Ulcerative colitis, classified as an inflammatory bowel disease, affects the large intestine, also known as the colon, causing inflammation and the formation of ulcers on the innermost lining of the colon. Unlike other inflammatory bowel diseases, ulcerative colitis produces continuous inflammation, leaving no healthy tissue between areas of inflammation and does not affect the entire thickness of the intestinal wall, according to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. Ulcerative colitis produces chronic non-specific symptoms making it difficult to differentiate from other chronic bowel diseases.
Fatigue
Fatigue, the feeling of extreme tiredness even after periods of rest, can indicate the presence of many types of diseases. Lung diseases cause fatigue due to a lack of oxygen. Heart and blood vessel diseases cause fatigue due to a lack of red blood cells to carry the oxygen or the inability of the heart to pump oxygenated blood effectively. Digestive diseases, including ulcerative colitis, cause fatigue by interfering with the intake of food particles or the absorption of nutrients through the wall of the small intestine. Ulcerative colitis causes a loss of appetite that leads to weight loss and fatigue.
Anemia
Ulcerative colitis begins as inflammation of the mucosal lining of the large intestine. The inflammation causes tiny sore, or ulcers, to develop. These ulcers can bleed as well as produce pus or mucus. Excessive bleeding due to the ulcers in the colon can lead to anemia—a low number of red blood cells in the blood.
Anemia can occur due to many diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, human immunodeficiency virus, cancer and Crohn’s disease. Determining the cause of the anemia requires doctors and patients to observe all the symptoms. The presence of bloody diarrhea along with anemia can indicate a disease affecting the digestive tract and prompt the use of diagnostic tests such as a colonoscopy to provide a diagnosis.
Chronic Diarrhea
Diarrhea, loose watery stools, occurs from time to time due to a number of issues including bacterial or viral infections. Chronic diarrhea, a common feature of chronic digestive diseases, can cause additional complications such as dehydration.
The first noticeable symptom of ulcerative colitis is the progressive loosening of the stool, according to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. The inflammation in the colon interferes with the absorption of excess water, therefore resulting in diarrhea. Many patients experience feeling of severe urgency prior to bowel movements as well as bloody diarrhea.
Abdominal Pain
Because so many organs reside in the abdominal region, abdominal pain can occur due to many different types of conditions. Digestive diseases commonly cause abdominal pain as well as diseases affecting the kidneys, spleen, appendix and the heart. Any abdominal pain should be taken seriously as the intensity of the abdominal pain does not always reflect the seriousness of the disease, according to MedLine Plus and the National Institutes of Health. Ulcerative colitis causes chronic crampy abdominal pain that ranges from mild to severe.
