What if there is jelly-like discharge in stools? Is it Ulcerative Colitis?

Introduction

Sometimes people complain of discharge from the anus that stains their underwear, but they do not know if the discharge is pus or mucus, or if it is a simple stool that is a diluted discharge. A large amount of mucus in the stool always warns about a medical condition. Jelly-like discharge in the stools or mucus in the stools is a natural occurrence that can be due to a number of completely different causes, ranging from simple constipation to a more serious inflammatory disease like Ulcerative colitis and sometimes even cancer. In this article, we will look at the origin of jelly-like discharge in stool, its causes and if it is a signal of Ulcerative Colitis.

What is this jelly-like Discharge (Mucus) in Stool?

The jelly-like discharge or Mucus is a thick and viscous substance, most often white, secreted by the mucous membranes. The stool helps evacuate the waste products of digestion. If stool contains mucus (white or yellowish) it may be a sign of an inflammatory disease like Ulcerative Colitis.

Production of Mucus (Jelly-like Discharge)

The mucus found in the stool is usually produced by the mucous membrane of the large intestine. However, mucus is also produced by other organs in the body, such as the lungs where it helps trap inhaled foreign particles or in the sinuses that produce it to filter the oxygen we breathe in, harmful particles, and dust. The purpose of mucus in the intestines is to protect the inner wall and, because it is slippery, it makes it easier to pass stool. Passing out small amount of mucus in the stool is not inherently harmful because it is a normal part of the stool, but too much could be a sign of an illness or condition that needs treatment.

If too much of the mucus lining the walls of the intestine is lost, it could make the colon more susceptible to bacteria.

Different signs indicating Jelly-like Discharge in Stool

The mucus in the stool makes them look shiny or gooey or have a sticky consistency. It is true that fatty stools can also look like this, but the mucus has a more gelatinous appearance. This mucus in the stool may be stringy, lumpy, or sticky. And it can come out through the colon with or without a stool. It can happen that the blood is mixed with mucus due to inflammation or acute infection. Of course, having blood in the stool is sometimes very dangerous, so you should consult your doctor.

Mucus in the stool can take many forms. Here are some examples:

Saddles with Mucus coating

• In this case, the jelly-like discharge (mucus) has formed a transparent coating on the stool. It does not appear to be mixed in the stool.
• This mucus does not appear to be related to the parasite because it is clear.
• If microbes were present in the mucus, it would be opaque, yellow, or green, just like the infected respiratory mucus that is released during sputum.
• The stools appear hard, small and compact, which is usually indicative of constipation.
• The likely cause of this mucus is irritation of the sigmoid colon which could result from constipation.
• The irritation causes copious amounts of mucus to secrete, which then coats the stool, to protect the walls of the intestine.

Fluffy stools with patches of gelatinous, stringy mucus

• In this second example, the saddle has a sticky, gelatinous surface in places, along with fluffy, dry edges and undigested food.
• Since the stool, in this case, is very soft, lumpy, and yellowish in appearance, it indicates a rapid transit time through the digestive tract.
• Due to the bulk of the stool, lumps of undigested food, and the dull color of the stool, the patient likely has poor digestion and is at risk for unhealthy weight loss.
• The patient’s stool is likely to have a foul odor and his intestines may be irritated.
• The mucus was probably present in the small intestine or before stool formation since it appears to be mixed with the stool.
• The stringy nature of the mucus can indicate candidiasis, but many other microbes also form stringy colonies.

Baby stool

• Babies and children tend to have more mucus in their stools than adults because they are in the light stool period.
• A baby’s first poop, formed in utero, is called meconium. They often has a lot of mucus.
• Once babies start drinking only their mothers’ sweet, high-fat milk, their stools tend to be oily, slimy and mustard-like.
• If a nursing infant has an overproduction of mucus in the stool, the mother might avoid this fact by reducing the intake of foods such as sugar, dairy products, and wheat, or increasing the bitter taste of her diet with more greens such as salads and turmeric.
• Finally, if a child eats table foods, it may help to cut down on aggravating foods such as processed sugars.

Mucus in the stool due to infection of the colon

• The signs of mucus in the stool are sometimes more obvious, for example when analyzed visually it will be noted that the mucus is clear, opaque, yellow or green like that of the second example with the characteristic that this time there is no constipation (stools not hard) and no infection of the upper digestive system (no food remains and the stools are very uniform).
• This may indicate that parasites or infectious microbes are present in the rectum and/or sigmoid colon.

Different types of Mucus Discharge that can be seen in the stool

Mucus is natural and plays a very important role in the functioning and protection of the body’s organs. Tissues produce mucus that lines and protects the mouth, nose, sinuses, throat, lungs, and intestines. Most of the time, the mucus is clear and thin. However, factors related to illness, diet or the environment can sometimes increase the consistency of mucus and even change its color.

• People usually have more mucus when they have a sinus infection and may notice that the mucus is greenish in color.
• White mucus, yellow, green, or brown impurities in the feces appear in adults due to food allergies or lactose intolerance. These discharges occur in dull life, accompanied by poor digestion of food. This indicates that there is no liquid medium that promotes the movement of feces.
• In the case of mucus in the stool, men and women of all ages may also see signs of dysfunction in their digestive system and the colon in particular, depending on the content of mucus in the stool.
• A large amount of obvious mucus is evidence of cystic fibrosis, which occurs on the background of increased mucus production by the glands. This condition indicates an inflammatory process in the respiratory tract or intestines. Food allergies are also accompanied by a clear blood clot discharge.
• A “normal” bowel movement will not produce much mucus and the mucus in the stool in this case, yellow or clear, cannot be detected with the naked eye. However, when the stool contains visible mucus, it could be a sign of bacterial infections, anal fissures, intestinal obstruction, or other illnesses like Ulcerative Colitis.

The increase in mucus can be interpreted as how the body tries to warn us that something is wrong.

When is the mucus in the stool normal?

As pointed out above, mucus is a slippery, natural substance that lines many cavities in the body. Often the mucus (phlegm) is not visible to the naked eye, but it is found in many body fluids.

• The mucus found in the stool is produced by cells in the lining of the digestive system. It is also found in other organs that need their uppermost cell layer (the epithelium) to be kept moist. The mucus also serves as a layer of defense to prevent harmful germs from entering the body like those in the sinuses.
• Mucus can be found in the throat, lips, nose, eyelids, ears, anus, intestines and genital tract. It is used to trap bacteria, viruses and fungi. As it holds antiseptic enzymes which are helpful in killing foreign invaders.
• The mucus also acts as a lubricant to these orifices, preventing them from drying out and cracking, which would make them vulnerable to attack.
• The mucus in the digestive tract helps stool pass easily through the intestine.

Note that having mucus (phlegm) in the body is an absolute necessity, but overproduction could indicate that there is a problem with the body.

Thus a packet of mucus in the stool, which is easily seen with the naked eye, can only be a sign of digestive problems due to the proliferation of bacteria or problems related to digestive enzymes. While this sign of increased mucus is not inherently harmful, it can serve as a clue for a more accurate diagnosis.

When jelly-like discharge is considered as Ulcerative Colitis?

If there is mucus in the stool, you need to take into account the condition of the Ulcerative Colitis as the jelly-like discharge in mucus is one the most common symptom of it. Various pointers that indicates the discharge of jelly-like substance is a symbol of Ulcerative Colitis are as follow:-

This can be a simple reaction of the body to certain types of food and can signal serious illnesses that require attention and reaction.

• Pain without temperature and excretion with orange mucus indicate the possibility of ulcerative colitis.
• Mucus with a lot of blood stems speaks of the likelihood of ulcerative colitis or dysentery.
• Inflammation of the mucous membrane becomes severe, and when ulcers occur.
• Bleeding and mucous stool are often discharged.
• Presence of mucus may also be an inflammation of the colon.

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is a long-term, chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive tract, specifically involving ulcers and sores of the large intestine (colon) and rectum. Ulcerative colitis often starts gradually and worsens over time, with periods of remission interspersed with flare-ups. It is characterized by inflammation of the intestines, which leads to generalized irritation and swelling of the intestines. Its most general symptom is mucus in the stool.

Ayurveda and Ulcerative Colitis

The Ayurveda is the traditional Indian medicine. It is the oldest health care system in the world still practiced today. The first Ayurvedic texts date back to 3000 BC! But what does “Ayurveda” mean? Derived from the two Sanskrit terms Ayur (life) and Veda (science), the term Ayurveda means knowledge or science of life. This medicine originated more than five thousand years ago in India. It was developed from the intuitions, observations, and experiences of Indian sages, the Rishis. They relied on natural resources – plants, rocks, food, manual therapy, etc. – to develop a set of both preventive and curative practices. Their teachings were then passed orally from masters to disciples before appearing in Sanskrit texts, the Vedas.

The Ayurveda is the science “of how to live long”. Planet Ayurveda provide wonder herbal remedies to treat Ulcerative Colitis by balancing Tridoshas (constitution) of human body. In Ayurveda, we consider that the state of health is not determined by non-expression of the disease, because when the disease is expressed (by symptoms), it means that we are already at an advanced stage of imbalance. And in Ayurvedic medicine the whole objective is to balance the state of health, to avoid the appearance of diseases or disorders.

We at Planet Ayurveda caters you best herbal supplements that helps in taking care of your life and health. We put our finest efforts to provide you products of best quality. Planet Ayurveda serves best dominant herbal remedies articulating pack by the name of Ulcerative Colitis Care Pack for Ayurvedic Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis. This herbal pack contains the optimum quality herbs and natural ingredient. These herbal products are prepared by strictly following the Ancient principles of Ayurveda. Herbal Remedies of Planet Ayurveda are 100% natural, pure, and vegetarian. This pack is safe to use at any age. All medicines in this pack are free from any kind of chemicals, yeast, additives, and color. These herbal remedies are free from any kind of side effects.

Planet Ayurveda provides appropriate herbal medicines for Ulcerative Colitis. For further treatment it is recommended to consult Dr. Vikram Chauhan.