Diagnosis of Ulcerative colitis

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Your doctor will do a physical examination if ulcerative colitis is suspected. Stool specimens may be taken for testing to exclude bacterial infections. Blood tests may be done to check for anaemia.

Your doctor will then arrange for you to have a colonoscopy or a sigmoidoscopy. In these tests a sigmoidoscope (a rigid tube with a light) or a colonoscope (a special flexible telescope) is inserted into your anus to view the rectum and colon to look for signs of inflammation, ulcers or bleeding. A small tissue sample (biopsy) of the lining of the large intestine will be taken to view under the microscope.

A barium enema x ray of the colon may also be advised. The barium shows up white on the x ray, allowing a clear view of the colon and will show how much of the colon is affected.