Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that leads to the inflammation of the colon and the rectum in the body. There is no cure for this disease and it can get challenging to deal with the symptoms; however, there are some management techniques that can help relieve them. It is important to be observant of these signs that may indicate the development of ulcerative colitis to start the management plan immediately.
Diarrhea
This is a common symptom of ulcerative colitis, which is often also followed with pus or blood in the stool. This diarrhea is caused due to the inflammation in the digestive tract. It becomes difficult for the colon to process the food and the waste due to its inability to absorb the water from it properly. Due to this, the stool is loose and watery in nature. Some other signs to be careful of include abdominal cramps, urgency to use the bathroom, increased bowel movements both at night and day, and also the feeling of incomplete bowel movement simultaneously.
Fatigue
This is another common symptom experienced by people with ulcerative colitis. Due to the inflammation in the colon, the body is constantly responding to fix this, causing the energy to drain. Studies suggest that the chemical signals that are produced during the inflammation can affect the brain directly and cause tiredness and chronic fatigue. There are reports of experiencing malaise, or what is understood as profound fatigue, which interferes with everyday activities as well. This also leads to symptoms like brain fog or overwhelming heaviness. However, a proper meal plan that takes ulcerative colitis triggers into account and an active lifestyle can help deal with this tiredness.
Inability to defecate
Due to the inflammation in the colon and rectum, constipation can also trouble those with ulcerative colitis. This can lead to further complications like gas and nausea, which can be uncomfortable to handle. Also, when hard stool is passed through the intestines, it can be hurtful as the tract is completely inflamed and can lead to more complications.
Failure to grow in children
When ulcerative colitis is diagnosed in children, one of the most recognized and complicated symptoms is impairment of growth. According to studies, the growth failure is recognized to be at 3 to 10 percent in ulcerative colitis. This is due to decreased appetite due to the disease, malabsorption of nutrients through the digestion process due to the mucosal inflammation, other abdominal symptoms like diarrhea or bleeding, growth hormone resistance due to inflammation, and also some genetic factors.
Always keep an eye out for these signs to diagnose the condition on time. Moreover, it is advised to speak to a specialist who can suggest different ways of managing ulcerative colitis.
