The chronic inflammatory bowel disease ulcerative colitis causes enormous suffering in many of those affected and makes everyday life more difficult. The following symptoms are characteristic of the currently incurable disease.
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What is Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the large intestine (colon), which usually progresses in phases. The inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, which is accompanied by ulcers (lat. ulcera), usually begins at the lower end of the large intestine (rectum) and spreads to the junction between the large and small intestine. In contrast to Crohn’s disease , which is also chronically inflammatory , ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon. The causes of ulcerative colitis are still unclear, but a genetic predisposition can increase the risk of the disease. In Germany, an estimated 0.2 percent of the population is affected, i.e. almost 170,000 people. Younger adults between the ages of 20 and 35 are particularly affected and suffer from the following symptoms.
Ulcerative colitis: 4 signs of intestinal inflammation
1. Bloody, mucous diarrhea
The characteristic cardinal symptom of ulcerative colitis is frequent, bloody, mucous diarrhea. During severe flare-ups, the constant urge to defecate and possible faecal incontinence lead to a high level of suffering for those affected. This unpleasant main symptom complicates everyday life for people with ulcerative colitis. Although there is no cure for the disease, fortunately in most cases flare-ups can be controlled with medication, surgery and alternative healing methods such as meditation.
2. Colic
Just as common and unpleasant is cramping abdominal pain (colic), which occurs primarily in the lower left abdomen , since that is where the lowest section of the large intestine is located. The severity and frequency of pain also depends on how advanced the disease is. If the inflammation of ulcerative colitis has already spread throughout the large intestine, the symptoms and consequences are all the more severe, which is why early detection and treatment of the disease is essential.
3. Rash
In addition to those symptoms that are immediately noticeable in the intestine, skin rashes can also be a sign of ulcerative colitis. Between 14 and 19 percent of all those affected suffer from what is known as erythema nodosum during an attack . This is inflammation of the small blood vessels that lie under the skin. If the course of the disease is unfavorable, the painful skin rash is accompanied by reddened lumps or bumps, for example on the lower legs.
4. Eye inflammation
In addition to the skin, the eyes can also become a sideshow of ulcerative colitis. In such cases – when other organs and body regions are affected apart from the intestine – one speaks of extraintestinal manifestations (EIM) , from which about 40 percent of colitis patients suffer in the course of the disease. The eyes in particular are affected in up to 5 percent of people with chronic inflammatory bowel disease. So-called uveitis , an inflammation of the middle part of the eye, is particularly common in ulcerative colitis. Typical signs include reddening of the eye, increased sensitivity to light and aching or itching pain. In some cases, vision may even be impaired.
Important: If you experience these symptoms, you should consult a doctor for diagnostic clarification. This can examine your blood for so-called inflammatory markers, which are elevated in ulcerative colitis. Under certain circumstances, a colonoscopy is also necessary to diagnose the disease beyond doubt. The earliest possible detection is essential for ulcerative colitis, since the intestinal inflammation works its way through the large intestine bit by bit and the symptoms and complications worsen as the disease progresses.
