Differential Diagnosis for Mucous in Stool
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): This is often the most common cause of mucous in stool, characterized by a combination of abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, and the presence of mucous without any visible blood or other signs of infection.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Infectious Gastroenteritis: Viral or bacterial infections can cause inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to the presence of mucous in the stool, along with symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can cause chronic inflammation of the GI tract, resulting in mucous and sometimes blood in the stool, along with other symptoms like weight loss and abdominal pain.
- Diverticulitis: Inflammation of the diverticula in the colon can lead to the presence of mucous in the stool, often accompanied by abdominal pain, fever, and changes in bowel habits.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Colorectal Cancer: Although less common, colorectal cancer can present with mucous in the stool, especially if the tumor is located in the rectum or sigmoid colon. Other symptoms may include blood in the stool, weight loss, and changes in bowel habits.
- Intussusception: A condition where a part of the intestine telescopes into another part, which can cause an obstruction and lead to the passage of mucous and blood in the stool. It's more common in children but can occur in adults, often requiring urgent medical attention.
- Appendicitis: In some cases, especially if the appendix is located near the rectum, appendicitis can cause changes in bowel habits, including the presence of mucous in the stool, along with severe abdominal pain and fever.
Rare Diagnoses
- Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV): A sexually transmitted infection that can cause proctitis, leading to symptoms like mucous discharge from the rectum, pain, and bleeding.
- Amyloidosis: A condition characterized by the deposition of amyloid proteins in various tissues, including the GI tract, which can lead to diarrhea, weight loss, and the presence of mucous in the stool.
- Gastrointestinal Lymphoma: A type of cancer that affects the immune cells in the GI tract, which can cause a variety of symptoms including diarrhea, weight loss, and the presence of mucous or blood in the stool.