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Types of Ulcerative Colitis
Overview
The severity of ulcerative colitis is determined by certain criteria.footnote 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.
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Current as of: March 20, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Current as of: March 20, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
