Can ulcerative colitis (UC) cause health problems in parts of the body other than the colon?
Yes. UC can cause a number of problems outside of the colon including: • joint pain or arthritis, • inflammation in the eye, • liver and bile duct disease, • skin rashes, • anemia, and • kidney stones. No one knows why these health problems are common in people with UC. The immune system may trigger inflammation in other parts of the body. These problems are usually mild and go away when the colitis is treated. Osteoporosis is also more common among people with UC. This may be because their diets don’t contain enough calcium and vitamin D. Plus, UC can prevent the body from absorbing enough calcium. Corticosteroids, medicines used to treat UC, can also boost a person’s risk of osteoporosis.
