Can stool routine tests be normal in colitis?

Nov 06, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Li Jingxiang

Introduction

In general, whether the routine stool test results are normal in patients with colitis depends on the severity of the condition. When the disease is mild or in remission, stool tests may appear normal; however, during active disease or when symptoms are evident, abnormalities in stool tests are common. Patients should maintain regular dietary habits, avoid spicy, raw, cold, and irritating foods, and opt for light, easily digestible meals in daily life.

Generally, whether the routine stool examination of patients with colitis is normal depends on the severity of the condition. In mild cases or during remission, the stool test results may appear normal; however, during active disease phases or when symptoms are evident, abnormalities in the stool analysis are commonly observed. The details are as follows:

If colitis symptoms are mild and intestinal inflammation is slight, with no obvious mucosal damage, bleeding, or infection, indicators such as white blood cells, red blood cells, and occult blood in the routine stool test may all remain within normal ranges, making it difficult to establish a definitive diagnosis based solely on this examination.

When colitis is in an active phase, with intestinal mucosa showing congestion, edema, erosion, or even ulcers, the routine stool test will typically reveal abnormalities. These may include elevated white blood cells, presence of red blood cells, positive occult blood tests, and in some cases, abnormal findings related to mucus or pus-blood in the stool, providing important evidence for disease diagnosis.

In daily life, it's important to maintain regular eating habits, avoid spicy, raw, cold, or irritating foods, and choose light, easily digestible meals to reduce gastrointestinal irritation. Additionally, maintaining good sleep patterns and avoiding excessive fatigue can help stabilize intestinal function and reduce flare-ups of inflammation.

View All

What are the symptoms of right-sided colitis?

In general, symptoms of right-sided colitis are primarily localized to the right side of the intestine and surrounding areas. Key manifestations include right abdominal pain, diarrhea, changes in stool consistency, abnormal bowel movements, and abdominal tenderness. It is important to maintain a light diet, avoiding spicy, raw, cold, and coarse foods that may irritate the intestines. Maintaining regular bowel habits can help reduce intestinal strain.

View Full Answer

How effective is traditional Chinese medicine in treating ulcerative colitis?

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has shown certain effectiveness in treating ulcerative colitis, but it is mostly used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach and cannot fully replace standard Western medical therapy. If symptoms persistently worsen or rectal bleeding increases, prompt medical attention is recommended. TCM treatment is based on syndrome differentiation, targeting different patterns such as damp-heat, spleen deficiency, and blood stasis. For example, herbs that clear heat and resolve dampness can help alleviate intestinal inflammation.