Patient was educated on complications of ulcerative colitis as follows:
- Activation of autoimmune disorders
- As the cause of the inflammatory bowel disease involves an abnormal autoimmune response, this can also lead to exacerbation of any underlying autoimmune diseases, such as, rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, and dry eyes.
- Colon cancer
- Chronically inflamed colon from ulcerative colitis has an increased risk to turn malignant and can lead to developing colon cancer.
- Severe dehydration
- Chronic inflammation of the large intestinal wall with ulceration of the wall can result in reduced water reabsorption from the large intestine and can present with symptoms of dehydration, such as, dry skin and rapid heartbeat.
