Symptom 3. Bloody Stools: A Startling Symptom of Ulcerative Colitis
The presence of blood in your stool can be a startling symptom of ulcerative colitis. When the lining of the colon and rectum is inflamed and ulcerated, it can bleed, especially during bowel movements. This blood can mix with your stools, giving them a red or sometimes black appearance.
Seeing blood in your toilet bowl or on your toilet paper can be quite alarming. However, it’s important not to panic. While it’s a serious symptom that requires immediate medical attention, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have a life-threatening condition. Nonetheless, bloody stools are not something to ignore, as they are often a sign of significant inflammation or damage in the digestive tract.
Blood in the stools can present in different ways. Some people might notice bright red blood, indicating that the bleeding is happening near the end of the digestive tract, such as in the rectum. Others might observe dark, tarry stools, a sign that the bleeding is occurring further up in the digestive tract.(3)
