When you have IBS, various foods and other triggers cause colon spasms.
These spasms rush food through the digestive tract, bringing excess mucus with it.
It’s normal to have a small amount of mucus in your stooleven if you don’t have IBS.
Illustration by Brianna Gilmartin for Verywell Health
Mucus in stool should always be clear to white and jelly-like, and might appear in gobs during aflare.
Illustration by Brianna Gilmartin for Verywell Health
Does IBS Cause Mucus in Poop?
Most people have a small amount of mucus in their poop.
This mucus helps slide the stool through the intestines and out the body.
For this reason, you might notice more mucus than normal in your stool during a flare.
What Causes Jelly-Like Mucus in the Stool?
What Does IBS Stool Look Like?
The mucus is typically clear to white and jelly-like.
People with IBS may see gobs of mucus in their stool.
This is not a serious problem unless it happens constantly.
Stool that appears black and tarry indicates the bleeding is happening higher up in the gastrointestinal tract.
Blood in stoolis notan IBS symptom.
Even a few drops of blood should be investigated.
What Foods Cause Mucus in Stool?
You might notice mucus in your stool if you eat something you are sensitive too.
Triggers and sensitivities vary between individuals.
Record flare-ups, the foods you ate beforehand, and any other symptoms.
This can help you and your healthcare provider identify triggers.
However, you may find that addressing and managing IBS flares results in reduced mucus discharge.
This is relatively normal, and not usually cause for concern.
If you notice bloody mucus in your stool, see a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
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