Untreated ulcerative colitis can lead to severe dehydration and malnutrition as well as other conditions, like arthritis and osteoporosis. It’s important to speak with a doctor to learn how severe your condition is.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulcers to develop in the colon and rectum.

For some people, surgically removing the colon can cure UC. In other cases, some of the colon can be left behind after surgery and become inflamed, leading to recurring symptoms. In these cases, treatments and lifestyle changes can help ease any chronic symptoms.

When receiving a diagnosis of a chronic condition like UC, one of the hardest things to accept is that long-term medications and lifestyle changes might be necessary.

You may even try to avoid treatment for UC altogether, hoping symptoms will go away on their own. But this comes with risks.

If you’re unsure whether to treat (or continue to treat) your UC, it’s important to know the risks involved in leaving UC untreated.

Flare-ups can be very painful. They often lead to bleeding, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.

You may feel disappointed whenever you experience a flare-up. It can be easy to self-blame — that taco you ate, those drinks you had, that third coffee — but remember, UC is unpredictable. Flare-ups can come at any time, even when you’re doing everything right with your diet and lifestyle.

One way to manage UC flare-ups is to get medical treatment and stick with it. A variety of drug therapies can help manage flares, including:

  • anti-inflammatory drugs
  • steroids
  • biologics
  • immunosuppressants

Check with your doctor when choosing the right drug therapy for you.

People with UC are susceptible to dehydration and vitamin deficiencies, especially when UC is not treated. Diarrhea can lead to significant water and nutrient loss in the body.

Some complications from UC-related dehydration and vitamin deficiencies are:

  • general fatigue
  • body aches
  • headaches
  • seizures
  • urinary and kidney issues

To prevent these issues, you can try:

  • drinking a lot of water
  • avoiding caffeinated, carbonated, or alcoholic drinks
  • avoiding prune or veggie juices

Sometimes these methods alone aren’t enough. Your doctor is there to help you develop strategies to avoid dehydration and vitamin deficiencies during a UC flare-up. They may recommend specific multivitamins that will help you stay hydrated and also boost your immune system.

A common symptom of UC is nausea. Not only is this uncomfortable, but it can lead to other UC complications, such as loss of appetite and weight loss. These effects, in turn, can trigger issues that can result in UC relapses and flare-ups.

Your doctor can help you develop an anti-nausea plan that involves a nutrient-rich, low fiber diet. This plan will ensure you’re eating enough and keep nausea at bay. One strategy is to eat small, fist-size meals that are easily digestible. Puréed foods may also help.

Some key foods and drinks to avoid or limit when you’re feeling nauseous include:

  • high fiber foods, such as raw veggies, beans, and nuts and seeds
  • dairy
  • fried foods
  • spicy foods
  • alcohol
  • chocolate

If UC is left untreated, you may be at risk of developing other conditions. Some of these potential conditions include:

  • Arthritis or general joint pain: In the case of UC-related arthritis, joint pain tends to be limited to a few joints. A treatment plan that’s complementary to your UC treatment can help.
  • Liver damage: While rare, liver damage can become an issue if the liver becomes too inflamed or damaged. In most cases, treatment can reverse the damage.
  • Osteoporosis: Untreated UC can cause severe vitamin D deficiencies, which can lead to osteoporosis. The risk is especially high for older people with UC. Vitamin supplements and diet changes can reduce this risk.
  • Colon cancer: A 2019 review and meta-analysis suggests the more extensive UC is and the longer a person has UC, the higher the likelihood of developing colon cancer. However, frequent monitoring and testing significantly reduces the risk of UC-related colon cancer.

Not treating UC can be detrimental to your health. It’s important to find a doctor you trust and check in with them about your UC. There are many treatment options available. Most treatment plans for UC actively consider the severity of your particular condition.

Remember, you deserve treatment and to prioritize your well-being.