Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms

What Are Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms?

The symptoms of ulcerative a3-

colitis tend to vary from person to person.[¹] The symptoms of ulcerative colitis may be constant or recurring and may include;

Diarrhea
Abdominal cramps
Weight loss without trying
Blood during bowel movements

Types of Ulcerative Colitis

Educating yourself on the different types of ulcerative colitis will be beneficial in order to diagnose and treat the medical condition. There are several types of ulcerative colitis, which all vary in terms of symptoms.

Extensive Colitis

In this type, the entire colon is affected, which results in inflammation in the colon that is continuous. The inflammation tends to start at the rectum and extend all the way to the splenic flexure. Common symptoms of extensive colitis include;

Unexplained weight loss
Abdominal cramps
Bloody stool
Loss of appetite

Left-Sided Colitis

This is when the continuous inflammation starts at the rectum and enters the splenic flexure or the bend in the colon. Left-sided colitis affects not only the rectum but also the lower part of the colon that is located just above the rectum. Common symptoms include;

Weight loss
Pain in the left side abdomen
Loss of appetite

Ulcerative Proctitis

This type of ulcerative colitis only occurs in the rectum and affects six inches of the rectum.[2] This type of colitis is also considered to increase one’s risk of cancer. Common symptoms of ulcerative proctitis include;

Urgency in bowel movements
Pain in the rectum
Rectal bleeding

How Is Ulcerative Colitis diagnosed?

Ulcerative colitis is diagnosed with the help of a tissue biopsy. This is considered to be the only way to get the right diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. Other types of testing include a colonoscopy and a CT scan, which help rule out other forms of colon disease.[³] Blood and stool tests may also be performed.

Ulcerative Colitis staging

There are three main stages of ulcerative colitis.[⁴] These include the following;

Mild – which has fewer than five episodes in a day
Moderate – this has more than five episodes in a day
Severe – This is when there are more than six episodes a day

Is Ulcerative Colitis hereditary?

It seems that hereditary may be one of the factors behind getting ulcerative colitis. Those who have a close relative who has been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis are at a higher risk of developing the disease as compared to others. Recently, researchers have been able to identify several genes that are likely to develop into ulcerative colitis.[⁵]

Ulcerative Colitis symptoms

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease where the symptoms may range from mild to severe.[⁶] The treatment of the condition depends on the severity of the symptoms. Common ulcerative colitis symptoms include;

Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Rectal pain
Malnutrition
Increased abdominal sounds

What are the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis?

Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis could include:

Fever
Joint pain
Mouth sores
Skin allergies
Nausea
A decrease in appetite

What Are Some Signs of Ulcerative Colitis?

As mentioned, signs refer to clinical manifestations, something that could be noticed during medical tests or examinations. Some early signs of ulcerative Colitis could include:

An inability to defecate
Fatigue
Rectal bleeding
Diarrhea
Pus in stool
An urgency to defecate

Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis in women vs. symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis in men

In women, ulcerative colitis could lead to sexual and reproductive problems in females.[⁷] Other symptoms in women include;

Loss of appetitive
Unexplained weight loss
Fatigue
Abdominal cramps
In men, ulcerative colitis symptoms include;
Diarrhea with pus or blood
Fatigue
Inability to defecate
Rectal pain

Risk factors for Ulcerative Colitis

There are risk factors that are associated with ulcerative colitis. These risk factors are:

Age – Age-related ulcerative colitis is a common medical condition. This usually starts before the age 30, but it could happen at any age.[⁸]
Family History – Researchers have found some correlation between family history and the development of ulcerative colitis.
Race (ethnicity) – Caucasians are at a higher risk of developing ulcerative colitis. But that’s not the only factor that may lead to ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative Colitis prevention

While ulcerative colitis may be hereditary, there are some preventive measures that can be taken to reduce one’s chances of getting diagnosed with the disease. Some of the common preventive measures for ulcerative colitis include;

Eating smaller meals
Keeping a food diary
Drinking plenty of water
Avoiding a high-fiber diet
Avoiding carbonated drinks

Ulcerative Colitis prognosis and treatment

The prognosis for Ulcerative Colitis is highly dependent on the stage and type of Ulcerative Colitis. In general, Ulcerative Colitis cancers caught at earlier stages (stage 0/in situ, stage 1) have a better outlook. If the cancer has metastasized, treatment is more difficult, but it is important to maintain hope. According to studies, around 10% of patients get better after a single attack.[⁹] That said, regular flare-ups are common in many individuals who have been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. It is also possible for an individual to not show any symptoms for up to a year, which is known as remission. Not having flare-ups has been associated with better health.

Ulcerative Colitis survival rate

The good news is that the survival rate or life expectancy of someone who has been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis is the same as someone who has not been diagnosed with the condition. It is important to get the right medical prognosis and care in order to avoid developing any complications, some of which could be life-threatening. According to research, the 10-year survival rate was 91%. [¹⁰]

Ulcerative Colitis treatment options

Aminosalicylates, or 5-ASAs are a medication that can help reduce inflammation in ulcerative colitis. This gives time to heal the damaged tissue of the colon. This is usually the first line of treatment when an individual has been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.[11] There are multiple other treatment options that one can choose from;

Surgery – While most patients of ulcerative colitis do not require any surgery, sometimes it may be necessary to remove parts of the colon. This is only recommended when the individual is experiencing severe bleeding or is weak after repeated flare-ups, or has a hole in the colon.
Hospitalization – This is usually required when the symptoms are severe, and the individual is in need of special care. This is normally considered if the patient has lost a lot of blood due to internal bleeding or is unable to stop diarrhea. In the hospital, the patient who has been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis will be given an IV feeding, along with medications and a special diet to help restore their strength while healing the colon.
Medications – Medication is used to reduce the inflammation and swelling in the colon. The type of medication that is administered to the patient will depend on the severity of the symptoms and the type of ulcerative colitis. In many cases, the use of steroids is considered to be a good option for long-term treatment.

Conclusion

The doctor will require a full medical history before treating the patient for ulcerative colitis. It is recommended to take a full physical exam along with blood tests and stool tests, and a CT scan or colonoscopy in order to determine if the patient does have ulcerative colitis. With a quick diagnosis and the right treatment, it is possible to live a full and healthy life despite having UC.

Takeaway

It is imperative to keep one’s colon healthy by leading a healthy lifestyle that includes having a balanced diet, exercise, and staying away from certain foods such as processed foods and fizzy drinks, which can all increase one’s chances of developing ulcerative colitis.