So, if you suspect this problem, go immediately to the hospital. An anal fissure is a relatively common problem that consists of a small wound in the rectum area, which usually occurs from excessive bowel movements, because of frequent diarrhea, for example.
However, the fissure can also be caused by constipation, as the act of defecating very hard stools can end up damaging the sphincter. When this occurs, the fissure causes symptoms such as bright red blood in the stools, pain when defecating, mucus in the stools, and itching in the area. What to do : the most important thing in these cases is adequate intimate hygiene, but taking sitz baths to relieve pain and applying ointments to heal the fissure more quickly are also beneficial.
Alcoholic beverages and spicy foods should also be avoided, giving preference to a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and cereals. Ulcerative colitis is an intestinal alteration that causes ulcers in the bowel and constant mucosal inflammation, so people with ulcerative colitis often have stools with blood, pus, or mucus.
Other symptoms that help to identify a case of ulcerative colitis include diarrhea, very severe abdominal pain, skin lesions, and weight loss. What to do : the general recommendation is to increase the intake of fiber, eating foods such as papaya, lettuce, or chickpeas, to make the stools bulkier and softer. Medication may be needed to relieve abdominal cramps or even stop diarrhea. Error Email field is required. Error Include a valid email address.
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Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Other cases can be treated at home and must run their course. An anal fissure is a tear in the lining of the lower rectum. They are caused by persistent diarrhea, tough stools, and other difficult bowel situations.
An anal fissure can cause painful bowel movements, but they are not that serious. There are over-the-counter remedies to lessen pain, and most clear up within a few days to weeks. Ulcers have similar qualities to anal fissures. If undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy , the body may suffer from a more severe loss of mucus called gastrointestinal mucositis.
More natural day-to-day symptoms like cramps, constipation, and gas or bloating can be signs of a bowel obstruction. Possible causes could be an impacted stool, hernia , tumor , or the passing of a non-food item. Any increase in this type of activity should be reported to a doctor. If it does not clear up in a decent timeframe, hospital treatment may be necessary. Irritable bowel syndrome IBS may increase mucus production. Ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease IBD , can result in the mucous membrane of the large intestine becoming inflamed and developing ulcers.
These ulcers can bleed and may also produce pus and mucus. Increased mucus could be due to another issue like an anal fissure that may require a medical consultation. Food allergies , such as those associated with nuts, lactose, or gluten, can cause mucus in the stool. Certain food items may cause discomfort and the following symptoms:. A doctor will help determine whether it is a food allergy or intolerance, which can often be confused. People should contact a doctor if a noticeable increase in mucus or blood in a bowel movement occurs after eating a certain food.
After a patient has discovered the changes in stool and made an appointment with a doctor, they may be asked to bring in a stool sample. This sample will be used to detect parasites, bacteria, and other illnesses. Although many gut issues do not need lab testing, some people may be ordered to. People who have been traveling abroad are likely to be tested. Other people who may need testing are the very young, the very old, and people with weakened immune systems.
Another reason testing may occur if other symptoms like fever and dehydration are severe. If tests come back positive for bacteria such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, or Shigella, treatment may include antibiotics , but this is not always necessary.
If the test is negative, it could be a less common bacterium such as Aeromonas, Plesiomonas, Yersinia enterocolitica, or a virus, and more tests may be ordered. If still negative for microbes like the ones above, a doctor may ask for another stool sample to investigate further. It is possible, but rare, to have more than one microbe present at a time. A stool sample may not be needed, however. After an initial physical exam, the doctor may request blood samples before a stool test.
This whole-body approach makes it easier to detect what may be going on. If further investigation is required, undergoing a colonoscopy, endoscopy , or even a CT may be necessary to diagnose and treat the problem correctly.
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