Ulcerative Colitis is a rare inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with less than 200,000 cases per year. Ulcerative colitis can cause long-term effects on the body including inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract. This can affect the innermost lining of the large intestine as well as the rectum.

The symptoms of ulcerative colitis can range from mild to severe. Symptoms include rectal bleeding, bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and pain. Those who have Ulcerative Colitis are also at a greater risk of developing colon cancer.

Doctors usually diagnose the different types of ulcerative colitis according to its location in the large intestine. The different types of ulcerative colitis include:

Ulcerative Proctitis

This is when the inflammation is in the area closest to the rectum. Rectal bleeding may be a sign of this disease, and it tends to be the mildest form.

Proctosigmoiditis

This type of ulcerative colitis is confined to the rectum as well as the lower end of the colon (sigmoid colon). Symptoms include abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea, and the inability to move bowels, even though you feel as though you need to.

Left-sided colitis

If you have sharp pain on your left side, bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping or weight loss, you may be experiencing left-sided colitis. This happens when inflammation extends from the rectum through the sigmoid and descending colon.

Pancolitis

Pancolitis often affects the entire colon. This can cause severe bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and pain, fatigue and weight loss.

Acute severe ulcerative colitis

This form of colitis is rare. It is a severe form and it affects the entire colon. It can cause severe pain, profuse bloody diarrhea, fever and complete loss of appetite.

Although rare, ulcerative colitis can cause an abundance of health problems. It is imperative to participate in clinical trials in order to move medicine forward and help find effective treatments for ulcerative colitis sufferers. 

Resources: Cleveland Clinic, Crohn’s and Colitis