An unpleasant sensation characterized by physical discomfort (such as pricking, throbbing, or aching) and perceived to originate in the abdomen.

Reduction of total body weight.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disorder that affects the digestive system. This condition is characterized by abnormal inflammation of the inner surface (epithelium) of the rectum and colon. The rectum and colon make up most of the length of the large intestine. The inflammation usually causes open sores (ulcers) to develop in the large intestine. Ulcerative colitis usually appears between the age of 15 and 30, although it can develop at any age. The inflammation tends to flare up multiple times throughout a person's life, which causes recurring signs and symptoms.\n\nThe most common symptoms of ulcerative colitis are cramping abdominal pain and frequent diarrhea, often with blood, pus, or mucus in the stool. Other signs and symptoms include nausea, loss of appetite, bowel urgency, fatigue, and fevers. Chronic bleeding from the inflamed and ulcerated intestinal tissue can cause a shortage of red blood cells (anemia) in some affected individuals. People with this disorder have difficulty absorbing enough fluids and nutrients from their diet and often experience weight loss. Affected children usually grow more slowly than normal. Less commonly, ulcerative colitis causes problems with the skin, joints, eyes, kidneys, or liver, which are most likely due to abnormal inflammation.\n\nToxic megacolon is a rare complication of ulcerative colitis that can be life-threatening. Toxic megacolon involves a widening (dilation) of the colon and an overwhelming inflammatory response. Ulcerative colitis also increases the risk of developing colon cancer, especially in people whose entire colon is inflamed and in those who have had ulcerative colitis for 8 years or more.\n\nUlcerative colitis is one common form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Another type of IBD, Crohn's disease, also causes chronic inflammation of the intestines. Unlike ulcerative colitis, which affects only the inner surface of the large intestine, Crohn's disease can cause inflammation in any part of the digestive system, and the inflammation extends deeper into the intestinal tissue.

Abnormally increased frequency (usually defined as three or more) loose or watery bowel movements a day.

Inflammation of the esophagus.

The presence of an abscess located around the anus.

A chronic form of gastritis.

Constipation for longer than three months with fewer than 3 bowel movements per week, straining, lumpy or hard stools, and a sensation of anorectal obstruction or incomplete defecation.

Inflammation, or an inflammatory state in the large intestine.

The presence of a fistula (abnormal tunnel) between the anal canal and the perineum.

Anemia caused by low iron intake, inefficient iron absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, or chronic blood loss.

Increased numbers of platelets in the peripheral blood.

Inflammation of a joint.

An increased susceptibility to respiratory infections as manifested by a history of recurrent respiratory infections.

Increase in the number or proportion of lymphocytes in the blood.

Less than normal number of natural killer cells, a type of lymphocyte in the innate immune system with an ability to mediate cytotoxicity and produce cytokines after the ligation of a germline-encoded activation receptor.

A reduction in the normal proportion of memory B cells (CD19+/CD27+) in circulation relative to the total number of B cells. Memory B cells develop from naive B cells. Upon antigen rechallenge, memory B cells rapidly expand and differentiate into plasma cells under the cognate control of memory Th cells (Phase IV).

The concentration of interleukin-6 in the blood circulation is above the upper limit of normal.

A red eruption of the skin.

Body temperature elevated above the normal range.

An increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). The ESR is a test that measures the distance that erythrocytes have fallen after one hour in a vertical column of anticoagulated blood under the influence of gravity. The ESR is a nonspecific finding. An elevation may indicate inflammation or may be caused by any condition that elevates fibrinogen.

Periodic (episodic or recurrent) bouts of fever.

An abnormal elevation of the C-reactive protein level in the blood circulation.

Erosion of the mucous mebrane of the mouth with local excavation of the surface, resulting from the sloughing of inflammatory necrotic tissue.