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Mucus
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Definitely. That's very common. When the gut is inflamed, the mucosa exudes copious amounts of mucus, in an effort to try to protect itself from whatever is in the fecal stream that is causing the inflammation. It's a natural defensive mechanism, very similar to the phlegm that is produced in your throat, bronchial passages and lungs, when you are fighting a cold or virus. It contains mucins, salts, and electrolytes, and the phlegm produced in the upper respiratory system also includes an array of powerful virus and bacteria fighting substances, added by the immune system. I don't know if the mucus in the gut has been analyzed, but I would be surprised if it didn't also include virus and bacteria fighting components whenever an IBD is present. The reason why mucus is so noticeable in the toilet bowl, is because it's never digested, (even if it originates in the upper respiratory system, and is swallowed).
Tex
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.