Colitis is a chronic medical condition caused by severe inflammation of the lining of the intestine or digestive tract. There are two predominate type of colitis: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, collectively referred to as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Many people are able to control the symptoms associated with IBD through diet management, which leads to remission of symptoms. However, stress, certain foods or medications may lead to the reemergence of symptoms, an episode referred to as a colitis flare-up.
Abdominal Pain
Colitis flare-up symptoms may include mild to severe abdominal pain in some people. Inflammation of the digestive or intestinal tract can cause severe irritation or swelling. Excess gas within the intestine can lead to cramping or bloating within the stomach or abdomen, which can cause pain and discomfort in certain people with colitis. The type of abdominal pain experienced may vary by person and can be a dull, achy or sharp sensation. Certain people may also experience nausea or stomach upset resulting from this abdominal pain.
Constipation
Certain people with colitis may develop constipation during a symptom flare-up. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse describes constipation as a medical condition that causes difficult-to-pass, hard or infrequent bowel movements. People who develop constipation may experience intestinal cramping or straining while attempting to pass a bowel movement. Certain people may be unable to pass a stool at all; others may only be able to excrete a small amount of stool. If the body can't eliminate this waste, it begins to build up in the intestinal tract. If this occurs, additional symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, discomfort or stomach upset may also develop.
Diarrhea
Though some people with colitis experience constipation, others may develop diarrhea. Diarrhea causes frequent, watery or loss stool production. If you develop symptoms of diarrhea during your colitis flare-up, you may experience an uncontrollable or urgent need to pass a bowel movement. Diarrhea symptoms can vary in severity from mild to severe. During a colitis flare-up, you may also notice blood or mucus in your stool. Frequent diarrhea may also cause loss of appetite or weight loss in some people with colitis. Colitis flare-up may also cause certain people to alternate between symptoms of constipation and diarrhea, which can contribute to abdominal pain and fatigue.
