Hi everyone, diagnosed with LC in 2006, been struggling with it on and off. I tried going off the Asacol, but started with bad abdominal pain and diarrhea again. I have been noticing alot of mucous in the stool. Is that caused by the LC or could there be other reasons for that. I did notice that when I first was diagnosed. Hope all is well with everyone, love the site.
Deb
mucous in stools
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Hi Deb,
Sorry to "hear" that you're having a serious flare again. Yes, the mucous is due to the inflammation caused by the LC. During a major MC flare, the fecal stream apparently contains unknown "agents", which promote inflammation. The epithelia, which lines the entire GI tract, has a layer of cells at the surface, (known as the mucosa), which continually secretes mucus, that serves as a protective film. The film keeps the surface moist, and slippery, (so that any material in the lumen can flow smoothly, without sticking to the surface), and most importantly, it helps to prevent acids, enzymes, and any other digestive juices, or toxins produced by bacteria, or whatever, from attacking and/or digesting the epithelial lining of the GI tract. If it weren't for the mucus produced in the stomach, for example, the digestive acids are so concentrated there, that it would probably burn a hole through the wall of the stomach before you could say "Jack Robinson", (as the saying goes).
Anyway, the bottom line is, the intestines will produce copious amounts of mucus, when it feels that more is needed, to protect it from some perceived threat. During a major MC flare, something in the fecal stream often triggers such high levels of mucus production. IOW, it's a sign that your intestines are trying to protect themselves from some highly inflammatory agent, and it is a frequently reported symptom, during serious MC flares.
I hope your treatment begins to help, soon.
Tex
Sorry to "hear" that you're having a serious flare again. Yes, the mucous is due to the inflammation caused by the LC. During a major MC flare, the fecal stream apparently contains unknown "agents", which promote inflammation. The epithelia, which lines the entire GI tract, has a layer of cells at the surface, (known as the mucosa), which continually secretes mucus, that serves as a protective film. The film keeps the surface moist, and slippery, (so that any material in the lumen can flow smoothly, without sticking to the surface), and most importantly, it helps to prevent acids, enzymes, and any other digestive juices, or toxins produced by bacteria, or whatever, from attacking and/or digesting the epithelial lining of the GI tract. If it weren't for the mucus produced in the stomach, for example, the digestive acids are so concentrated there, that it would probably burn a hole through the wall of the stomach before you could say "Jack Robinson", (as the saying goes).
Anyway, the bottom line is, the intestines will produce copious amounts of mucus, when it feels that more is needed, to protect it from some perceived threat. During a major MC flare, something in the fecal stream often triggers such high levels of mucus production. IOW, it's a sign that your intestines are trying to protect themselves from some highly inflammatory agent, and it is a frequently reported symptom, during serious MC flares.
I hope your treatment begins to help, soon.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
