Patients with ulcerative colitis limited to the rectum (proctitis) or colitis limited to the final part of the left colon (proctosigmoiditis) tend to be those who carry better ulcerative colitis. Treatment with medications by mouth or enemas may be sufficient. The serious side effects of ulcerative colitis are rare in these patients. Those with more extensive disease, ulcerative colitis side effects is loss of blood from the inflamed intestines that can lead to anemia and may require treatment with iron supplements and even blood transfusions. On rare occasions, the acute colon can dilate up to a large size when inflammation becomes very serious. This condition is known as toxic megacolon. Patients who suffer side effects from toxic megacolon are fever, pain and bloating, dehydration and malnutrition. Unless the patient improves quickly with medication, surgery is usually necessary to prevent breakage of Columbus.
A Scandinavian study published more than 500 patients with ulcerative colitis, we performed them tracked until 10 years after the diagnosis, and found that the mortality rate did not differ from the population in general. In addition, colectomy accumulated after 10 years rate was 9.8%, almost 50% of the patients were relapse-free in the last five years of the study, and only 20% of patients with proctitis or left side disease progressed to pancolitis. Side effects of ulcerative colitis can affect other parts of the body: ten percent of patients may develop inflammation of the joints (arthritis). Some patients have a sore lower back due to arthritis of the joints sacro iliac. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis that affects the vertebral joints of individuals with ulcerative colitis. There seems to be a higher incidence of ankylosing spondylitis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. In rare cases, patients can develop on the skin Red (erythema knotty) nodules. Others may have, red and painful eye (uveitis, episcleritis).
Due to these side effects of ulcerative colitis, there may be a risk for permanent impairment of vision, eye pain or redness, they are symptoms that require a medical evaluation. Diseases of the liver and bile ducts may also be associated with side effects of ulcerative colitis. For example, in patients with a rare disease called sclerosing cholangitis, repeated infections and inflammation in the bile ducts and can cause relapsing fever, yellowing of the skin (jaundice), cirrhosis, and the need for a liver transplant. Finally, patients with ulcerative colitis may also have a greater tendency to form blood clots, especially when it is the active disease. In summary: the majority of people with ulcerative colitis can lead a normal and active life with few restrictions. Although there is no cure, the disorder is You can control with current treatments. For some patients, the course of the disease may be more difficult and complicated, requiring more tests and intensive therapy. Surgery is sometimes necessary. In all cases, follow-up with the doctor care is essential to control the disease and prevent and treat any complications that might arise.