How Is Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosed?
Diagnosing Ulcerative Colitis involves a multi-step approach to confirm the presence of inflammation and rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. Doctors typically begin with a detailed medical history and discussion of your symptoms, including frequency of bowel movements, presence of blood, and abdominal pain. Laboratory tests might be ordered to check for anemia (common with blood loss) and rule out infections. A stool sample can be analyzed for hidden blood, white blood cells (indicating inflammation), or certain pathogens.
Next steps often involve imaging tests to visualize the colon's inner lining. A colonoscopy is a gold-standard test where a long, flexible tube with a camera is inserted through the rectum to examine the entire colon for ulcers, inflammation, and bleeding. In some cases, a sigmoidoscopy might be sufficient. This shorter, flexible tube examines only the lower portion of the colon (rectum and sigmoid colon) but can be useful for quicker diagnosis. Biopsy samples collected during these procedures can be examined under a microscope to confirm the presence of ulcerations and characteristic inflammatory changes, solidifying the diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis.
