Types of Ulcerative Colitis
The severity of
ulcerative colitis is determined by certain criteria.
1
Ulcerative colitis can be classified as mild, moderate, severe, or fulminant (very severe), which may
guide treatment choices.
People who have mild ulcerative colitis may
have:
- Fewer than four bowel movements (stools) a day.
- No
bleeding or a small amount of bleeding with stools.
- Normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).
People who have mild ulcerative colitis do not have fever, rapid
heartbeat, or
anemia.
People who have moderate ulcerative colitis
may have:
- More than four stools a
day.
- Mild elevation in ESR.
People who have severe ulcerative colitis
may have:
- More than six bloody stools a day (loose
stools).
- Fever, rapid heartbeat, and anemia.
- An elevated ESR.
People who have fulminant ulcerative colitis may have:
- More than 10 stools a day (loose stools).
- Constant bleeding from the rectum.
- Fever, rapid heartbeat, and anemia.
- Cramping belly pain and bloating.
- An expanded colon (as seen on an X-ray).
- A need for blood transfusions.
Flare-ups can be so severe that they require hospitalization.
Citations
-
Kornbluth A, Sachar DB (2010). Ulcerative colitis practice guidelines in adults: American College of Gastroenterology, Practice Parameters Committee. American Journal of Gastroenterology
, 105(3): 501–523. Available online: http://www.nature.com/ajg/journal/v105/n3/full/ajg2009727a.html.
|
By
| Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
| E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
| Peter J. Kahrilas, MD - Gastroenterology |
|
Last Revised
| October 8, 2012 |
Last Revised:
October 8, 2012
Kornbluth A, Sachar DB (2010). Ulcerative colitis practice guidelines in adults: American College of Gastroenterology, Practice Parameters Committee. American Journal of Gastroenterology, 105(3): 501–523. Available online: http://www.nature.com/ajg/journal/v105/n3/full/ajg2009727a.html.
