Can irritable bowel syndrome cause mucus in stool?

Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
Updated on March 07, 2025
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Irritable bowel syndrome commonly presents with symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation. Typically, passing mucus in stool is not a symptom of this condition. If mucus in stool occurs, it may suggest chronic colitis. A colonoscopy can be performed to confirm the diagnosis. If the colonoscopy reveals white mucus in the intestines, or signs of mucosal hyperemia, edema, or erosion, chronic colitis can be diagnosed. In terms of treatment, Western medicine primarily uses probiotics to adjust the gut flora. Chinese medicine, on the other hand, treats patients based on syndrome differentiation, using oral herbal medicine as well as external Chinese medicinal methods, which include moxibustion or herbal enemas, among others, to alleviate symptoms and treat the disease.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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Can an ultrasound detect irritable bowel syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders. Its main symptoms are abdominal pain and changes in the nature of stool, with the abdominal pain being related to defecation, meaning that the pain is followed by a bowel movement. Since it is a functional gastrointestinal disorder, there are no organic changes, meaning there are no physical changes in any part of the body. It is solely a functional change, and therefore cannot be detected through an ultrasound. In fact, no tests can detect the functional nature of this disorder. In terms of examining the intestinal mucosa, ultrasound cannot visualize it either. The only way to clearly see the intestinal mucosa is through a colonoscopy, so ultrasound cannot detect irritable bowel syndrome.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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Can irritable bowel syndrome cause mucus in stool?

Irritable bowel syndrome commonly presents with symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation. Typically, passing mucus in stool is not a symptom of this condition. If mucus in stool occurs, it may suggest chronic colitis. A colonoscopy can be performed to confirm the diagnosis. If the colonoscopy reveals white mucus in the intestines, or signs of mucosal hyperemia, edema, or erosion, chronic colitis can be diagnosed. In terms of treatment, Western medicine primarily uses probiotics to adjust the gut flora. Chinese medicine, on the other hand, treats patients based on syndrome differentiation, using oral herbal medicine as well as external Chinese medicinal methods, which include moxibustion or herbal enemas, among others, to alleviate symptoms and treat the disease.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Can people with irritable bowel syndrome diarrhea eat steamed buns?

People with diarrhea due to irritable bowel syndrome can eat steamed buns because they need to avoid foods like milk, coffee, and soy milk, which can exacerbate diarrhea. Steamed buns do not cause diarrhea, so patients with irritable bowel syndrome can eat them normally, but they should not eat too much and should eat in moderation, avoiding overeating. At the same time, patients with irritable bowel syndrome should eat more easily digestible and light foods, avoid spicy and stimulating foods as well as greasy foods, and also avoid alcohol, strong tea, coffee, etc.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Does irritable bowel syndrome cause sensitivity to cold?

Irritable bowel syndrome may cause symptoms of feeling cold. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome are greatly influenced by emotions. If a patient is overly tense or anxious, it may lead to a sensation of feeling cold, although there may be no actual drop in body temperature or external temperature. Sometimes, patients with irritable bowel syndrome may need to use anti-anxiety medications for treatment, such as fluoxetine, buspirone, etc. It is also crucial to pay close attention to dietary adjustments, avoiding spicy, irritating, and cold foods, ensuring regular meals, and consuming easily digestible foods. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Can a hot compress be applied to the navel for irritable bowel syndrome?

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who experience symptoms such as abdominal pain and bloating can apply heat to their belly button. By doing so, this increases blood circulation in the abdomen and promotes intestinal peristalsis, which can help alleviate the symptoms of IBS. Besides applying heat to the belly button, traditional Chinese medicine methods such as moxibustion, acupuncture, and physical therapy can also be used. If these treatments do not lead to significant improvements, Western medicines may be employed, such as drugs that adjust the intestinal flora, like compound lactobacillus.