Ulcerative colitis almost always affects the rectum. It can also affect any part of the colon and/or the whole colon. Common symptoms include:
Diarrhea
Loose, bloody stool
Cramping stomach pains
Sometimes people with ulcerative colitis can have a fever or become anemic. You can develop ulcerative colitis at any age, but it’s usually diagnosed before age 30. If you have these symptoms:
See your primary care doctor who will review your medical and family history.
If he/she suspects UC, you will need to see a gastroenterologist.
To diagnose UC, a colonoscopy with biopsies of inflamed colon is often needed.