It depends on how severe it is and what part of your colon is affected.

Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis

Symptoms of ulcerative colitis can come and go. You might not have any for weeks, months, or even years, and then they can return. There’s roughly a 50-50 chance that the effects will be mild.

Still, most people with the disease have a few common issues, including:

Diarrhea

The most common sign of ulcerative colitis is frequent diarrhea with blood or pus in it. You might notice it in the toilet after you go. It’s possible to have blood in your poop and not be able to see it, so you might not realize.

If your disease is severe, the urge to empty your colon can come on fast. You might be able to predict when it will happen. For example, you might have to use the bathroom soon after you eat, or certain kinds of foods, like spicy dishes or food with lots of fiber, might worsen your symptoms. You may even find that stress triggers cramping and an urgent need to use the bathroom. It might be tough to hold diarrhea in and make it to the bathroom in time.

Other times, the urge to go is unpredictable. It can even wake you up when you’re asleep. Sometimes, you may feel like you still have to go shortly after a bowel movement, as if you haven’t emptied your colon.

Here are some of the most common symptoms of ulcerative colitis.

Pain

Belly pain from ulcerative colitis can feel crampy, and the pain can often feel quite severe. It can happen before a bowel movement or while you’re going.

Fatigue

Ulcerative colitis causes several problems that can make you feel very tired:

• Nausea and loss of appetite keep you from eating, which leaves your body low on fuel.
• Diarrhea and swelling in your colon make it hard for your body to absorb what it needs for energy.
• Bleeding in your colon leaves you with too few red blood cells or anemia.
• You don’t get enough sleep because you get up often at night to go to the bathroom.
• You’re dehydrated because of diarrhea.