Re: mucoid plaque: true or not true?

There is much debate on the reality of mucoid plaque. I believe that it can exist.

I don't believe it is present in everyone as the black, rubbery compound described repeatedly. I believe that certain conditions must exist to transform mucus build up into mucoid plaque. Perhaps exposure to oxygen or another substance could stimulate the change, which could explain why people using Bowel Cleanses often have mucoid plaque as we know it. Most cleanses help increase oxygen in the bowels in one way or another. It may even be this transformation of the mucus buildup into the tough, black, rubbery material that allows the natural functions of the GI tract to push it out. After all, while it was soft, it likely moved in sync with the peristalsis of the colon wall, and remained in its sticky, mucus form which would help it stay stuck to the colon wall.

Many passages by specialists in the bowel cleansing field mention build up in the intestinal tract in addition to inflammation of the GI tract that can be several inches. Few state the initial description of this mucus build up to be black and rubbery, and then there is no way of knowing how long the lining or organ was exposed to air before a thorough exam of the organ was done. Also, during certain illnesses, patients are often given laxatives or other drugs as part of their treatments or before certain types of tests. This could also affect the appearance of the mucus buildup by the time of autopsy.

And as far as suggestions that colonoscopies do not pic up this substance, that could be related to the lack of adequate oxygen/other substance exposure before the test or the mucus buildup/mucoid plaque could actually be lining the small intestine and not the large, an area that the colonoscopy does not cover. And most endoscopies do not venture far along the 20+ feet of the small intestine.

So, the possibility exists. What is most important is moving stagnant matter out of the body as soon as possible. And if you happen to dump some mucoid plaque along the way, all the better. Tweet