What are the symptoms of right-sided colitis?

Under normal circumstances, the symptoms of right-sided colitis are mainly localized to the right side of the intestine and surrounding areas. The core manifestations include right-sided abdominal pain, diarrhea, changes in stool characteristics, abnormal bowel movements, and abdominal tenderness. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Right-sided abdominal pain: When the mucosa of the right colon is affected by the disease, patients often experience pain on the right side of the abdomen. This pain is typically described as dull, distending, or paroxysmal cramping, commonly located in the lower right or upper right quadrant. Pain may worsen after consuming spicy or greasy foods or following physical exertion, and in some patients, it may temporarily subside after defecation.

2. Diarrhea: Intestinal inflammation stimulates abnormal mucosal secretion, leading to diarrhea characterized by increased frequency of bowel movements—ranging from several times to dozens of times per day. Stools are typically loose, mushy, or watery, and may contain undigested food particles. The severity of diarrhea generally correlates with the degree of inflammation.

3. Changes in stool characteristics: Mucosal congestion and erosion caused by inflammation may result in mucus or pus mixed with blood in the stool. The color may appear dark red or streaked with blood. Some patients may also experience alternating episodes of mucous stools and hard, dry stools, which is often related to intestinal dysfunction.

4. Abnormal bowel movements: In addition to diarrhea, some patients may feel a persistent sensation of incomplete evacuation—even when no stool is present, there is a strong urge to defecate. Others may experience prolonged intervals between bowel movements or constipation, primarily due to inflammation disrupting normal intestinal motility rhythms.

5. Abdominal tenderness: Pressing on the right side of the abdomen may elicit distinct tenderness at the site of inflammation. Pain may briefly intensify upon release of pressure. If inflammation is severe or accompanied by intestinal bloating, the area of tenderness may expand slightly.

In daily life, it is important to maintain a light diet and avoid spicy, raw, cold, or coarse foods that may irritate the intestines. Keeping regular bowel habits and reducing intestinal strain can help alleviate inflammatory symptoms and stabilize the condition.