The first symptom is a progressive loosening of the feces. The patient may have crampy abdominal pain with a severe urge to have a bowel movement. Diarrhea may begin slowly or suddenly. Symptoms vary according to how much of the colon is affected and how inflamed it is.
The most common symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloody diarrhea with mucus
The following symptoms are also possible:
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Anemia
- Elevated temperature
- Dehydration
- Tenesmus (wanting to empty the bowels constantly)
- Most patients report worse symptoms early in the morning.
Pictures & Images
Colonoscopy
Review Date : 10/18/
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Ulcerative colitis: Overview, Causes
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Ulcerative colitis: Symptoms & Signs
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Ulcerative colitis: Treatment
2009
Reviewed By : David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and George F Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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