Ulcerative colitis is categorized under the broader term inflammatory bowel disease. An ulcer is a lesion or sore that does not heal on its own. These types of sores form on the lining of the intestines, specifically in the rectum and colon, to create the condition of ulcerative colitis. The National Institutes of Health reports that many cases, which occur in people aged 15 to 30 most often, are hereditary. The Mayo Clinic states it can cause life-threatening conditions if left untreated, but there is no cure.
Bleeding
The most common symptom of ulcerative colitis in its several forms is bleeding. This may be different depending upon which type of the disease you have. For example, if you suffer from ulcerative proctitis, you may bleed from your rectum. This, the Mayo Clinic reports, is the mildest form of the disease. Diarrhea or loose stools that contain blood can be a symptom of several types of the disease, including pancolitis that takes place in the entirety of the colon, left-sided colitis that occurs on just that side of your rectum and colon, and proctosigmoiditis that primarily affects the colon's lower end and the rectum. There are other potential causes for diarrhea that contains blood.
Pain and Cramps
Pain can occur from all forms of ulcerative colitis. It may occur just in the rectum with ulcerative proctitis. For other forms of the disease, pain and cramps may affect your abdominal area. Left-sided colitis causes pain and cramps in the left side of your abdomen. The most severe pain can occur if you have the rarest form of the disease called fulminant colitis. This condition can be life-threatening because it affects all of your colon.
Weight Loss
Two forms of colitis---left-sided colitis and pancolitis---can cause you to lose weight. Left-sided colitis can make you lose weight even when you are not trying to do so. Pancolitis can cause weight loss that is significant, the Mayo Clinic notes.
Body Symptoms
Ulcerative proctitis has been known to induct a problem in which you cannot make a bowel movement despite an urgent need to do so. This condition is called tenesmus. Proctosigmoiditis also can produce this effect. Pancolitis may make you feel an overall weakness in your body commonly known as fatigue. The most significant other symptoms associated with fulminant colitis include shock, intense diarrhea and dehydration.
