Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the digestive system. While symptoms vary from person to person, the most common ones include:

* Abdominal pain and cramps
* Diarrhea, often with bloody or mucous stools
* Rectal bleeding
* Rectal pain and tenesmus (painful urge to defecate)
* Weight loss and loss of appetite
* Weakness, fatigue, and exhaustion
* Fever and chills
* Nausea
* Dehydration

Some patients may also experience extra-intestinal symptoms such as joint pain, joint swelling, skin problems, mouth sores, and eye inflammation. During severe attacks, more serious symptoms such as shortness of breath and irregular heartbeats may occur.