Fatty mucus in stool is a common symptom that can occur after eating foods that are very fatty. However, sometimes, especially for people who experience fatty mucus in stool regularly. This symptom can be a sign of a problem with the body’s absorption or digestion of fat.

In addition to the characteristics of the stool that is mixed with fatty mucus. People with fatty mucus stool may also notice that the color of the stool is rather pale, has an unusual smell. And often floats in the water. This symptom can be caused by many things. Especially diseases related to the small intestine, pancreas, bile duct, and liver, as these organs are responsible for digesting fat.

Examples of possible causes of fatty, mucus-like stools

Sometimes, fatty mucus in stool can simply be caused by eating fatty foods. But sometimes it can be caused by certain medical conditions, such as:

1. Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a condition in which the pancreas does not produce enough of certain enzymes. That are responsible for digesting fat. People with pancreatitis are more likely to have fatty, mucus-like stools. Common causes of this condition include illness, gallstones, and  regular drinking of alcoholic beverages.

For those with this condition, the first symptom is often abdominal pain, which may spread to the back. Other symptoms that may occur may vary from person to person, such as palpitations, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite,  unexplained weight loss, rapid breathing, and fever.

2. Liver Failure

Liver failure , or the inability of the liver to function properly, is a condition in which the liver is unable to produce bile salts that are responsible for breaking down fat. People with this condition may have fatty, mucus-like stools. This condition can be caused by a number of factors, including hepatitis B,  regular alcohol consumption, cirrhosis, and iron overload.

Other symptoms that patients may experience. Besides mucus-like, fatty stools include fatigue, diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, bloody vomiting,  and bloody stools.

3. Diseases of the biliary tract

Diseases related to the biliary tract, such as biliary atresia, gallstones, and cholangitis. May cause the affected person to have fatty, mucus-like stools.

4. Pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a disease caused by the abnormal growth of cells in the pancreas. Leading to the formation of a tumor. People at risk for this disease include the elderly, diabetics. Those who are overweight, those with chronic pancreatitis, those exposed to pesticides or certain chemicals, and those who smoke.

Symptoms of this disease include yellow skin and eyes, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, pain in the upper abdomen, pain in the middle of the back, itching of the skin, and abnormal weight loss.

5. Chronic inflammatory bowel disease

Chronic inflammatory bowel disease is a disease that causes patients to have a variety of symptoms that vary from person to person, depending on the location of the disease and the severity of the inflammation, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite, abnormal weight loss, and bloody stools.

6. Side effects of surgery

Some surgical procedures may cause the patient to have fatty mucus-like stools, such as bariatric surgery  , which changes the patient’s process of absorbing fat and nutrients. This will require the patient to take care of themselves according to the doctor’s treatment guidelines.

7. Side effects from taking certain medications

The use of certain medications can cause the patient to malabsorb fat from food, leading to fatty, mucus-like stools as a side effect, such as the drug orlistat  . 

8. Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the walls of the small intestine after eating foods that contain gluten. When the walls of the small intestine are damaged, the process of absorbing nutrients, including fat, can be disrupted.

Symptoms of this group of patients include diarrhea, unusually smelly stools, abdominal pain, abnormal weight loss, fatigue, flatulence, constipation, brittle nails,  and cold hands.

In addition to all the causes mentioned above, fatty mucus in stool can also be caused by other causes, such as Crohn’s Disease  or heavy alcohol consumption.