Do you have IBS and have noticed what looks like blood in the mucous that comes out with your bowel movements?
“One not uncommonly sees mucous in the stool with IBS, but not blood,” says Michael Blume, MD, a gastroenterologist at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital, Baltimore.
“Your colon normally produces mucous, mostly to act as a lubricant.
“When your colon gets somewhat irritable, it makes more mucous, and one may see it in the stool. It may look scary, but usually is not dangerous.
“Bleeding, however, is not a sign of IBS, as a rule, so when one sees bleeding or bloody mucous, it would indicate that there may be some other problem going on, and should prompt that person to seek medical attention.”
Blood in the mucous could be finding its way there simply because the mucous is part of the stool movement.
If it’s truly blood in the mucous, there’s likely blood somewhere else in the bowel movement—quite possibly imperceptible to your naked eye.
Red is easier to see when it’s mixed with something white or cream colored.
If you have IBS, it’s not impossible to develop an unrelated condition that causes blood in your stools.
The blood may just happen to get mixed with the mucous, making it easier to see.
If you’re worried about any symptoms, make an appointment with your gastroenterologist.
In practice for 25+ years, Dr. Blume treats over 65 conditions including abdominal pain, appetite loss, blood in stool, celiac disease, colon cancer, esophageal and liver disease, gas and IBS.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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