According to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, up to 25 percent of people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have symptoms of arthritis, which is an inflammation of the joints.
The joint pain that ulcerative colitis (UC) causes may have different characteristics than the pain of arthritis without IBD. Doctors may also treat it differently.
In this article, learn about the link between UC and joint pain, including how to manage and treat the pain.
What’s the connection?
While most of the common symptoms of UC are gastrointestinal, such as bloating, diarrhea, and bloody stool, this disease can also affect other parts of the body. Joint pain is one of the most common symptoms of UC not related to the stomach and intestines.
Two forms of joint pain may affect people with UC:
- Arthralgia, which is only joint pain. It is a symptom of arthritis.
- Arthritis, a term that covers joint pain, inflammation, swelling, and redness.
People with UC usually have a different experience of arthritis than those with an arthritis diagnosis but no IBD. They may develop it at a younger age but not have long-term joint damage.
Joint pain tends to occur during a UC flare and disappear in periods of remission when other symptoms are under control.
It is essential that people visit a rheumatologist for a proper diagnosis so they can get the best treatment and learn techniques for managing their symptoms.
People with peripheral arthritis but without UC can usually control pain and swelling with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or aspirin.
However, doctors do not usually recommend these medications to people with UC because they can irritate and further inflame the intestines.
Instead, the following medications may be necessary to control both the joint and intestinal inflammation and pain:
- steroids
- immune-suppressing drugs
- disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs
- biologic drugs
Biologic drugs can also treat axial arthritis and ankylosis spondylitis.
In addition to medical treatments, people can try home remedies to help alleviate pain. These include:
- using heating pads
- applying a warm, wet compress
- stretching and doing range-of-motion exercises
- icing painful areas of the body
- elevating the affected joint
Reducing arthritis risk
People with UC can reduce their risk of arthritis and joint pain by:
- Eating a healthful diet. A registered dietitian can help create a suitable anti-inflammatory diet plan.
- Avoiding certain foods. It is best to limit or avoid foods that may aggravate UC symptoms, such as dairy products and high-fiber, high-fat, or spicy foods.
- Lowering stress levels. Limiting exposure to stressful situations, seeing a therapist, and learning relaxation techniques, such as meditation, may help.
- Taking medication as a doctor has prescribed.
Takeaway
Ulcerative colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Along with gastrointestinal symptoms, it can cause painful and swollen joints.
The level of joint pain in people with UC often correlates with the extent of the intestinal inflammation. Any inflammation of the joints does not usually result in long-term damage.
A doctor can provide advice on treating both UC and any associated joint pain.
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