Ulcerative Colitis: Symptoms & Signs

Symptoms of ulcerative colitis vary among affected individuals. Typical symptoms include

• abdominal pain,
• diarrhea, and
• rectal bleeding.

Depending upon the degree of inflammation and the location of the inflammation within the colon, other signs and symptoms can occur. Rectal pain, a sense of urgency in needing to defecate, and tenesmus (ineffective and painful urge to defecate) are symptoms of rectal involvement. Weight loss, fever, night sweats, fatigue, and dehydration are all possible symptoms and signs of ulcerative colitis.

Causes of ulcerative colitis

The cause of ulcerative colitis is unknown. It is thought to be related to abnormal activation of the immune system in the intestines.

Other ulcerative colitis symptoms and signs

• Abdominal Cramping
• Abdominal Pain
• Anemia
• Blood in Stool
• Dehydration
• Diarrhea
• Eye Irritation
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Growth Delay (in Children)
• Joint Pain
• Loss of Appetite
• Nausea
• Night Sweats
• Rectal Bleeding
• Rectal Pain
• Rectal Urgency
• Tenesmus
• Weight Loss

United States. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. "Ulcerative Colitis." September 2014. <http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colitis/>.

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