Types of Ulcerative Colitis

Becoming well-informed about your chronic illness is a helpful part of your journey. It is important to learn all you can about your diagnosis and how it may affect you. We can help you understand the different types of ulcerative colitis, as well as the common symptoms and complications.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic illness that can affect different parts of the colon and rectum. There is a wide array of symptoms and complications depending on the extent of your disease and the type of ulcerative colitis you have.

Getting diagnosed with a chronic, lifelong disease is overwhelming. It is important to learn all you can about your diagnosis and how it may affect you. We can help you understand the different types of ulcerative colitis, as well as the common symptoms and complications.

Ulcerative Proctitis

In ulcerative proctitis, bowel inflammation is limited to the rectum. This condition typically affects less than six inches of the rectum, and it is not associated with an increased risk of cancer.

Symptoms may include:

• Rectal bleeding

• Rectal pain

• Urgency in your bowel movements

Left-Sided Colitis

In this form of ulcerative colitis, continuous inflammation begins at the rectum and extends as far into the colon as the splenic flexure, which is a bend in the colon near the spleen. Left-sided colitis also includes proctosigmoiditis, which affects rectum and the lower segment of colon located right above the rectum known as the sigmoid colon.

Symptoms may include:

• Loss of appetite

• Weight loss

• Bloody diarrhea

• Pain on the left side of the abdomen

Extensive Colitis

This type of ulcerative colitis affects the entire colon. Continuous inflammation begins at the rectum and extends beyond the splenic flexure.

Symptoms may include:

• Loss of appetite

• Bloody diarrhea

• Abdominal pain

• Weight loss