1. Recognize Diarrhea as a Main Symptom
Diarrhea can be a symptom of any number of digestive ailments and inflammatory bowel diseases, including ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis occurs when ulcers (open sores) appear on the lining of your colon--and, in some people, the rectum. You may notice blood in your stool as well if your ulcers are bleeding. Call your doctor if you have diarrhea for more than a few days and it doesn't respond to over-the-counter medications or a bland diet.
2. Monitor Pain
Abdominal pain and cramping are common in people who have ulcerative colitis. If you have ulcerative proctitis, a form of the inflammatory bowel disease that affects only your rectum, you may also have rectal pain when trying to produce a bowel movement. For reasons that are not yet understood, sufferers of ulcerative colitis can also experience joint pain and inflammation in their eyes that can cause discomfort. Detail your various aches and pains in a journal you can bring to your doctor's appointments. Though your complaints may strike you as unrelated, there is a chance that all of the evidence points to one disease.
3. Recognize Secondary Symptoms
The diarrhea and blood loss that are consistent with ulcerative colitis and other colon disorders may produce a number of secondary symptoms that can be potentially dangerous to your health. Dehydration is a real danger any time you have frequent diarrhea, and is a frequent symptom of ulcerative colitis. You may find you've lost a lot of weight and are becoming malnourished. The loss of blood can lead to anemia and subsequently feeling more tired that usual. As you are going through the various tests used to diagnose colitis, try to drink as much water as possible (or as advised by your doctor) to combat dehydration and fatigue.
