Digestive Health Symptoms of Colitis By Elizabeth Pratt Elizabeth Pratt Elizabeth Pratt is a medical journalist based in Australia. She has a Master's degree in Health Communication and a Bachelor's degree in journalism. Learn about our editorial process Published on June 14, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH LinkedIn Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH, is board-certified in gastroentrology. He is the vice chair for ambulatory services for the department of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, where he is also a professor. He was the founding editor and co-editor in chief of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Frequent Symptoms Rare Symptoms Complications When to See a Healthcare Provider Colitis is a term used to describe inflammation of the colon, also known as the large intestine. The colon is located at the lower end of the digestive tract. Colitis occurs when the mucosal lining of the colon becomes inflamed. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including infections, autoimmune conditions, ischemia (reduced blood flow to tissues), and drugs. Learn more about the symptoms of colitis. Nattawan Jayawan / EyeEm / Getty Images Frequent Symptoms Colitis can occur for a number of reasons, which means the symptoms can vary. Types of colitis include: Ulcerative colitis Microscopic colitis Ischemic colitis Ulcerative Colitis Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in which the colon and rectum become inflamed. The disease can vary in severity among people who have the condition. Common symptoms of ulcerative colitis include: Bloody diarrhea (typically the main symptom indicative of ulcerative colitis)Abdominal painRectal painFrequent bowel movementsWeight lossFeverPain in jointsSkin rashConstipationRectal spasm Verywell Signs and Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis Microscopic Colitis Microscopic colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation of the lining of the colon. Microscopic colitis presents in two forms: Lymphocytic colitisCollagenous colitis Lymphocytic colitis means the lining of the colon has more white blood cells than is typical. The collagen layer under the colon lining is normal or sometimes slightly thicker than normal. Collagenous colitis means the collagen layer under the lining of the colon is thicker than normal. Both forms of microscopic colitis have the same symptoms. Symptoms of microscopic colitis may include: Chronic diarrhea (commonly watery, without blood)Diarrhea that occurs in the eveningAbdominal painUrgency with bowel movementsFecal incontinenceWeight lossFatigue How Is Microscopic Colitis Diagnosed? Ischemic Colitis Ischemic colitis is an inflammatory condition that happens when blood flow to the colon is reduced. Lack of sufficient blood flow means not enough oxygen travels to the colon, which can cause tissue damage. Possible symptoms of ischemic colitis include: Acute abdominal crampingAcute abdominal painUrge to have a bowel movementPassing of blood from the anusDiarrheaDistention of the abdomenNauseaVomiting What You Should Know About Ischemic Colitis Rare Symptoms Those with colitis may also experience some rare symptoms. These can vary based on the cause of the colitis. Not everyone with colitis will have these symptoms, and they are not as common. Ulcerative Colitis As well as the common symptoms listed above, those with ulcerative colitis may also experience other symptoms. Some of these symptoms will occur only rarely and may occur only in individuals with severe ulcerative colitis. These include: ChillsHigh feverDehydrationLack of appetiteWeight lossGrowth retardation (in children) Some people with ulcerative colitis, most likely those with the severe form of the disease, may also develop generalized symptoms. These may include: ArthritisInflammation of the jointsPain in the jointsInflammation in the joints of the spineInflammation in the joints of the pelvis Some people may also develop inflammatory skin conditions. This can involve sores that are reddish-blue and contain pus or multiple skin nodules that may be tender. In some cases, those with ulcerative colitis may develop inflammatory eye conditions. In some cases, inflammatory eye conditions may flare up as intestinal symptoms do, or they may occur independently of colitis symptoms. Microscopic Colitis In rare cases, microscopic colitis may cause ulcers or perforation of the colon. This is uncommon. Complications In some cases, colitis can lead to complications. This can vary based on the cause of colitis. Ulcerative Colitis Over time, ulcerative colitis can lead to complications throughout the body. These complications include: Anemia, when there are fewer red blood cells than normalBone problems, like low bone mass or osteoporosisProblems with growth or development in children. This can include poor weight gain, short stature, slowed growth, or a delay in puberty. In some cases, those with ulcerative colitis are at risk of serious complications that can be life-threatening. These include: Fulminant ulcerative colitis: Fulminant ulcerative colitis causes severe symptoms of colitis such as more than 10 bowel movements a day that are bloody. Rapid heart rate and severe anemia also occur in fulminant ulcerative colitis.Perforation: In some cases, ulcerative colitis can be so severe that the wall of the colon tears.Severe rectal bleeding: In some cases, a person with ulcerative colitis may have bleeding from the rectum that is so severe or heavy that they need emergency surgery.Toxic megacolon: In toxic megacolon, gas becomes trapped in the colon, causing swelling. This can be a serious and potentially life-threatening event as it can cause the colon to rupture, causing infection. Symptoms of toxic megacolon include high temperature, rapid heart rate, and abdominal pain.Primary sclerosing cholangitis: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare complication of ulcerative colitis and causes the bile ducts to become scarred and inflamed over time. This can lead to damage to the bile ducts and can result in liver failure.Colorectal cancer: Those with long-term ulcerative colitis that involves a third or more of the colon are at higher risk of colorectal cancer. Microscopic Colitis Microscopic colitis is less likely to lead to complications when compared with other forms of IBD. Microscopic colitis can cause severe diarrhea, leading to dehydration and weight loss. In rare cases, microscopic colitis can cause perforation of the colon and ulcers. Ischemic Colitis The most serious potential complication of ischemic colitis is gangrene. This can occur when the lack of blood flow to the colon causes tissues in the area to die. In some cases, this requires surgery. Those with severe ischemic colitis may develop strictures (obstructions) as the colon heals. When to See a Healthcare Provider If you have any symptom that is troubling you, you should speak to a healthcare provider. In particular, you should see a healthcare provider if you have symptoms like: Abdominal pain that does not improveBlood in the stoolsStools that look blackDiarrhea that does not go awayVomiting that does not go awayDistended abdomen Persistent abdominal pain is not normal, and bleeding from the rectum is not normal. If you have any doubts about your health, you should speak with your healthcare provider. A Word From Verywell Symptoms of colitis can be unpleasant and uncomfortable. Colitis can occur for a variety of reasons, and symptoms may vary from person to person. Symptoms can range from diarrhea to abdominal cramping and bloody stools. Some causes of colitis can lead to complications that can be serious. If you are concerned about your symptoms, you should speak with your healthcare provider. 8 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Ulcerative colitis. National Institutes of Health. Definition & facts of microscopic colitis. National Institutes of Health. Symptoms & causes of microscopic colitis. Washington C, Carmichael JC. Management of ischemic colitis. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2012;25(4):228-235. doi:0.1055/s-0032-1329534 National Organization For Rare Disorders. Ulcerative colitis. National Institutes of Health. Definition & facts of ulcerative colitis. NHS (UK) Complications ulcerative colitis. Mount Sinai. Colitis. Editorial Process Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit