Mucous colitis is a common gastrointestinal disorder affecting bowel movement regulation (motility) and sensitivity (hypersensitivity). It is characterized by:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Mucus in stools
- Irregular bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between both)
Symptoms are typically chronic and fluctuate over time.
Causes
The exact cause is unknown, but factors that may trigger episodes include:
- Overwork and stress
- Cold weather
- Prolonged use of laxatives
- Nervous system influences
- Dietary imbalances
Clinical Features
- Pain: Persistent abdominal discomfort, often burning, especially in the lower left abdomen. Pain may worsen after bowel movements.
- Stool Characteristics: Hard, ribbon-like stools; periods of constipation alternating with diarrhea. During diarrhea, mucus may appear in strands or clumps, but without blood.
- Associated Symptoms: Bloating, fatigue, insomnia, and weight loss.
- Examination Findings: A distended colon, tenderness along its length, and sometimes eczema around the umbilicus.
Diagnosis
Mucous colitis is clinically distinguished from ulcerative colitis by the absence of blood in stools.
- Barium Enema & Sigmoidoscopy help rule out other conditions.
- Barium Meal Test may reveal narrowing in the descending and sigmoid colon.
Prognosis
Though not life-threatening, mucous colitis can lead to prolonged discomfort and may contribute to conditions like diverticulosis or diverticulitis.
- Treatment requires patience and lifestyle adjustments.
- Psychological support is crucial as anxiety often aggravates symptoms.
- Frequent stool examinations should be avoided.
Diet & Lifestyle Recommendations
- General Diet: Liberal intake of food, except for coarse fiber. Fruits and vegetables provide essential fiber.
- Avoid: Smoking and alcohol, as they can worsen symptoms. Some individuals experience relief after quitting smoking.
- Clothing: Keeping the abdomen warm helps prevent symptom flare-ups.
Homeopathic Remedies for Mucous Colitis
Commonly Prescribed Medicines
Aloe, Ant-c., Arg-n., Arn., Bell., Colch., Dulc., Ip., Laur., Mag-c., Merc-c., Sulph., Alst., Ambro., Asc-t., Bapt., Coll., Cuph., Eucal., Gamb., Ip., Leon., Nux-v., Podo., Verat.
Remedies Based on Different Repertories
Synthesis Repertory
- Dysentery (Acute): Calo.
- Spring Dysentery: Vario.
- Dysentery in Nervous, Menopausal Women: Lil-t.
- White Mucous Dysentery (Before Stools): Silphu.
- Septic Dysentery: Crot-h.
- Malaria Accompanied by Dysentery: Alst-s.
Kent’s Repertory
- Dysentery in Undersized, Emaciated Children: Bar-m.
- Skin Eruptions Alternating with Dysentery: Rhus-t.
- Herpetic Skin Eruptions with Dysenteric Stools & Chest Issues: Rhus-t.
- Nighttime Dysentery: Merc., Sulph., Trom.
Murphy’s Repertory
- Elderly Patients with Infectious Dysentery: Bapt.
Clarke’s Repertory
- Chronic Dysentery: Rhus-a.
Phatak’s Repertory
- Mucous Colitis: Asar., Colch., Cop., Kali-p., Rhus-t., Zinc-val.
- Dysentery Triggers:
- Worse after an episode: Alo., Colch.
- Autumn Dysentery: Arnica.
- Menopausal Dysentery: Lilium-tig.
- Undersized, Emaciated Children: Baryta-mur.
- Rheumatic Pain Accompanied by Dysentery: Asclepias.
Boericke’s Repertory
- Diarrhea/Enteritis with Tenacious, Glairy Stools: Asar., Caps., Crot-t., Hell., Kali-bi.
Discussion on Lesser-Known Remedies
ALUMEN
- Putrid dysentery.
- Intense pain radiating from the rectum down the thigh.
