patients of UC have a different experience of arthritis pain compared with those who do not have UC.
Patients with UC develop arthritis at a younger age but most do not have joint damage that is long-term or lifelong.
Peripheral arthritis affects arms, legs, elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles. The pain usually moves from one joint to the other.
As stated above it is the most common form of joint pain that occurs in UC patients.
The level of joint inflammation generally corresponds with the extent the colon is inflamed.
The symptoms of peripheral arthritis mostly subside and even disappear as the UC symptoms get controlled.
Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA)
This form of arthritis causes pain in the sacroiliac joints and the lower spine.
The joint pain through Spondylitis appears months or sometimes even years before the patient experiences any UC symptoms.
This type of arthritis can result in the fusion of parts of the spine, leading to the reduction of a person’s range of motion.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a rare complication of UC. It causes inflammation in sacroiliac joints and the spine but can affect the heart valves, eyes, and lungs. It is a severe form of Axial spondyloarthritis.
If a person has Ankylosing spondylitis, it can cause long-term damage and the patient may require getting the colon removed surgically.
This type of arthritis affects the patient’s flexibility by making the back stiff and forcing the patient into a permanently distorted posture.
The effects of this type of arthritis don’t subside or reverse if the patient receives treatment for UC.
People with genetically occurring Urinary tract infection and a predisposition to bowel tends to develop Ankylosing spondylitis.
This usually appears in the early 30 years of life.
How to treat arthritis in patients with UC
A rheumatologist can most efficiently diagnose arthritis in UC patients.
Arthritis patients, who do not have UC, are usually prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or aspirin.
However, if this patient has UC symptoms as well, these medications are not recommended since they can further irritate the intestine.
In such a case, the doctor might prescribe a biological drug that calms the immune system since these medicines treat UC as well as Arthritis.
Since UC patients are more prone to develop arthritis, therefore, it is recommended to reduce their risk of arthritis by eating a healthy and anti-inflammatory diet, lowering stress levels, and avoiding certain foods such as dairy products and fiber-rich products.
- Ulcerative Colitis is the inflammation of the rectum and the colon.
- Arthritis is referred to as any disorder that affects the joints through joint inflammation.
- Ulcerative Colitis can affect other body parts apart from the large intestine.
- One of the most common influences on patients with UC is arthritis.
- Arthritis associated with UC is categorized into three categories: Peripheral arthritis, Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), and Ankylosing spondylitis.
- Peripheral Arthritis is mostly found in UC patients with a 19.6% assurance rate.
- Peripheral Arthritis symptoms subside if the patients get appropriate treatment for UC.
- Ankylosing spondylitis, although occurs rarely in UC patients but causes permanent and severe effects.
- A rheumatologist can most efficiently diagnose arthritis in UC patients.
- Patients of arthritis who have UC are not prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, since they can further irritate the intestine.
- In such a case, a biological drug that calms the immune system is effective since these medicines treat UC as well as Arthritis.
- UC patients can reduce their risk of developing arthritis by taking an anti-inflammatory diet, avoiding dairy products, and lowering stress levels.
What are 3 common complications of someone with ulcerative colitis?
Three common complications, that a person with ulcerative colitis can face, are Severe bleeding, Severe dehydration, and rapidly swelling colon, also called toxic megacolon.
What other autoimmune diseases are common with ulcerati