Left-Sided Ulcerative Colitis

This form of ulcerative colitis affects a defined section of the large bowel, but symptoms and inflammation can vary over time. Diarrhoea, urgency, rectal bleeding, mucus, abdominal discomfort and tiredness may occur during a flare. Some people have mild symptoms; others need prompt treatment. Symptoms can overlap with infection, haemorrhoids or other bowel conditions, so a diagnosis usually involves your history, examination, blood or stool tests and sometimes a camera test of the bowel.

Keep a record of bowel frequency, urgency, bleeding, pain, food triggers and medicines. Drink enough fluid, eat what you tolerate and take prescribed treatment exactly as directed. Do not stop anti-inflammatory or other colitis medicine suddenly without advice. Book a GP consultation if symptoms are new, returning or affecting daily activities. A specialist may adjust treatment according to the inflammation pattern and test results; colorectal cancer screening is a separate preventive discussion based on personal risk and bowel history.

Seek urgent care for heavy or repeated rectal bleeding, severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen, persistent vomiting, faintness, confusion, or inability to keep fluids down. Contact your care team promptly if diarrhoea suddenly becomes much more frequent, you develop fever, or you feel markedly weak. These features can signal significant inflammation, dehydration or another problem requiring examination.

Which tests will confirm the extent of inflammation? What is my flare plan? How should I manage bleeding or urgency, and when should screening be discussed?