. This forms a lump around the anal area. Although the clot dissolves on its own over time, itchy skin tags may be left.
On the other hand, internal hemorrhoids do not cause pain even when there is bleeding involved. They can extend beyond the lower rectum and can lead to infection and other problems.
Now that we understand what this condition is all about, we can proceed to answering the question, “do hemorrhoids cause mucus in the stool?” Both external and internal forms can be a cause of mucus in the stool. For instance, when swollen veins protrude (which happens when one has internal hemorrhoids), they gather amounts of mucus. This mucus substance usually have stains of blood on it. Likewise, external hemorrhoids also contribute to having mucus in the stool. Frequently, mucus comes along with itching, inflammation, bleeding, and pain.
If you see mucus in your stool and is suspicious that the hemorrhoidal disease is the reason behind it, the next thing to ask after the question “do hemorrhoids cause mucus in the stool?” is “how can it be treated?” Have yourself checked with a specialist to find out the correct solution.
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