Diagnosing ulcerative colitis

Tell the clinician about diarrhoea, blood or mucus in stool, urgency, night-time bowel movements, abdominal pain, fatigue and weight change. The timing and persistence of symptoms help distinguish inflammation from infection, medicines and other bowel conditions. The examination may include your abdomen and signs of dehydration or anaemia.

Blood tests can look for inflammation and effects such as anaemia. Stool tests can check for infection and intestinal inflammation. If these findings point toward inflammatory bowel disease, a specialist may use a flexible camera to inspect the rectum and colon and take small tissue samples. The samples help identify the type and extent of inflammation.

Keep a record of stool frequency, urgency, visible blood, pain, fever, appetite and recent travel or antibiotics. Bring a list of medicines and family history of bowel disease. Arrange a GP consultation for ongoing diarrhoea or rectal bleeding. Do not use leftover antibiotics or anti-diarrhoeal medicines without advice, because the safest choice depends on the cause and your examination.

Seek urgent help for heavy or repeated rectal bleeding, severe or worsening abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen, persistent vomiting, fainting, confusion, high fever or signs of dehydration such as very little urine. A rapid change in bowel symptoms with marked weakness should also be assessed promptly.

Ask which tests are needed to exclude infection, whether a specialist referral is appropriate, and how to manage food, fluids and medicines while waiting. Ask what the stool and blood results mean, whether a bowel examination is likely, and which warning signs should bring you back sooner.