Causes of Blood and Mucus in Stools
Bloody phlegm in stools, that is blood and mucus in stools, can result from number of causes. Blood, as seen in the stool, can originate anywhere along the intestinal tract. The color of the stool can suggest the location of the bleeding, although this is not definitive.
Black Stools
A black stool usually means that the blood is coming from the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract. At least 2 tablespoons of blood must have been lost in order to make the stool black.
Common causes of black stools are:
- Bleeding ulcer
- Gastritis
- Esophageal varices
- Mallory-Weiss tear (a tear in the esophagus from violent vomiting)
Maroon Colored Stools
Maroon-colored stools suggest that the blood is coming from the middle portion of the intestinal tract.
Common causes:
- Diverticular bleeding
- Vascular malformation
- Intestinal infection
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Tumor
Bright Red
Bright red color suggests that the blood is from the large bowel or rectum.
Common causes:
- Hemorrhoids
- Anal fissures (“cracks” in the anal area)
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Intestinal infections such as viral gastroenteritis
- Diverticular bleeding
- Vascular malformation
- Colon polyp or Colon cancer
- Necrotizing enterocolitis
- Lactose intolerance
The ingestion of black licorice, lead, Pepto-Bismol, or blueberries can
all cause black stools or false melena. Stools should be tested for the presence of hidden blood.
Some upper GI causes of bloody stools can also cause vomiting blood such as in peptic ulcer disease.
Definitive diagnosis is made on the basis of a detailed history (including associated symptoms) and diagnostic tests. For detailed description on some of these common problems, read here.
I do not have proper bowel movement from past 7-8 months and gas problem. I recently noticed blood along with mucus in my stool.I do not have hard stool.plz indicate the reason for the same.
Do you have either of these two, constipation or diarrhea?
Have you had a stool culture done? If yes, can you share the report here.
Hi I have light red blood mucus evident on the outside of my stool which varies from day to day. The colour is correct chocolate brown but it’s obviously disturbing to see this has been like this for around 5 weeks can.you recommend the best thing to do I have no cramps or pains
Kind regards Richard
This may be blood coming out from some lesion in the upper GIT. Better see a Gastroenterologist at the earliest.
Ive been having constipation problems for the past 6 months. I’m EXTREMELY adamant about fiber inclusion in my mostly healthy diet. I also closely monitor my fluid intake, but still have constipation. Over the past few months i have been experiencing severe abdominal discomfort, excessive gas and maroon colored mucous in my stool the past 5 bowel movements. Is this cause for serious concern?
It could be blood in stools. Stool culture is required at the earliest.
For the last two days I’ve been seeing some mucus with blood in it. Yesterday morning my stool was this weird reddish brown colour and then when I went again in the evening it looked like it had some dark pieces/patches and then this morning I saw mucus again with red specks in it and I think it was blood. I am really scared and worried. Had a colonoscopy 2years ago but they only saw one half or so because I didn’t tolerate it well. Dreading I’ll need another one.
Any history of stomach ulcers?
I had very low bright red blood streaks on the surface of my stools and it stopped in 2 days.After 2 months i am seeing mucous in my stool.Will it requires any home treatment or any cause of concern
Other Symptoms
1) Occasional irritation or burning sensation in my back passage
This calls for an examination by a doctor. The cause of blood needs to be investigated.
May be, you have some growth or hemorrhoids down there.
Thank you. I will make an appoitment with doctor. Is it serious..i am 27 age
Unlikely to be serious. There may be some lesion on or near the skin surface that,s bleeding.
I have Crohn’s. I haven’t had a flare for 3 years. Take medicine daily. I have had abnormal stools with mucus for several weeks. I noticed a few days ago that there is blood in the mucus. I had a routine scheduled colonoscopy 2 months ago and it was clear. I have no pain. Should I call the doctor? Do I need to go in? Thank you.
Are you on any medications for this condition?
Apriso
Since you’re under a drug coverage, you may wait for some time. If this recurs, you may see a Doctor.
I have been feeling unwell for 5 weeks or so, headaches severe at times, tired, intermittent nausea and bloating acompanied by discomfort. This week the bloating and abdominal discomfort which has escalated to painful have worsened and have noticed bloody mucus in stools. The abdominal pain seems to radiate from upper left or at times like a band causing pain around middle back/upper abdomin. No constipation or diarreah but still feels like i need to go when ive finished sometimes. Also passing wind much more than is usual,
Your age? Any underlying medical condition? Does the blood in stool look like a fresh streak, or is it rusted and mixed with stools? These information may help us advice you better.
