What is ulcerative colitis?

Inflammation and small ulcers develop in the bowel lining. The affected area may be limited to the rectum or extend farther through the colon. Symptoms often come in periods of increased activity called flares, followed by quieter periods. Common features include diarrhoea, urgency, rectal bleeding or mucus, abdominal pain, and tiredness, although each person’s pattern differs.

The condition is different from a short-lived stomach infection. Diagnosis usually combines the symptom history with examination, blood or stool tests, and sometimes a camera test of the bowel. The purpose is to confirm inflammation and distinguish it from other causes of bowel change.

Book a GP consultation if diarrhoea, blood in stool, urgency, or abdominal pain continues or keeps returning. Bring a list of medicines and note how often you open your bowels, whether blood or mucus is present, and whether food, sleep, or activity has changed. Do not stop prescribed treatment abruptly or rely on dietary restriction alone.

A clinician can arrange initial tests and decide whether specialist review is needed. Treatment aims to calm inflammation, control symptoms, and protect bowel health over time; the plan depends on the extent and activity of disease.

Get urgent help for heavy rectal bleeding, severe or increasing abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen, repeated vomiting, inability to drink, fainting, confusion, high fever, or marked weakness. These signs may indicate substantial bleeding, dehydration, infection, or a severe flare.

Ask what tests are needed, which part of the bowel may be involved, how to recognise a flare, what treatment choices fit your symptoms, and when follow-up or bowel screening is recommended. Tell the clinician about family history, recent travel, antibiotics, and any weight or appetite change.