Symptoms of ulcerative colitis
Common risk factors of ulcerative colitis include age (it typically appears between 15 and 30 years old), gender (it is more common in women), and a family history of inflammatory bowel disease. Patients with these risk factors are more likely to experience symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
Common symptoms of this disease include abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, fatigue, fever, and weight loss. Ulcerative colitis can also cause problems with the liver, such as jaundice or liver failure. It is a chronic condition that lasts for many months or years.
The diagnosis of ulcerative colitis is often made by analyzing feces for certain types of bacteria and disease markers which indicate active inflammation. However, if the results are negative, the patient may still have ulcerative colitis. Some blood tests, including white blood cell measurement and C-reactive protein levels, can be used to confirm the diagnosis.
