What Are The Complications Of Ulcerative Colitis?

Question: What Are The Complications Of Ulcerative Colitis?

Answer: There are some ulcerative colitis (UC) complications (also sometimes called systemic or extra-intestinal symptoms) that are not directly related to the inflammation in the colon. These can include delayed growth in children, eye disease, arthritis, skin rashes or lesions, and mouth ulcers. It's unclear why some complications occur outside the colon in people who have ulcerative colitis. However, these extra-intestinal symptoms often track with the course of the inflammatory bowel disease: During a flare-up they worsen, and during periods of remission they improve.

Delayed Growth in Children

Children who have UC are at risk for delayed growth, which may affect their ultimate height as adults. These growth problems can occur as a result of malnutrition, or from treatment with drugs such as corticosteroids. Malnutrition can be caused by the inability of the body to absorb necessary nutrients from food and also from poor diet.

Eye Disease

Eye conditions that can occur with UC include uveitis, episcleritis, and dry eyes. Most eye conditions will improve when progress is made in treating the underlying UC, but some may require treatment.

• Uveitis is the inflammation of the middle layer of the eye wall, and symptoms include light sensitivity, pain, redness, blurred vision and headaches. Uveitis is commonly treated with corticosteroids; if left untreated it could result in blindness, glaucoma, or a detached retina.


• Inflammation in the white of the eye is called episcleritis. Symptoms include pain and reddening, and the condition is treated with a vasoconstrictor or a corticosteroid.


• Dry eyes are caused by a lack of tears in the eye. The lack of moisture can result in eye irritation and eventual blindness. Dry eyes are treated with artificial tears and vitamin A supplements; any infections resulting from the dryness may need treatment with antibiotics.

Arthritis

Joint pain may be peripheral arthritis, which causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. The pain can migrate from one joint to another and may last for several days or even weeks. Peripheral arthritis does not cause permanent damage to joints and will often improve when the UC is successfully treated. Treatment includes resting painful joints and applying moist heat. Other forms of arthritis may also occur with UC, and may be a complication of either the disease or the medications used to treat it.

Skin Conditions

Erythema nodosum and pyoderma gangrenosum are skin conditions that may occur before or during a UC flare-up. They often improve with remission.

Erythema nodosum are painful red nodules that develop on the arms or lower legs. This condition tends to affect more women than men.

Pyoderma gangrenosum may appear as a blister on the legs or arms, usually at the site of a minor trauma, such as a cut. The blister may progress into an ulcer that requires treatment with steroids or antibiotics.

Mouth Ulcers

Aphthous stomatitis are small ulcers inside mouth. No treatment is usually necessary, but prescription mouthwashes may help keep the area clean. In some cases, topical anti-inflammatories and anesthetics may help with the discomfort and promote healing.

_Sources:

_{Behrens C. "Oral Manifestations." University of Washington HIV Web Study. 6 Oct 2008. 15 Mar 2010.}

_{Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. Extraintestinal Complications: Eye Disorders." 30 Jan 2009. 2 Mar 2010.}

_{Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. Extraintestinal Complications: Skin Disorders." 28 Apr 2006. 2 Mar 2010.}

_{WomensHealth.gov. "Inflammatory Bowel Disease." U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 17 Aug 2009. 27 Feb 2010.}