Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Rare Complications

Topic Overview

Rare complications of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease) include:

  • Problems with blood vessels, such as blood clots (thromboemboli) or inflammation of an artery. These problems are rare but can cause serious complications or even death.
  • Scarring of the pancreas.
  • Inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart (pericarditis).
  • Inflammation of the blood vessels in the lungs.
  • Chronic inflammation of the large airway tubes (bronchi) in the lungs.
  • Uncommon forms of anemia related to poor absorption of nutrients from the intestines.

Related Information

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerArvydas D. Vanagunas, MD - Gastroenterology
Last RevisedOctober 8, 2012
By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: October 8, 2012
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Arvydas D. Vanagunas, MD - Gastroenterology

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