Key takeaways

  • Symptoms of ulcerative colitis, such as diarrhea and abdominal bloating, can be similar to Crohn’s disease, another type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
  • Other conditions that can resemble ulcerative colitis include celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), granulomatous autoimmune disorders, colon infections, diverticulitis, and colon cancer.
  • Drug-induced enteritis and colitis can also cause symptoms similar to those of ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal bloating, and blood in the stool.

Crohn’s disease, another type of IBD, can cause symptoms similar to ulcerative colitis. Other conditions that can resemble ulcerative colitis include IBS, celiac disease, infections, and diverticulitis.

As the symptoms can be caused by multiple conditions, it can be difficult to diagnose ulcerative colitis. If a doctor suspects an IBD, they will likely order tests to help confirm the diagnosis and rule out other possible causes.

Read on to learn more about conditions that can cause symptoms similar to those caused by ulcerative colitis.

Crohn’s disease is a type of IBD. Like ulcerative colitis, it can cause symptoms such as:

Crohn’s disease can also cause signs and symptoms not usually present in other types of IBD, such as:

Crohn’s disease, as with other IBDs, can lead to complications such as ulcers and anal fissures.

Common symptoms of IBS can include:

A person may experience diarrhea, constipation, or both.

It can also cause tenesmus and white mucus in the stool, which may also be present in ulcerative colitis.

The exact cause of IBS is unclear, but possible triggers include mental health conditions and bacterial infections.

To assist with diagnosing IBS, doctors will usually refer to the Bristol stool chart. They will also likely recommend stool tests and blood tests.

Key terms explained

“Tenesmus” refers to a feeling of not being able to empty the bowel or bladder properly.

Rectal tenesmus, or feeling unable to empty the bowel, can occur with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Celiac disease can resemble ulcerative colitis. It can cause symptoms such as:

  • abdominal bloating and pain
  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • greasy, foul-smelling stool
  • gas
  • nausea
  • vomiting

Symptoms of celiac disease can happen in response to consuming gluten. The condition damages the lining of the small intestine.

Blood tests and biopsies of the small intestine can help diagnose celiac disease.

Infections of the colon can cause symptoms similar to those of ulcerative colitis. Examples include:

  • Coccidioides infection, a fungal infection that can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, and fever
  • Mycobacterium avium-intracellulaire infection, a mycobacterial infection that can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea
  • non-typhoidal Salmonella, a bacterial infection that can cause symptoms such as abdominal cramps and diarrhea
  • Shigella infection, a bacterial infection that can cause diarrhea, stomach pain, and fever
  • Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection, a bacterial infection that can cause diarrhea and other bowel problems
  • Escherichia coli (E. coli), a bacterial infection that can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea

Granulomatous autoimmune disorders can cause similar symptoms to ulcerative colitis.

The disorders include sarcoidosis and common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). They are autoimmune conditions that cause granulomas, or clusters of immune cells, to form in parts of the body.

Tests can depend on where the granulomas develop. If granulomas develop in multiple parts of the body, a person may experience:

  • skin changes
  • swollen glands
  • eye pain
  • joint pain
  • heart problems
  • kidney stones

Diverticulitis can resemble ulcerative colitis. It occurs when the diverticula, small pouches that line the digestive tract, become inflamed.

The main symptoms of diverticulitis include:

  • bloating
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • abdominal pain

Abdominal pain due to diverticulitis usually affects the left side, and it is usually severe.

Complications of diverticulitis can include anal fistulas, abscesses, and strictures.

Contrast CT scans can help diagnose the condition.

Colon cancer may resemble ulcerative colitis in some cases it can cause symptoms such as:

  • diarrhea
  • abdominal pain
  • bleeding

A colonoscopy can usually help diagnose colon cancer. However, primary colonic lymphomas can look similar to IBDs on a colonoscopy.

Drug-induced enteritis and colitis are conditions that occur due to inflammation caused by certain medications.

According to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, these conditions are most common with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as they can cause ulcerations throughout the gastrointestinal tract.

Immune-based chemotherapeutic agents can also cause symptoms similar to ulcerative colitis.

It is best to contact a doctor if you experience frequent bowel changes, such as constipation or diarrhea.

You should also contact a doctor about occasional bleeding. If bleeding is constant or severe, seek immediate medical help. You should also seek help for severe diarrhea.

Speak with a doctor if there are concerns about the side effects of any prescription or over-the-counter medications. It is important to not suddenly stop taking medication unless a doctor advises it.

The doctor may refer the individual to a gastroenterologist, a specialist in conditions affecting the digestive system.

Blood tests, stool samples, and endoscopies can help distinguish between ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Yes, it is possible to have both infectious colitis and ulcerative colitis at the same time.

Microscopic colitis can cause symptoms such as chronic diarrhea, which may resemble ulcerative colitis. A biopsy during a colonoscopy can help diagnose the condition.

Ulcerative colitis can cause symptoms such as abdominal bloating, diarrhea, and bloody stool. It can resemble Crohn’s disease, another type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Other conditions that can cause symptoms similar to ulcerative colitis include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, colon infections, granulomatous autoimmune disorders, diverticulitis, and colon cancer.

Some medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can also cause similar symptoms.

Speak with a doctor about any changes in bowel habits. For severe bleeding or diarrhea, seek immediate medical help.