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Ulcerative colitis is a condition that causes diarrhoea, belly pain, and bloody bowel movements. These symptoms happen because the large intestine becomes inflamed and gets sores, called “ulcers.” The large intestine is also called the colon.
Symptoms are mild or severe. they could happen just once. Or they might flee and come back over and over again. Possible symptoms include:
• Diarrhoea that might happen 10 or more times a day
• Bloody bowel movements
• Bleeding from the anus
• Mucus coming out of the anus
• Belly cramps
• Fever
• Weight loss
Yes. There are a few tests that may help Gastroenterologists diagnose ulcerative colitis. Gastroenterologists usually use a test called a “sigmoidoscopy” or the same test called a “colonoscopy”. For these tests, the Gastroenterologist puts a skinny tube into your rectum (the lower part of the large intestine) and threads it up into your colon. The tube has a camera attached to it, so the Gastroenterologist can look inside your colon. The tube also has tools attached, so the Gastroenterologist can take samples of tissue to look at under the microscope. Other tests might include X-rays or scans.
It depends. There is no specific type of diet that has been proven to assist people with ulcerative colitis feel better. But some people do notice that certain foods seem to create symptoms worse. If this happens to you, your Gastroenterologist might suggest avoiding those foods for a long time to work out if you are feeling better. for instance, some people feel better if they avoid dairy foods like milk, yogurt, and cheese.
Depending on your symptoms, your Gastroenterologist might prescribe:
• Medicines that you simply put directly into your rectum – These reduce swelling in mild cases. It takes about 3 to 4 weeks before they begin working.
• Medicines that you simply take in a pill – a common one is named “5-ASA.”
• A brief course in steroid medicine – This helps reduce swelling.
For most people, symptoms go away after just a few weeks of treatment.
When medicines don’t work, surgery can help. There are 2 types:
• Surgery to remove the colon, rectum, and anus. Those who have this surgery can not have bowel movements within the normal way. Instead, their bowel movements initiate through a hole in their belly. A bag catches the waste.
• Surgery to remove just the colon and rectum. After this surgery, the Gastroenterologist reconnects the small intestine to the anus. Those who have this surgery can have bowel movements in the normal way.
In most cases, ulcerative colitis doesn’t affect a woman’s ability to get pregnant. If you would like to own a baby, talk over with your Gastroenterologist before you begin trying to get pregnant. He or she will ensure you get all the tests you wish before and through your pregnancy. it’s important for ulcerative colitis to be properly treated during pregnancy. Your Gastroenterologist might want to change your medicines. That’s because a number of the medicines accustomed treat ulcerative colitis may not be safe for a baby. Your Gastroenterologist might also want to put you on the next dose of folic acid than women without ulcerative colitis need.
Conditions like ulcerative colitis run in families. So, if you have got a child, he or she might get it, too.
Where to get help
Ulcerative colitis is treated with medicines first. Surgery is considered when medicines do not control the disease, or in an emergency such as severe bleeding or a very swollen colon.
Dr Harsh Shah, MS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology), DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology), is a surgical gastroenterologist. He sees stomach, bowel, liver and pancreas problems at his Gota OPD, and operates at Apollo Hospital, Bhat, Gandhinagar when surgery is needed.
Read more: gastroenterologist and GI surgeon in Ahmedabad
Related: Crohn’s disease · Blood in the stool · Colectomy · C. difficile diarrhoea
OPD: Shah’s Gastro, Cancer & Robotic Surgery Centre, SF-203, 2nd floor, Olive Greens, Gota, S G Highway, Ahmedabad 382481. Call to book. Bring your old reports; second opinions are welcome.
Last updated: 3 October 2026
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