Colitis refers to inflammation of the colon, which is the large intestine. There are several types of colitis, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s colitis, which is inflammation of the colon due to Crohn’s disease. If left untreated, colitis can lead to serious complications.
Symptoms of Untreated Colitis
Common symptoms of untreated colitis include:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Rectal bleeding
- Fatigue
- Unintended weight loss
- Loss of appetite
These symptoms may persist for weeks or months if colitis goes untreated. The inflammation can spread deeper into the colon walls and lead to further problems.
Complications of Untreated Colitis
Several potentially serious complications can develop if colitis is left untreated. These include:
Perforation
One of the most dangerous complications of untreated colitis is perforation, or the development of a hole in the colon wall. This can allow contents of the colon to leak into the abdominal cavity and cause infection. Perforation requires emergency surgery to repair the hole and clean out the abdominal cavity.
Toxic megacolon
In rare cases, untreated colitis can lead to toxic megacolon, which is extreme dilation or swelling of the colon. This is a life-threatening condition that also requires immediate surgical intervention to remove the colon.
Colorectal cancer
People with long-standing, untreated colitis have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. Regular screening with colonoscopy is recommended to detect any precancerous or cancerous changes.
Malnutrition
The inflammation and symptoms of colitis can impair the body’s ability to absorb key nutrients from food. This puts someone at risk of becoming malnourished or deficient in proteins, calories, vitamins and minerals.
Dehydration
The diarrhea associated with colitis causes significant fluid losses from the body. If the fluids are not adequately replaced, severe dehydration can develop.
Bowel obstruction
Scarring and inflammation from colitis can cause narrowing of the colon, leading to partial or complete blockage of the intestines.
Abscesses
Ulcers or perforations in the colon can allow pockets of pus (abscesses) to form within the abdominal cavity.
Fistulas
Ulcers may tunnel through the intestinal wall, forming abnormal connections called fistulas between the colon and other structures like the bladder, vagina or skin.
Sepsis
Bacteria may enter the bloodstream from ulcers or a perforated colon, causing a dangerous systemic infection called sepsis.
Treatments for Colitis
Colitis requires proper treatment under the care of a gastroenterologist to avoid complications. Treatment options include:
Medications
Drugs used to treat colitis include:
- Aminosalicylates (5-ASAs) – Reduce gut inflammation
- Corticosteroids – Strong anti-inflammatories
- Immunomodulators – Suppress the immune system
- Biologics – Target specific proteins involved in inflammation
- Antibiotics – Treat bacterial overgrowth or infection
- Anti-diarrheal agents
Dietary Changes
Eating smaller, frequent meals and avoiding foods that aggravate symptoms may help reduce colitis flares. A low residue, low fiber diet is sometimes recommended during flares.
Surgery
For severe, chronic ulcerative colitis not responsive to other treatments, surgery to remove the entire colon (colectomy) may be necessary. This can cure the colitis. An ostomy pouch or J-pouch reconstruction allows for bowel movements post-surgery.
Conclusion
Leaving colitis untreated allows inflammation to penetrate deeper layers of the colon and causes harmful complications like perforation, toxic megacolon, cancer, malnutrition and more. Working closely with a gastroenterologist to manage colitis with medications, dietary changes or surgery if needed, is important to avoid these issues and achieve remission.