What should you know about dalm ulcerative colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the lining of the large bowel and rectum. Symptoms can include frequent diarrhoea, urgency, blood or mucus in stool, abdominal pain and fatigue. Some people have periods when symptoms settle and periods when they flare. These features can also occur with infections or other bowel conditions, so symptoms alone cannot establish the diagnosis. A clinician will consider the duration, stool changes, general health and family history.

Contact a GP Consultation service if diarrhoea continues, bleeding recurs, or bowel urgency is disrupting daily life. Keep a record of stool frequency, visible blood or mucus, pain, fever, weight change and medicines. Drink enough to replace fluid losses if you can, and avoid starting or stopping prescribed bowel medicine without advice. Assessment may involve examination, blood or stool tests and referral when needed.

Seek urgent help for heavy or repeated rectal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen, persistent vomiting, high fever, faintness, confusion or inability to keep fluids down. A rapid deterioration in someone already diagnosed with ulcerative colitis can represent a serious flare and should not be managed by changing treatment alone.

Ask what tests can distinguish Ulcerative Colitis from infection, how to monitor a flare, and which treatment plan fits your symptoms. Ask whether Colorectal Cancer Screening is relevant to your age, history and diagnosis.