Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disorder that develops in the digestive tract, mainly affecting the inner lining of the large intestine. The condition causes sores to break out on the lining, rupturing healthy tissue and causing bleeding, incontinence, and pain, among other known discomforts. Symptoms of ulcerative colitis develop gradually and result in unexpected flare-ups without any warning. It pays to know these seven critical signs for early diagnosis and treatment.

Abdominal problems
pain in the abdominal regions is one of the first signs of trouble when digestive disorders like ulcerative colitis develop over time. The pain is usually more in the belly region and worsens with inflammatory flare-ups. Pain in the general abdominal region should never be ignored as it is a sign of the progression of the disease that can further result in bloating, cramps, and excessive gas buildup.

Bleeding from the rectum
Passing a small amount of blood with each bowel movement progressively is a clear sign of problems in the rectum. Ulcerative colitis is highly invasive and affects healthy tissue in the rectum, causing rupture and bleeding into the stools. Diarrhea is another complication of digestive disorders, and observing blood with diarrhea is a sign of colitis spreading and damaging the rectum. Immediate consultation is advisable to prevent the symptoms from flaring up.

Problems with bowel movements
Ulcerative colitis affects a person’s ability to pass stools normally. Complications like constipation or diarrhea can develop erratically, forcing one to pass stools uncontrollably or not at all. These problems develop in no particular pattern, so it’s hard to keep track of the incontinence. A person might completely lose the ability to control bowel movements.

Fever and fatigue
Fever and fatigue are indicators of the immune system that the body is currently undergoing duress battling a new infection or disease. The core temperature of the body shoots up while the immune system attacks triggers of external diseases.

Unexplained loss of appetite
Loss of appetite is a common symptom and discomfort experienced with a number of known digestive disorders. Nausea and vomiting are associated complications of ulcerative colitis, and these discomforts worsen as the disease progresses rapidly. Such symptoms can disrupt one’s appetite and even make certain foods and beverages unpleasant for consumption.

Changes in metabolism
Lack of proper daily nutrition will also trigger vitamin and mineral deficiencies that affect the body’s overall metabolic and hormonal balance. These changes cause a chain reaction resulting in an unexpected reduction of the body mass index (BMI) score. A low BMI can further cause weakness and fatigue that affects daily routine simply because the body is not able to keep up.

Other visible symptoms
Sores may appear on the skin when there are sudden changes in the body’s metabolism. Metabolic changes also directly impact the hormones that control vital body functions. Most of these unexpected triggers are visible on the surface of the skin. Some people even develop mouth ulcers, suffer from eye irritation, and experience joint pain during symptom flare-ups.