Common Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis

Have you wondered what symptoms may be experienced when suffering from ulcerative colitis? Diarrhea is the most common sign. People with ulcerative colitis may need as many as 20 trips to the restroom in a day. There are even instances when the patient will have the urge to go to the restroom in the middle of the night, waking from sleep to answer the call of nature.

In addition to rectal urgency, bleeding from the anus is another usual occurrence for people suffering from ulcerative colitis. The patient may experience rectal pain in addition to producing bloody diarrhea and mucus.

Tummy pain experienced by people with ulcerative colitis is distinct from the sensation thats just ordinary stomach ache due to gas. Here, the pain is described as cramping.

Constipation may also arise in patients with ulcerative colitis. The symptom, however, is less common compared to diarrhea.

Fever, loss of appetite and abrupt weight loss are other indicators of ulcerative colitis. In the case of weight loss, this may be caused by diarrhea. Anemia is another common symptom of ulcerative colitis, which results from low levels of iron due to bloody stools or intestinal inflammation.

Other conditions with similar symptoms as ulcerative colitis include IBS (irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, Crohns disease and colon cancer.

Medication can relieve symptoms such as pain or discomfort. It also contributes to healing of damaged tissues or cancels the need for surgery. Medicine treatments may include steroid medications to ease the intestinal inflammation or put the disease in remission.

In severe cases of ulcerative colitis, stronger treatment may be required. This includes intravenous corticosteroids, cyclosporine and biologics.