Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms: What’s Normal? | HealthCentral

An ulcerative colitis (UC) diagnosis can bring about changes you never thought you'd face. But, if you're newly diagnosed, or even if you've had your diagnosis for a while, how do you know whats normal and whats cause for alarm when it comes to UC?

The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation describes the "normal" symptoms of UC as:

Not the most fun list, but it leaves a lot to be interpreted by you, the patient. For instance, how "bloody" is too bloody? How much pain is too much pain? What if you're not having bowel movements at all?

There's a variety of symptoms that are considered either indicative of UC or "normal." How can you determine what's normal and what's a sign of trouble?

"Normal" when you have UC is completely subjective to you. That's probably not the answer you're looking for, but I'll share my experience to help you determine your normal.

My normal with UC is:

This is my version of normal, and it may not be the same for you. I determined that these symptoms were "normal" for me by doing the following:

What's not normal for UC, again, depends on the person. My abnormal symptoms have included:

In these cases, I seek medical attention.

If you're experiencing not-so-normal symptoms, I recommend avoid Googling your symptoms, visiting WebMD, or asking in an online forum if a symptom is worth going to a hospital over. You'll likely only see horror stories or hear about someone's near-death experience, which isn't typically indicative of what you're experiencing.

What do you do once youve determined that the symptoms you're experiencing don't fit into your realm of "normal?" If your abnormal symptoms are manageable, meaning that you might feel icky, but can still somewhat function, call your GI doctor.

If your particular doctor is unavailable, call the on-call GI doctor. Let them know what you're experiencing and ask them to get back to you as your symptom isn't normal. You can always leave a message with a nurse or contact your GI through an online portal if you can't get ahold of them on the phone.

In cases when your symptoms are severe (e.g., my severe stomach spasms), go to the emergency room. That means if you're unable to walk, move, or speak due to pain or cramping, or if you're incoherent, the emergency room is your best bet. However, in cases where you might be seeing more blood than usual, or your pain level is slightly elevated, there's not much an emergency room can do for you, and, more often than not, they may send you home. Always defer to your GI doctor, unless what you're experiencing is causing severe dehydration, bleeding, or pain.

The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation says you should seek immediate medical attention if you have:

Living with UC means dealing with a variety of symptoms, which can often be confusing and induce anxiety. When in doubt, talk to your doctor if youre worried something isnt normal.

See more helpful articles:

10 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Your Ulcerative Colitis

Sick and Tired: How to Deal With Fatigue When You Have Ulcerative Colitis

When Food Attacks: How I Roll With the Gut Punches of Ulcerative Colitis

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Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms: What's Normal? | HealthCentral