Ulcerative colitis is a medical condition affecting the digestive tract that causes ulcers to form in the lining of the large intestine--also called the colon-- and in the rectum. Symptoms of the condition include weight loss, anemia, pain in the abdomen and bloody diarrhea. Sores may also appear on the skin. There is no known cure for ulcerative colitis, but medications can help control the condition and lessen the severity of the symptoms. For individuals who do not respond to medication, a surgeon may remove the colon. Some possible complications might occur with the disease.
Colorectal Cancer
Having ulcerative colitis increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Around 5 percent of individuals affected by this disease also develop cancer of the colon, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC).
Bleeding
The ulcers in the colon and rectum may cause severe bleeding, according to Medline Plus. This bleeding appears as bright red blood in diarrhea or as tarry stool. The condition may also cause blood clots.
Dehydration
The diarrhea associated with ulcerative colitis can cause an individual to experience symptoms of dehydration because of the fluid imbalance in the body. Some symptoms of dehydration include an increase in thirst and a decrease in urine production.
Joint Inflammation
Ulcerative colitis can cause ankylosing spondylitis to occur. This condition causes inflammation of joints in the spine. The inflammation causes the vertebrae to fuse together, causing pain and a decrease in movement in the spine. The same joint inflammation may occur in additional joints, causing arthritis to occur. Arthritis causes pain in the affected joint.
Ulcers
Ulcerative colitis may cause ulcers and lesions to form outside the colon. The other places the ulcers can occur are on the skin, in the mouth and in the eye, according to Medline Plus.
Liver Disease
Liver disease is an associated complication of ulcerative colitis. Symptoms associated with liver disease include a yellowing of the skin, nausea, fatigue and weight loss.
Perforation
The ulcers in the intestine may increase in severity. The severe ulcers can erode all the way through the wall of the intestine, causing a hole or tear in the intestines. This is referred to as a perforation of the intestines. A perforated intestine can cause a massive abdominal infection and death. Symptoms of this condition include severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea and vomiting.
