Is Ulcerative Colitis a Symptom of a Serious Disease?

Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation in the colon, causing pain, ulcers, and diarrhea. In many cases, ulcerative colitis is not a serious disease. In some cases, however, it can be connected to more serious conditions.

Causes

• The causes of ulcerative colitis are still mostly unknown. Genetic factors do seem to play a role, as do abnormalities in the immune system, but ulcerative colitis is not caused by other diseases. So, no, ulcerative colitis is not a symptom of a more serious condition---it is a disease unto itself.

Ulcerative Colitis and Cancer

• People who have ulcerative colitis are significantly more likely than other people to develop colon cancer. If you have ulcerative colitis, your doctor may recommend that you have regular colonoscopies to check for cancerous cells.

Toxic Megacolon

• Toxic megacolon is a rare but dangerous complication of ulcerative colitis. It is caused when whole the colon swells suddenly, placing it at risk of rupturing.

Arthritis

• While the connection between the two diseases is still unclear, ulcerative colitis may also cause you to develop arthritis.

Liver Disease

• Ulcerative colitis may also cause damage to the liver, potentially leading to serious liver disease.