- Persistent tenesmus following stool, accompanied by unbearable pain (possible scirrhus in rectum).
AMMONIUM MURIATICUM
Specifics:
- Hard, crumbly stools alternating with green mucus-covered stools, requiring great effort for expulsion.
- Stool color varies from white and undigested to green and slimy.
General Symptoms:
- Strong thirst for lemonade.
- Profuse, hot, acrid watery discharge that irritates the lips.
- Frequent symptoms paired with coughing and excessive mucus production.
- A deep urge to cry, yet unable to due to grief.
Clinical Indications:
- Stomach cancer.
ASAFOETIDA
- Only slime is expelled; no solid stool.
- Sensation of a lump rising in the throat, causing breathing difficulties.
- Partially swallowed food regurgitates into the mouth.
ASARUM EUROPAEUM
Specifics:
- Strings of odorless yellow mucus expelled from the bowels.
General Symptoms:
- Craving for alcoholic beverages.
- Nausea, worsened after eating.
- Sensitivity to the sound of scratching on silk, linen, or paper.
- Relief from symptoms through cold baths and damp weather.
BOLETUS LARICIS
- Persistent dragging pain in the liver, predominantly in the right lobe.
- Associated with intermittent fever occurring daily.
CAPSICUM ANNUM
Specifics:
- Dysentery worsens in humid weather and exposure to air currents, even warm ones.
- Severe tenesmus of the rectum and bladder simultaneously (similar to Merc. cor.).
- Burning sensation at the anus and drawing pain in the back after stool.
- Drinking causes shivering; stool follows consumption of liquids.
CANTHARIDES
- Stool contains white or pale reddish mucus resembling intestinal scrapings.
- Severe tenesmus in the rectum.
CARBOLIC ACID
Specifics:
- Bloody, mucous-filled stools resembling intestinal lining scrapings.
- Tenderness in the transverse colon.
General Symptoms:
- Dry tongue coated in thick yellow fur.
CHAPARRO AMORGOSO
- Liver tenderness.
- Stool contains abundant mucus but little pain.
CINCHONA OFFICINALIS
- Chocolate-colored stool with a putrid odor.
CISTUS CANADENSIS
- Chronic dysentery treatment.
COLOCYNTHIS
- Symptoms worsen with minimal movement.
- Dysentery reoccurs after the slightest intake of food or drink.
- Complements Mercurius in cases of dysentery with pronounced tenesmus.
CORNUS CIRCINATA
Specifics:
- Symptoms improve after passing offensive gas.
General Symptoms:
- Sunken facial appearance with a look of exhaustion and dullness.
- Head heaviness, especially in the temples, relieved by coffee.
CUBEBA
Specifics:
- Yellow mucus in stool with shiny white particles resembling rice grains.
- Abdominal pain eases with movement.
General Symptoms:
- Craving for delicacies, oranges, and acidic fruits.
- Intense thirst, dry mouth, yet moistened by oily saliva.
DIOSCOREA
- Severe sacral pain before and during stool, spreading throughout the body into spasms.
- Stool gives the sensation of being hot, with near fainting episodes.
ELATERIUM
- Profuse and frequent watery stools.
- Conditions linked to suppressed malaria, such as beriberi, urticaria, and mental disturbances.
- Uncontrollable nighttime wandering.
- Effective in treating certain forms of dropsy.
ERIGERON
Specifics:
- Dysentery with a burning sensation anywhere in the digestive tract.
- Extreme tenesmus and frequent blood-streaked stools.
- Diarrhea worsens with even the slightest movement.
Clinical Indications:
- Uterine hemorrhage with rectal and bladder irritation post-abortion.
- Severe urinary discomfort or suppressed urination.
KALI CHLORICUM
- Described by Allen as highly effective for dysentery with excruciating knife-like pains, severe tenesmus, nearly pure blood evacuations, and extreme weakness.
