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Contents
  • Digestive Symptoms
  • Systemic Symptoms
  • Extraintestinal Manifestations

Recognizing the Signs: Key Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis

Recognizing the Signs: Key Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis

Red Flags to Watch For

Ulcerative colitis can cause a range of digestive and systemic symptoms. Recognizing these signs is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment.
Contents
  • Digestive Symptoms
  • Systemic Symptoms
  • Extraintestinal Manifestations

Digestive Symptoms

The hallmark symptoms of ulcerative colitis are diarrhea and rectal bleeding. Patients often experience frequent, loose stools that may contain blood, mucus, or pus. Abdominal pain, especially in the lower left side, is common. Many also feel an urgent need to have a bowel movement and may have tenesmus - a sensation of incomplete evacuation.

Systemic Symptoms

As ulcerative colitis is a systemic inflammatory condition, it can cause symptoms beyond the digestive tract. These may include fatigue, fever, and unintended weight loss. Some patients experience a loss of appetite or nausea. In severe cases, rapid heart rate and anemia due to blood loss can occur.
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease causing digestive symptoms such as diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and abdominal pain, along with systemic symptoms like fatigue and weight loss.

Extraintestinal Manifestations

Ulcerative colitis can affect other parts of the body. Some patients develop joint pain or arthritis, especially in large joints like knees or elbows. Eye inflammation, skin rashes, and liver problems are also possible. These symptoms may come and go along with intestinal flares or occur independently.

FAQs

Is rectal bleeding always present?

No, but it's common and a key sign to discuss with a doctor.

Can symptoms come and go?

Yes, ulcerative colitis often has periods of flares and remission.

Are symptoms different in children?

Children may also have growth delays and delayed puberty.

When to Seek Help

If you experience persistent diarrhea, especially with blood, or any combination of these symptoms, it's important to consult a healthcare provider for proper evaluation.
Not sure if your symptoms match ulcerative colitis? Chat with Doctronic to review your concerns and get guidance on next steps.
Additional References
  1. Langholz E, et al. Course of ulcerative colitis: analysis of changes in disease activity over years. Gastroenterology 1994; 107:3.
  2. Monsén U, et al. Extracolonic diagnoses in ulcerative colitis: an epidemiological study. Am J Gastroenterol 1990; 85:711.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.