AS it would be difficult for you to visit the hospital, start with trying anta acids at home. Omiprazole may be started twice daily. Take a pill half an hour before your two main meals.
I have like cuagulated blood in my stool, looks like a bloody mucus around the stool? I have had a hemorroid surgey before, when I poop it’s like a feeling of dhiarrea when the blood occurs, any suggestions?
If it’s one time, you may ignore. Could be a part of overall healing process. However, if it recurs, a physical exam of the operation site may be needed.
I am a male, vegan, 36 years old. 6 weeks ago, I had diarrhoea, fever 37.8C, fatigue and muscle aches for 2 days. (I suspect due to food poisoning). These symptoms disappeared and right after that, I started experiencing changes in my bowel, as a result I started having frequent defecations , varying from 5-8 times daily. The consistency of my stool was mainly soft. I started noticing spots of red blood in the stool and sometimes would see a discharge of bloody mucus. I would also see blood on toilet paper and sometimes mixed with mucus. I visited a doctor, I had a proctoscopy done and they noticed a wound. I also did a stool test and they didn’t find anything suspicious. The past 4-5 days the frequency of bloody mucus discharge has been increased (3-4 times per day), and is accompanied with bloating and gases. Any thoughts on my diagnosis , what might causing this and what should I do next ? Thank you!
What sort of wound? Can you share their diagnosis here? Are you under any treatment?
Hi doctor, thank you for your reply!
I have hypothyroidism, I’m on thyrxoxine 100mcg/daily. Recent blood count of TSH was slightly above normal level, it happened before but I never had issue with digestion. I’ve been diagnosed with hashimoto’s hypothyroidism since I was 18. I also have a history of panic attacks and anxiety but never received any treatment for that, I’ve been able to manage it on my own somehow.
This is the result of the proctoscopy and some other notes that I see might be of value:
-Abrasion over rectal wall, no oozing
-gC well, no pallor, abdomen soft, non tender
-no fhx of CA colon
Your symptoms are likely to be due to rectal abrasion. Therefore, your doctors would treat you for the same. You may be advised stool softeners and some medications.
Rectal abrasions may take time to heal.
Hypothyroidism may be indirectly contributing to the condition. It’s not uncommon for hypo patients to be constipated or have irregular bowel movements. Also, the muscle tone of the anal sphincter also gets affected if thyroid is not optimally functioning.
Chronic bowel problems may precipitate such abrasions. Hence, a strict thyroid control is recommended.
I had a colonoscopy done. I have been diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. Waiting for the biopsy result to know whether it is due to a pathogen or due to an autoimmune disorder.
Do let us know the report.
Dear Buddy M. D.
I am a 27 year old male. I have had severe chronic gut pain and bloating as well as chronic exhaustion for the past few years with diarrhea and constipation on and off. I had a colonoscopy about a year ago and they found nothing. Recently (within the past year) I have had a change in bowel habits, and I started seeing large amounts of blood and mucous in the stool. I now have blood and mucous in the stool about six times a day. Could this be parasites? What would be the best way to try to treat it naturally?
Thanks and God bless
Looks like your gut is irritated and inflamed from inside. That may be the reason why it’s oozing out mucous and blood. There’s an umbrella term called Inflammatory bower syndrome under which are such diseases are medically grouped.
IBS is often difficult to diagnose. Have you ever been treated for it?
No I have never been treated for it. I would really like to get a stool test done. Do you think that would help?
Well yes, it may. Do update us about your health.
You may read here about a similar case https://buddymd.com/dietary-remedies-irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs
Had a colonoscopy in 9/2020 with two small benign polyps. I have internal hemorrhoids and HSV2. Noticed blood tinged mucous on outside of stool. No family history of colon cancer. Any ideas?
Is your BP under control? Your age?
Yes- I m 58 years old – seems like running aggravates it-
Has recital prolapse surgery in 12/2019- maybe a fissure? Fistula?
Rectal
Could be some minor tear/ ulcer again. Physical examination may be needed for confirming the diagnosis.
Meanwhile, avoid being constipated. Stool softeners may also be used on a daily basis.
I’m 23 weeks pregnant and for the last 2 weeks I have had increased mucus in my stools sometimes mixed with blood or red/pink tinged blood when wiping. I had a rectal exam done by my OB and she didn’t find anything and stool negative for occult blood. Any ideas what might be causing this?
Are you constipated??
No I am not
It’s common to get increased mucous at this stage of pregnancy. This is normal, nothing to worry.
A little blood is also not worrisome. However, you’ll need to keep a watch. If you see more blood coming out, inform your gyne about it immediately.
