Ulcerative Colitis: Symptoms

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic long-term disease that causes colon inflammation. It is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that has some similarities to Crohn's disease, in which both conditions are characterized by inflammation, which is not caused by infection.

Symptoms of ulcerative colitis are unpleasant and usually occur when the patient has a flare up, but they can usually be treated in a number of different ways including medication and dietary changes. Even if the symptoms are severe enough to be ineffective, surgery may be necessary to remove the intestinal tract. Common symptoms of ulcerative colitis usually include rectal bleeding and diarrhea, but there are various symptoms in patients with this disease.

Since diarrhea is a common symptom, patients may also find it necessary to have bowel movements and may have diarrhea up to 10 to 20 times a day. This impulse can be so desperate that it can awaken the patient at night. Rectal bleeding is caused by a ulcer located in the intestine, which is disturbed by the stool when it passes through the colon. When the ulcer is disturbed, they expel the blood thus causing bleeding and mucus diarrhea; it can also cause the patient to have rectal pain.

Due to constant diarrhea, other symptoms may include growth failure, dehydration, anemia and joint pain. Growth and dehydration failure occurs when patients have a lack of nutrients and fluids in their body; This is usually caused by persistent diarrhea. Anemia occurs only when there is blood in the excreted stool, thus causing a low iron count. This can be treated by taking iron tablets and eating red meat.

It is also important to note that the patient's stomach may feel soft and painful when touched; this is caused by an ulcer. Doctors will usually test to see if the stomach is soft during examination as a way to assess the severity of the scab. Although ulcerative colitis is incurable, doctors can control and treat these symptoms through the use of steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs. Steroids are effective in moving remittances, but they deteriorate after the disease becomes remission.

Also, it is very important to know when seeing your doctor. If you experience ongoing changes in your bowel habits or if you have any signs and symptoms of ulcerative colitis, including,

• Stomachache

• Blood in your stool

• Persistent diarrhea that does not respond to over-the-counter (OTC) drugs

• Fever that cannot be explained for more than a day or two

So it's important that you see your doctor as soon as possible.

For more information on ulcerative colitis including causes, diet, pregnancy, risk factors and treatment, please visit Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis and more.

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