Complications of Ulcerative Colitis

Complications of Ulcerative ColitisThere are a large number of complications that may affect you if you have ulcerative colitis. Some such complications associated with this condition may take place in the digestive tract and include any of the following: tears in the intestines, ulcers or sores, and toxic megacolon. Though ulcerative colitis mostly affects the digestive tract, some complications manifest outside the bowels and may include inflammation of the mouth or eyes, skin reactions, or even kidney stones. While many of these issues may be resolved during treatment for ulcerative colitis, others may require special, separate forms of treatment.

Bleeding Ulcers or Diarrhea

The two major symptoms of ulcerative colitis are bleeding ulcers and diarrhea. If you have diarrhea up to 20 times each day, you may have ulcerative colitis. Furthermore, you might find it hard to sleep since your bowels remain unsettled throughout the night. You may find that when you use the bathroom, you have bloody diarrhea, which means that you could have a bleeding ulcer. Bleeding ulcers typically cause pain and produce the sensation of an urgent need for going to the bathroom. Both diarrhea and bleeding ulcers may lead to other, more serious symptoms. Therefore, it would be worth it to seek medical help early on.

Colon Cancer

Nearly five percent of patients of ulcerative colitis develop colon cancer at some point in their life. That risk depends on how long you remain untreated and how much of the colon has been damaged from inflammation. As an example, if only the lower portion of the rectum and colon have been affected, the risk of colon cancer linking to your ulcerative colitis may not be any higher than an otherwise healthy individual. If your entire colon has been damaged, your risk will be nearly 30% higher than normal.

Other Complications outside of the Colon

Various other complications may arise from ulcerative colitis that you may not even have considered. These conditions are listed below:

  • Arthritis: 5% – 20% of the population is affected; ulcerative colitis may contain a genetic link
  • Bone diseases: osteoporosis may also be linked
  • Eye issues: inflammation of the blood vessels, iris, and cornea
  • Skin conditions: pyoderma gangrenosum, erythema nodosum and mouth ulcers

There are also a number of risks with patients developing blood clots, kidney stones, chronic hepatitis, liver disease, and experiencing inflammation around the bile duct tissues. Due to the current state of medical knowledge on ulcerative colitis as a chronic condition, we are more aware of ways to alleviate your pains and increase your quality of life day to day. With us, you can have a strategy for coping with these complications of which you may have not previously been aware.

Be Proactive and Seek the Help of a Medical Professional

Rather than just coping with your ulcerative colitis condition, it is best that you talk with a professional about the options that you have. To be able to get your ulcerative colitis under control, you will need to have an honest and open conversation with your doctor or physician. With the help of a doctor, you will be able to find the right treatment that will work and prove to be effective in the long-term. If you feel that you might be a victim of ulcerative colitis, it is best that you set up an appointment and see your local doctor in Los Angeles to help fight against this painful and depressing disorder.