Colitis is a medical term that describes inflammation of the large intestine, or colon. Colitis can be a result of the immune system attacking the cells of the colon, leading to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Crohn's disease is one form of IBD that can cause many serious and potentially fatal health problems.
Severe Colitis
Crohn's disease is one of the more severe forms of colitis because it can be difficult to control and the chronic inflammation can lead to tissue damage. Although some people do die as a result of Crohn's disease, these fatalities are usually a result of the serious complications to which Crohn's can lead, not direct symptoms of colitis.
Bowel Obstruction
As MayoClinic.com explains, Crohn's disease and other forms of colitis, including ulcerative colitis and other forms of IBD, can lead to bowel obstruction. Chronic inflammation can cause the walls of the large intestine to grow. This can cause the large intestine to narrow and potentially get blocked. Blockages in the intestines cause a buildup of fecal matter and can potentially cause the colon to rupture. Blocked bowels is a medical emergency and needs to be treated before the intestines rupture.
Fistulas
As the University of Maryland Medical Center explains, Crohn's and other forms of colitis can cause abscesses to form in the intestines. If these abscesses form near other parts of the intestines, new connections may be made between previously unconnected portions of the intestines, also known as fistulas. Fistulas become infected easily and are also weak, which can cause them to rupture.
Colon Cancer
Another way that some forms of colitis such as Crohn's can be fatal is through the development of colon cancer. Chronic inflammation of the colon can cause cell damage to the colon cells, which can cause them to become cancerous. MayoClinic.com notes that Crohn's disease is a major risk factor for developing colon cancer, although more than 90 percent of all people with Crohn's do not develop colon cancer.
Malnutrition
Patients with colitis often experience malnutrition. Part of this is because they restrict their diet to avoid aggravating the disease. They also may have trouble absorbing nutrients as a result of intestinal inflammation. This can cause malnutrition as well as iron deficiency and low calcium levels, which can lead to anemia and osteoporosis, respectively. While malnutrition is rarely fatal, it can weaken the body and make it more susceptible to other potentially fatal conditions.
