Ulcerative colitis
If you have ulcerative colitis, you could develop further problems.
Some of the main complications of ulcerative colitis are described below.
People with ulcerative colitis are at an increased risk of developing Osteoporosis , when the bones become weak and are morelikely to fracture.
Thisisn't directly caused by ulcerative colitis, but can develop as a side effect of the prolongeduse of corticosteroid medication . It can also be caused by thedietary changes someone with the condition may take such as avoiding dairy products, if theybelieve it could be triggering their symptoms.
If you're thought to be at risk of osteoporosis, the health of your bones will be regularly monitored. You may also be advised to take medication or supplements of vitamin D and calcium to strengthen your bones.
Ulcerative colitis, and some of the treatments for it, can affect growth and delay puberty.
Children and young people with ulcerative colitis should have their height and body weight measured regularly by healthcare professionals. This should be checked against average measurements for their age.
These checks should be carried out every 3-12 months, depending on the person's age, the treatment they're having and the severity of their symptoms.
If there are problems with your child's growth or development, they may be referred to a paediatrician (a specialist in treating children and young people).
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), where the bile ducts become progressively inflamed and damaged over time,is a rare complication of ulcerative colitis. Bile ducts are small tubes used to transport bile (digestive juice) out of the liver and into the digestive system.
PSC doesn't usually cause symptoms until it's at an advanced stage. Symptoms can include:
There's currently no specific treatment for PSC, although medications can be used to relievesome of the symptoms, such as itchy skin. In more severe cases, a liver transplant may be required.
Toxic megacolon is a rare and serious complication ofsevere ulcerative colitis, where inflammation in the colon causes gas tobecome trapped, resulting in thecolon becoming enlarged andswollen.
This is potentially very dangerous as it cancause the colonto rupture (split) and cause infection in the blood ( septicaemia ).
The symptoms of a toxic megacolon include:
Toxic megacolon can be treated with fluids, antibiotics and steroids given intravenously (directly into a vein). If medications don't improve the conditions quickly then surgical removal of the colon (known as a colectomy) may be needed.
Treating symptoms of ulcerative colitis before they become severe can help prevent toxic megacolon.
People who have ulcerative colitis have an increased risk of developing bowel cancer (cancer of the colon, rectum or bowel), especially if the condition is severe or involves most of the colon. The longer you have ulcerative colitis, the greater the risk.
People with ulcerative colitis are often unaware they have bowel cancer as the initial symptoms of this type of cancer are similar. These include:
Therefore, you'll usually have regular check-ups to look for signs of bowel cancer from about 10 years after your symptoms first develop.
Check-ups will involve examining your bowel with a colonoscope a long, flexible tube containing a camera that's inserted into your rectum. The frequency of the colonoscopy examinations will increase the longer you live with the condition, and will also depend on factors such as how severe your ulcerative colitis is and if you have a family history of bowel cancer. This can vary between every one to five years.
To reduce the risk of bowel cancer, it's important to
Taking aminosalicylates as prescribedcan also help reduce your risk of bowel cancer.
It is pumped around the body by the heart.
Find out about ulcerative colitis, a long-term (chronic) condition where the colon and rectum (large intestine or large bowel) become inflamed.
The exact cause of ulcerative colitis is unknown, although it's thought to be the result of a problem with the immune system.
Your GP will first ask you about your symptoms, your general health and your medical history.
Treatment for ulcerative colitis depends on how severe the condition is and how often your symptoms flare up.
If you have ulcerative colitis, there's a risk you could develop further problems.
If you have ulcerative colitis, there are some things you can do yourself to help keep your symptoms under control and reduce your risk of complications.
Tony has had ulcerative colitis for more than 15 years. Having tried most medications, he is now on infliximab.