Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms

ULCERATIVE COLITIS

DESCRIPTION

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in your digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis affects the innermost lining of your large intestine and rectum. Symptoms usually develop over time, rather than suddenly.

Symptoms –

Diarrhea

Abdominal pain or cramping

Rectal pain

Rectal bleeding

Urgency to defecate

Inability to defecate despite urgency

Weight loss

Fatigue

Fever

Risk factors –

Older age

Family history

Whites have the highest risk

Diagnosis and test –

Blood test

Stool studies

Colonoscopy

Flexible sigmoidoscopy

X-ray

CT scan

MRI

Treatment –

Anti-inflammatory drugs

Immune system suppressors

Biologics

Other medications

Surgery