Fatigue
Weight loss
Loss of appetite
Rectal bleeding
Loss of body fluids and nutrients
About 50% of patients with ulcerative colitis have mild symptoms while others suffer frequent fever, bloody diarrhoea, nausea, and severe abdominal cramps. Ulcerative colitis may also induce problems such as arthritis, osteoporosis, skin rashes, and anemia. It is not known why problems occur outside the colon but scientists think such complications may occur when the immune system triggers inflammation in other parts of the body. Some of these problems go away when the colitis is treated.
There are cycles of attack and healing which result in the narrowing of the intestinal tract, causing complications. Theories about what causes this condition abound, but none have been conclusively proven. The most popular theory is that the body’s immune system reacts to a virus or a bacterium by causing ongoing inflammation in the intestinal wall. People with ulcerative colitis have abnormalities of the immune system, but it is not known whether these abnormalities are the cause or a result of the disease.
As a result of the condition, water and minerals are not well absorbed, so there is an escalation of ill health, loss of appetite, weight loss, and possible dehydration and anemia, as well as general fatigue.
Ulcerative colitis affects only the innermost lining of the colon, and is continuous throughout the colon. In addition, UC can cause inflammation in the eyes, skin and joints, liver disease, kidney stones and colon cancer.