I am 21 years old I see blood on the stool i.e light shades on the stool and in the morning I also some mucus around it. On one day in the afternoon I saw only mucus pooping out white in colour. And again I was getting the stool with mucus what could be the reason. My stool is yellowish brown to yellow. I have no other symptoms or pains . A small back pain appears but goes away .What could be the reason?
Could be constipation, eating fewer of dietary fibers. Or may be your water intake is too less.
I went for a doctor and he prescribed probiotics and ofloxacin along with two medicines, it was for 10 days and after that again I started seeing mucuosy stools but mucus level is higher this time and I was checking and after two days I found blood around or inner of the stool along with greeny appearences , it turned to dark green stool later. So my family doctor gave norfloxin 400 and metrozil 400 for 3 days the green colour was reduced on the next day and I was observing blood again with some light greeny appearences with some strange smell. What should I do ?
Should I use those medicines for 3 days and see?
Or what could be my next proceedings? I was very tensed seeing these abnormalities in the stool.
Also gave Mikacin for 3 days since I agian got the green stools even after using metrogyl and norgfloxin for 3 days
After taking mikacin for 3 days I got the green coloured stools controlled but I see little bit of mucus appearing on the any of the piece of the stool(broken stool) and when I ever I finish defecation it takes some time and after that when I sit I get some pain.
Could you suggest some medicine for controlling mucus and can help in intestinal health with good motion.
Do you have any tummy pain, gastric problem or any other symptom apart from this?
I get pain at the lower right back below the ribs some times that it stays for time and goes away and gastic problem sometimes not regularly.
Now the status my mucus was controlled in my stool and only thing sometimes I get some times greenish appearences (I mean yellow -green- brown kind ) with some different on the stool and frequent urge to defecate , the stool comes normal shape most of the times and sometimes it looks abnormal
In smells little bit different too
I got my stool culture done it came out to be Gram negative Ecoli with ESBL effect.
What is it ?
Is it the cause for all the abonormalities of the stool I mean greenish appearences on the stool or yellowish white appearences of the stool.
ESBL types of bacteria are the ones who are more resistant towards conventionally used antibiotics. This infection is likely to be giving you all symptoms. You’ll need to get it treated.
Can it get treated , Is it dangerous? Can it cause death?
Yes. the condition is treated with proper antibiotics and GI care. You’ll need to be vigilant about what you eat. Consume whole grains, plenty of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. Avoid excess of all stimulants, namely excess tea, coffee, spices like pepper, alcohol etc.
Drink plenty of water. A probiotic may be introduced in daily diet. This would be daily home made curd or any other of your choice.
I went for a GI specialist and he told that it was IBS which was causing you these abnormal things
Can masturbation be a cause of IBS ?
No.
IBS is basically inflammation or irritation of your inner gut. Same gut care as given below would benefit you. However, you need to be patient and give it time to heal.
I am a 55 year old female. I have been having stool with mucus and/or bloody mucus for months. I also suffer from IBS-C. Lately I have had more bloody mucus and sometimes it comes without stool. It is bright red but sometimes contains clumps. I had a colonoscopy four years ago that said I had external hemorrhoids and diviticulosis. No pain except in my rectum after I go to the bathroom. Could this be hemorrhoids or something else?
Could be hemorrhoids. Better get treated to prevent blood loss. This could make you feel weak.
Last Friday I ate a burger from sonic and later on ate dinner at home. Saturday morning I started feeling really strange and have serious pain in my stomach and I could hear my stomach bubbling and kind of growling. I would pass gas but no relief and it’s going on day 10 and the pain is not as bad but still there, I still have an appetite and I had any nausea, but I have been extremely constipated and today I noticed some blood and mucus in my stool
If you get that blood in your stool repeatedly, you need to see a physician for check up. You may be having hemorrhoids down there.
Shift to a cleansing diet for some time. Eat light and freshly cooked food, comprising plenty of vegetables. Avoid all junk food, excess of spices, excess of tea, coffee and alcohol. All these irritate the gut.
Your gut is likely to recover for this inflammation on its own with time.
I’m a 21yo male with some history of gastrointestinal issues in my family (an uncle with Crohn’s, a lot of IBS and nervous stomachs). The past couple months I’ve had on/off constipation and diarrhea, nausea, and cramps. For 2 or 3 days I’ve been having severe headaches and abdominal pain, and mucus in my stools.
I’m now having bloody, mucus coated stools. The blood is bright red and my stools are yellowish. Should I see a gastroenterologist?
Better to see a gastroenterologist for early diagnosis.