The lining of our intestines produce mucous to lubricate the lining and allow smooth passage of food and stool. It is normal to see a small amount of clear or yellowish mucous.
The amount seems greater than before. Is this ok?
The most common reasons to see a larger volume of mucous discharge is an irritable bowel that may have been provoked by a change in diet, stress or an infection.
The only time to get concerned and seek medical advise is if the mucous is accompanied with the following:
blood in the stool
painful defecation (tenesmus)
urgency to defecate
abdominal pain
fever
If these symptoms are present, you may need investigation to assess for inflammatory, infection or cancer. Your doctor can then proceed with the appropriate investigation such as blood tests, stool tests and endoscopy (sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy)