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- What is ulcerative colitis?
- Symptoms of ulcerative colitis
- Causes of ulcerative colitis
- Prevention of ulcerative colitis
- Risk factors for ulcerative colitis
- Complications of ulcerative colitis
- When to see a doctor about ulcerative colitis
- Diagnosis of ulcerative colitis
- Conventional treatment of ulcerative colitis
- Alternative/complementary treatment of ulcerative colitis
- Living with ulcerative colitis
- Caring for someone with ulcerative colitis
Symptoms of ulcerative colitis
The symptoms of ulcerative colitis depend on how inflamed the bowel (or rectum) is at any given moment.
The main symptoms of ulcerative colitis are:
- Abdominal pain - vague discomfort to cramps
- Anaemia - from malabsorption of iron and/or passing blood in the stools
- Diarrhoea - sometimes with blood and/or mucous (diarrhoea may not occur for everyone with ulcerative colitis)
- Constipation - especially if the ulcers/lesions are closest to the rectum and not many in the large colon
- Fever - when the disease is active
- Incontinence - inability to control the flow
- Lethargy and fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Passing fresh, bright red coloured blood in the stools or it can be passed separately from the stools
- Shooting pain up the backside (tenesmus)
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
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Other symptoms associated with ulcerative colitis are:
- Blurred vision
- Eye problems - inflammation and sensitivity to light
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Mouth ulcers
- Swelling or stiffness of the wrists, elbows, knees, ankles
Ulcerative colitis can also make a person more likely to develop gall stones, kidney stones, other kidney and circulatory problems.
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< 1: what is ulcerative colitis 3: symptoms > Last reviewed: 30 September 2008 || Last updated: 14 February 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
