Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease, which affects the large intestine, specifically the colon causing inflammations to appear on the intestinal walls. The ulcers and sores that appear in the intestinal column mark the presence of ulcerative colitis in the intestines.

What are the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis?

· Blood in stools and the rectal examination – The gradual onset of Ulcerative colitis causes patients to pass loose stools almost as in the case of a diarrheic patient with the stools showing blood traces in the stools. In some cases, mucus is also found in the stool samples along with traces of blood. The rectal examination diagnoses the presence of blood in the rectum, which is one of the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis.

· Weight Loss – Most patients suffering from ulcerative colitis have noticed a sudden weight loss in them. Doctors have attributed this phenomena to the reduction in food intake due to appetite loss that diet occurs with the onset of ulcerative colitis.

· Mouth ulcers – When you observe an ulcer in your mouth, chances are that you could possibly be suffering from ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis impacts the intestinal walls the most but it is also an extra-intestinal disease which goes on to affect other parts of the body as well.

· Eye infection – Many doctors who have diagnosed patients for ulcerative colitis have come up with the theory that ulcerative colitis can cause damage to the eyes. Commonly, this form of colitis impacts the iris causing Iritis.

· Musculoskeletal Disorders – Several Musculoskeletal disorders are observed in patients suffering from Ulcerative Colitis. Some patients have presented with large joint arthritis affecting one or more joints, while others present with arthritis that impacts the normal functioning of the small joints of the hand and feet. Still other patients suffering from Ulcerative colitis have shown symptoms of arthritis of the lower spine.

· Skin Disorders – Patients can be diagnosed with inflammation of subcutaneous tissue. This disorder is known as Erythema Nodosum and is one of the symptoms of patients suffering from Ulcerative Colitis.

Other symptoms like Deep Venous Thrombosis, Hemolytic Anemia, Sclerosing Colangitis etc mean that almost all the parts of the body have been impacted due to Ulcerative Colitis. The fact that any of these symptoms would increase with the severity of the disease, is cause to neither disregard its symptoms or treat them casually. As Ulcerative Colitis has three stages, it is imperative that the patient is diagnosed for ulcerative colitis right at the time it has onset in the body system.

Although diet is what is usually the first thing discussed when ulcerative colitis symptoms first present themselves, a stressful lifestyle should also be carefully given consideration, and steps be taken to reduce a sufferers stress levels, which could be as simple as learning relaxation techniques.

Colitis |