Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease, which results in inflammation of colon and rectum. Abdominal pain and diarrhea mixed with blood are its primary symptoms, along with which weight loss, fever and anemia may also occur. It is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD is a group of diseases that affect gastrointestinal tract. When the lining of large intestine is inflamed, it produces tiny sores called ulcers. Beginning at the rectum, ulcers usually spread upwards, rarely affecting the small intestine and the lower portion. Due to such inflammation, the bowel and its contents move rapidly and the bowel empties frequently, due to which the cells, on the surface of the lining of bowel, die. The ulcers then cause bleeding and discharge of mucus and pus. This disease affects people of all ages. However, the cause of this disease is still unknown; researchers believe that heredity and low immune system may be the cause. One is more likely to develop this disease if a close family member has this condition. This disease can be diagnosed by various tests like stool test, endoscopy, colonoscopy, etc.

Symptoms

The seriousness of the symptoms of this disease varies from person to person, mild to severe. However, some common symptoms include the following:

• Abdominal pain
• Increase in abdominal sounds
• Diarrhea
• Blood in stool
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Rectal pain
• Malnutrition

Patients suffering from ulcerative colitis also show some other symptoms like: 

• Joint pain
• Swelling
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Ulcers
• Mouth sores