Symptoms Of Ulcerative Colitis

The most common symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis or UC are rectal bleeding and diarrhea. There are also others as well that vary with the severity of the disease.

How much one’s colon and rectum is affected by the afflication indicates how many symptoms they may have. Those who have inflammation in the rectum most commonly have shorter and milder forms of inflammation. Whereas, those with inflammation in the colon and rectum can suffer for longer periods of time and their symptoms can be more severe.

Some symptoms other than those that are gastrointestinal can be eye inflammation, joint pain, skin rash, and mouth lesions. These include Conjunctivitis or “pink eye,” an inflammation of tissue that covers the eye and inside of eyelid. Peripheral arthritis, which although does not cause permanent damage to joints is painful and can be treated when the condition is. Also, skin conditions such as Erythema nodosum, which is a skin condition that can cause during flare-ups. It causes painful red nodules on the arms and lower legs and most often occurs in women rather than men. There are several types of Ulcerative Colitis depending on where the disease is located. Ulcerative proctitis is that which is just in the rectum. Its symptoms are milder with rectal bleeding and feeling of needing to go to the bathroom.

Proctosigmoiditis is inflammation of the rectum and sigmoid or lower part of the colon. The symptoms include rectal bleeding and a need to go to the bathroom. In addition, some who has this kind can have bloody stool and cramps. Left-sided colitis is inflammation that begins in the rectum and goes up to the left side of the colon which includes the sigmoid and descending colon. The symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, weight loss, and pain on the left side.

Pancolitis is inflammation that affects the entire colon which includes the sigmoid, right, left, transverse colon, and rectum. For those who have this, the symptoms include bloody stools, abdominal cramps, weight loss, fatigue, fever, and night sweats. Some who have it have a low-grade fever that is easily treated with medications.

Fulminant colitis is a rare form of pancolits that is very serious. Those who have it can get dehydration, severe abdominal pain, diarrhea and bleeding, and shock. Those who have this form can get toxic mega colon which can lead to colon rupture. Many who have this form have to be treated with intravenous medications and may require surgery, sometimes even removal of the colon.

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