What are the Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis?
Common signs and symptoms of ulcerative colitis include rectal bleeding and diarrhea, but there's an array of signs and symptoms among patients with this particular disease. Variability of signs and symptoms reflects variations within the extent of disease (the quantity of the colon and rectum which are inflamed) and also the concentration of inflammation. Generally, patients with inflammation limited towards the rectum along with a short segment from the colon next to the rectum have milder signs and symptoms along with a better prognosis than patients with increased common inflammation from the colon. The various kinds of ulcerative colitis are classified based on the location and also the extent of inflammation:
1. Ulcerative proctitis describes inflammation that's restricted to the rectum. In several patients with ulcerative proctitis, mild intermittent rectal bleeding might be the only real symptom. Other patients with increased severe rectal inflammation may, additionally, experience rectal discomfort, emergency and tenesmus.
2. Proctosigmoiditis involves inflammation of the rectum and the sigmoid colon (a short segment of the colon contiguous to the rectum). Symptoms of proctosigmoiditis, like that of proctitis, include rectal bleeding, urgency, and tenesmus. Some patients with proctosigmoiditis also develop bloody diarrhea and cramps.
3. Left-on the sides colitis involves inflammation that begins in the rectum and stretches in the left colon. Signs and symptoms of left-on the sides colitis include bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, weight reduction, and left-on the sides abdominal discomfort.
4. Pancolitis or universal colitis describes inflammation affecting the whole colon. Signs and symptoms of pancolitis include bloody diarrhea, abdominal discomfort and cramps, weight reduction, fatigue, fever, and evening sweats. Some patients with pancolitis have low-grade inflammation and mild signs and symptoms that respond readily to medicines. Generally, however, patients with pancolitis suffer worse disease and therefore are harder to deal with than individuals with increased limited types of ulcerative colitis.
5. Fulminant colitis is really a rare but severe type of pancolitis. Patients with fulminant colitis are very ill with lack of fluids, severe abdominal discomfort, protracted diarrhea with bleeding, as well as shock. They're vulnerable to developing toxic megacolon (marked dilatation from the colon because of severe inflammation) and colon rupture (perforation). Patients with fulminant colitis and toxic megacolon are treated within the hospital with potent intravenous medicines. Unless of course they react to treatment quickly, surgery from the unhealthy colon is essential to avoid colon rupture.