KALI BICHROMICUM
- After Cantharis resolves stool resembling intestinal scrapings, it may transform into jelly-like and stringy consistency.
MURIATIC ACID
Specifics:
- Dysentery with separated blood and mucus.
- Urgent need for stool upon movement; profuse, dark brown, gelatinous stools.
General Symptoms:
- Severe fatigue and drowsiness, prefers lying down all day.
OPUNTIA
- Sensation of abdominal discomfort as though the bowels are sinking.
- More frequent bowel movements with urgent need for evacuation.
RHUS GLABRA
Specifics:
- Traditionally used for diarrhea and dysentery, particularly with offensive discharges.
General Symptoms:
- Recurrent dreams of flying.
- Severe weakness similar to that seen in China, often with profuse sweating.
Clinical Indications:
- Used for chronic wheezing coughs.
- Occipital headaches upon waking, alleviated by exercise, sometimes with nosebleeds.
RHUS TOXICODENDRON
- Pain radiating down the thigh during stool.
- Bloody stool resembling beef-wash water.
SILPHIUM LACINATUM
- Dysentery preceded by constipation with mucus-covered stools.
- Persistent cough with frothy, stringy expectoration.
- Mucus congestion worsens with air drafts.
TANACETUM VULGARE
Specifics:
- Rectal pain relieved by passing stool.
- Urge for stool immediately after eating.
General Symptoms:
- Overwhelming fatigue mixed with nervousness.
Clinical Indications:
- Traditionally used for abortion-inducing purposes.
TROMBIDIUM
Specifics:
- Dysentery symptoms worsen after eating or drinking.
- Intense pain before and after stool.
- Sharp pain in the left side shooting downward during stool.
Case Study:
- Patient experiences severe intestinal pain post-dinner, relieved only after multiple bowel movements.
ZINGIBER OFFICINALIS
- Brown mucus in stool caused by consuming contaminated water.
Discussion on Lesser-Known Remedies
Lesser-Known Indian Remedies
ATISTA RADIX
- Autumnal dysentery accompanied by worms and flatulence.
- Blood-streaked stool with severe pain around the navel.
CLERODENDRON INFORTUNATUM
- Frothy stool, nausea, and excessive salivation.
- Enlarged liver and spleen with fever, worsening in the afternoon.
HOLARRHENA ANTIDYSENTERICA
- Dysentery associated with weakness and loss of appetite.
- More mucus than blood in stool.
Therapeutic Insights from Experts
JAHR’S GUIDELINES
- In cases of dysentery with high fever, headache, and limb pain, Aconite is highly effective and often resolves symptoms within two to three days.
- If Aconite does not suffice, Mercurius vivus is recommended, particularly when stools contain bloody mucus, accompanied by severe urging and colicky pain.
- If no improvement occurs and vomiting of blood appears, Ipecacuanha is advised.
- Belladonna is useful when bloody stools are accompanied by sharp abdominal pain.
- If colic is spasmodic, with primarily bloody mucus evacuations, Colocynthis is suggested.
- If Colocynthis does not show results within 24 hours, Staphysagria is used, which has proven more effective than alternating Colocynthis and Staphysagria, as suggested by Hering.
DEWEY’S GUIDELINES
- In early dysentery stages, Aconite is beneficial, particularly when warm days contrast with cold nights.
- Stools are frequent, scanty, and accompanied by tenesmus, with hot and dry skin.
COWPERTHWAITE’S GUIDELINES
- Belladonna 3x is particularly suitable for dysentery in children and robust young individuals.
- It is often the sole remedy required for severe cases of infantile dysentery.
Conclusion
Mucous colitis is a chronic but manageable condition. Homeopathic treatment offers a personalized approach, addressing both physical and psychological aspects of the disorder. Understanding the underlying nervous and dietary influences can significantly improve outcomes.
For further guidance, visit Allen College of Homeopathy or explore Dr. Saptarshi Banerjea’s expertise in holistic treatments.
