UC is an inflammatory bowel disease where the colon and rectum become inflamed. The disease takes over parts of your colon and rectum and can spread over time.

The disease can lie dormant with limited symptoms and at times ‘flare’ causing ulcers which can produce blood and pus.

Symptoms include:

• Changes in toilet habits

• Blood or pus in poo

• Needing to poo more urgently or frequently

• Discomfort in your abdomen or colon day to day or when pooing

• Weight loss

• Fatigue

More severe symptoms when in flare;

• Osteoporosis

• Reds of eyes

• Ulcers

• Arthritis

if you have any of these symptoms or any concerns at all, I would encourage you to consider a colonoscopy to explore what’s happening inside. In my experience it is not easy to get this test when outlining these issues to a GP but investigation and diagnosis are so important for long term health and successful management of the disease. If you leave colitis to spread or worsen you can be severely sick to the point of life threatening, uncontrollable disease.