Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). According to estimates, it may affect as many as 907,000 people in the United States.
In this article, we look at the potential complications of UC. We also cover the symptoms of each complication to help people with UC detect serious problems early and get urgent care where necessary.
Can you die from ulcerative colitis?
While there is no cure for ulcerative colitis, it is not usually life-threatening.
Although UC is a lifelong condition, it is not usually life-threatening.
There is no cure for UC, but treatments can help prevent flare-ups, or episodes of symptoms, and allow people to achieve and maintain symptom-free periods called remission.
As a result of these treatments, people with UC and other forms of IBD tend to have survival rates that are similar to those of people without the disease.
However, UC can increase a person’s risk of developing severe complications, especially if the disease does not respond to treatment.
Life-threatening complications
A person with UC may have a higher risk of the following health problems:
Toxic megacolon
Although it is rare, doctors consider toxic megacolon to be the most serious complication of IBD.
Toxic megacolon occurs when inflammation of the colon causes it to enlarge. This enlargement prevents the colon from contracting correctly, resulting in a buildup of gas.
As the colon swells with gas, it is increasingly likely to burst. If the colon bursts, it can release harmful bacteria and toxins into the bloodstream.
Symptoms
Symptoms of toxic megacolon include:
Without prompt treatment, toxic megacolon can cause the following life-threatening complications:
- perforation of the colon, which is a hole or tear in it
- bleeding and blood loss
- sepsis
- shock
Signs of shock include:
- a weak pulse
- clammy skin
- dilated pupils
- confusion
- rapid or shallow breathing
Perforation of the colon
Long-term inflammation and ulcers in the colon can weaken the intestinal wall. Over time, these weaknesses may develop into a perforation.
A perforation can allow bacteria and other intestinal contents to leak out into the abdomen, causing a serious condition called peritonitis.
Peritonitis is the inflammation of the peritoneum, which is the lining of the abdomen. This condition may cause the abdomen to fill with fluid. It can also lead to blood poisoning and sepsis, which is a whole-body inflammatory response to infection.
One in three people who develop sepsis die from the condition.
Symptoms
It is vital to know the symptoms of a perforated colon to help prevent peritonitis and sepsis. According to the Sepsis Alliance, these may include:
- severe stomach pain
- nausea
- vomiting
- chills
- fever
A perforated colon is a medical emergency that usually requires surgery to repair the hole in the intestines.
People who experience sepsis also require urgent treatment with antibiotics and fluids.
Colorectal cancer
A person with ulcerative colitis should have a colonoscopy every 1 to 2 years.
According to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation (CFF), between 5 and 8 percent of people with UC will develop colorectal cancer within 20 years of their diagnosis.
The increased risk of developing colorectal cancer is most likely to affect people with severe UC and those who have had symptoms for 8 to 10 years.
People who have not received treatment for UC also have a higher risk of colorectal cancer.
People with these risk factors are more likely to develop dysplasia, in which abnormal cells are present in the lining of the colon or rectum. These abnormal cells may become cancerous over time.
The CFF recommend that people with UC take the following steps to reduce their risk of colorectal cancer:
- have a colonoscopy every 1 to 2 years
- visit a gastroenterologist at least once a year
- discuss symptoms and concerns during regular checkups
- continue to take their prescribed medications even if they feel better
- notify a doctor if a family member develops colorectal cancer
- exercise regularly
- eat a healthful diet
Symptoms
A person with colorectal cancer may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- diarrhea or constipation that lasts for more than a few days
- a constant feeling of needing to empty the bowels
- rectal bleeding with bright red blood
- dark stools
- abdominal pain or cramping
- weakness and fatigue
- unexplained weight loss
Blood clots
Numerous studies have shown that people with IBD have an increased risk of blood clot formation, or thrombosis.
When a blood clot blocks a vein in a limb, this is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Sometimes, part of the clot can break away and travel to the lungs, which is a potentially fatal complication called a pulmonary embolism.
According to a recent study, people with IBD have a risk of thrombosis that is up to 3 times higher than that of a person who does not have IBD.
Doctors do not know exactly why IBD increases the risk of these blood clots. However, chronic inflammation may trigger a chemical reaction that thickens the blood, increasing the likelihood of clots forming.
According to a 2015 review, the following factors may also increase the risk of blood clots in people with IBD:
- dehydration
- prolonged inactivity
- surgery
- steroid therapy
- oral contraceptives
- hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- using a central venous catheter
Symptoms
The symptoms of DVT include:
- swelling and tenderness in a limb
- a limb that is warm to the touch
- reddish-blue skin discoloration
Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include:
- rapid heart rate
- sudden shortness of breath
- sharp or stabbing chest pain that worsens with deep breathing
- a cough with bloody mucus
Anyone who experiences any of the above symptoms should seek emergency medical attention.
Primary sclerosing cholangitis
Fatigue is a common symptom of primary sclerosing cholangitis.
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a condition that involves inflammation and damage to the bile ducts. The bile ducts are tubes that transport digestive enzymes out of the liver and into the digestive system.
PSC affects about 3 percent of people with IBD and generally only occurs when the bowel disease is extensive.
PSC is a lifelong disease that typically progresses slowly, and it also increases the risk of some potentially life-threatening complications.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of PSC include:
- fatigue
- depression
- jaundice, which is a yellowing of the eyes and skin
- intense itching, especially on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- chills
- fever
In the later stages of PSC, a person may experience the following complications, which can indicate severe liver disease:
| Condition | Description | Symptoms |
| Variceal bleeding | Bleeding from the veins in the esophagus (food pipe) | anemia vomiting blood black stools |
| Ascites | Fluid in the abdomen | abdominal pain and discomfort difficulty breathing hernias |
| Hepatic encephalopathy | Brain changes due to harmful levels of toxins in the blood | confusion forgetfulness personality or mood changes poor concentration changes in sleep patterns slow movement seizures slurred speech |
A person who experiences any of the above symptoms should seek urgent medical attention. Severe liver disease can be life-threatening.
Summary
Although doctors do not usually classify UC as a life-threatening disease, having this condition can increase the risk of more severe health complications.
People who are familiar with the symptoms that UC complications can cause will be better equipped to detect any changes in their health.
Early recognition of these symptoms can allow people with suspected complications to seek treatment without delay.