Types Of Ulcerative Colitis And Symptoms Of These Types

Posted on September 1, 2009 by mkr in Digestive Disorders

Ulcerative colitis is a disease confined to the mucosa and sub-mucosal layer of the colonic wall. The rectum is the most frequently involved portion (90 to 95%) of the bowel. In only 10% of cases terminal ileum may be involved.

Ulcerative colitis can be divided into three forms.

  1. Chronic and Continuous Ulcerative Colitis.
  2. Chronic Relapsing Remitting Ulcerative Colitis.
  3. Acute Fulminant Ulcerative Colitis.

Chronic And Continuous Ulcerative Colitis

  • The onset is usually gradual in this case and the diarrhea gradually becomes worse for a considerable period.
  • Lower abdominal cramp is almost always present in the earlier phases but when the bowel becomes thickened and shortened, cramping is less marked.
  • Cramping is usually followed by urgency and tenesmus and painful passage of small watery stool consisting of stool, mucus, blood and pus.
  • Later on cramping may not be present to warn of impending defecation. At this stage of defecation occurs unexpectedly and the patient becomes insecure.
  • Gradually there is weight loss and malnutrition.

Chronic Relapsing Remitting Ulcerative Colitis

  • This is the most common form seen in ulcerative colitis.
  • The course is variable and characterized by almost unpredictable exacerbation and remissions.
  • Recurrences are often associated with emotional stress and other acute illness and in women during menstruation and pregnancy.
  • Bloody diarrhea is the predominant symptom which occurs during relapses.
  • Diarrhea and abdominal pain more or less occur in the same fashion as the chronic variety, only difference is that in the remitting stage patient is almost free from disease.

Acute Fulminant Ulcerative Colitis

  1. Sometimes the onset is very acute and fulminant colitis may superimpose as an exacerbation upon the chronic form.
  2. Unrelenting diarrhea, preceded by severe lower abdominal cramps takes place day and night.
  3. Tenesmus and urgency are marked.
  4. Number of passing stools is about 30 to 40 times per day. They consist of small amount of watery stools, mucus, blood and pus.
  5. Systemic toxicity is the main feature of this type.
  6. Fever goes up to 39 to 40 degree Celsius.
  7. Extreme dehydration, hypocalcaemia, anemia, hyponatremia and marked weight loss are features of this form.
  8. Colonic perforation, hemorrhage and toxic megacolon always threaten this condition.
  9. Mortality of this form is about 20 %.

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