Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms
There are a wide range of symptoms with ulcerative colitis and they can
vary
greatly between patients, this is primarily dependent on the amount of
the colon and rectum that is suffering from inflammation.
Those with only the rectum and a small amount of the colon affected
generally experience milder symptoms then when the entire colon
is involved.
Approximately 50% of those suffering from ulcerative colitis experience
relatively mild symptoms. The other 50% may have severe
symptoms
including bloody diarrhea, cramping, nausea, and fever. Like
Crohn’s disease the symptoms of ulcerative colitis can come
and go. The symptom free periods, called remission, can last
for months or several years but eventually
return. This
unpredictable nature makes it sometimes difficult for doctors to
diagnose.
Ulcerative colitis is classified by its location. There are
symptoms associated with each of the four classifications:
Ulcerative Proctitis
Inflammation is confined to the rectum. For many people the
only symptom is rectal bleeding, other may also have rectal
pain. This pain is described as a feeling of urgency or the
inability to defecate even with the urge to do so.
A small percentage of those with ulcerative proctitis will develop more
server symptoms.
Left-sided Colitis
Inflammation begins from the rectum extending up the left side through
the sigmoid and descending colon. Symptoms can include bloody
diarrhea with cramping and abdominal pain. Some
patients experience weight loss or loss of appetite.
Pancolitis
Pancolitis affects the entire colon which can cause bloody diarrhea,
sometimes severe. The diarrhea may be accompanied with
abdominal cramping and pain. Another common symptom
of pancolitis is weight loss, night sweats and fatigue.
Fulminant Colitis
A rare form of ulcerative colitis, fulminant colitis can be life
threatening and affects the entire colon. Symptoms include
diarrhea and severe abdominal pain. Occasionally patients can
experience dehydration or even shock.