Although I have had gastrointestinal problems over the years, I have never had a bout like I have presently been enduring. In addition to the normal concerns, for the past month, I have had an unusually increased sense of "hard-belly", which is accompanied by a tremendously increased heart rate (105bpm) and crazy blood pressure (158/98). with a history of ulcerative colitis, should I be especially concerned about these symptoms? I am a 49 year old male with a history of relatively good health outside of prolonged rectal bleeding experiences and gastrointestinal discomfort. thanx so much for your ideas.