Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms of ulcerative colitis range from mild to severe and include diarrhea and rectal bleeding that is sometimes accompanied by fever and abdominal pain. As the disease involves more of the colon, the diarrhea may get worse and fever and abdominal pain may develop. Patients may also experience what are called extraintestinal manifestations. These consist of joint pain and swelling, back stiffness, mouth sores, eye pain or redness and skin rashes. These may resolve with treatment of the bowel disease or may need to be treated separately.
Ulcerative colitis is chronic, like Crohn's disease .
Advances in therapy have helped physicians improve the overall quality of life in patients by better treating flare-ups and lengthening remissions. A thorough history, physical exam and series of tests are required to diagnose ulcerative colitis. A high white blood cell count might indicate intestinal inflammation or infection. Other blood tests help physicians understand a patient's nutritional status and overall health. This allows the physician to counsel the patient on the prognosis and to customize a treatment plan.