In ulcerative colitis the large intestine becomes inflamed and develops ulcers. The involved part of the larger intestine becomes inflamed and there will be formation of ulcers.

Clinical types

• Ulcerative proctitis: Ulcerative colitis that involves the rectum.

• Proctosigmoiditis: Ulcerative colitis that involves the rectum.

• Left sided colitis: Ulcerative colitis which affects the entire left side of the colon, he rectum, sigmoid colon, and descending colon.

• Pan colitis: Ulcerative colitis that involves the entire colon.

 Signs and symptoms

• Bloody diarrhea

• Persistent or recurrent diarrhea

• Abdominal pain

• Fever

• Fatigue

• Weight loss

• Loss of appetite

 Other symptoms of ulcerative colitis

• Reddening and inflammation of the eye-iritis.

• Joint pains mainly in the large joints like knees, ankles, elbows, wrists and shoulders.

• Erythema nodosum: Skin lesions occurring as tender red nodules on the shins or claves.

• Sores inside the mouth (aphthous ulcers).

 Tests and diagnosis

• Sigmoidoscopy

• Colonoscopy

• Barium enema

• Stool for occult blood will be positive

• Elevated ESR

• Complete blood count may show increase white blood cell count, low red cell count low hemoglobin due to anemia.

 Treatment:

• Medications

• Surgeries like total colectomy

 Medications

• 5-ASA compounds like sulfasalazine, azulfadine, mesalamine, osalazine.

• Steroids

• Medications to suppress the immune system like 6-mercaptopurine