Ischemic Colitis

General Information on Ischemic Colitis

Ischemic colitis is an injury of the large intestines due to a blockage of the arteries that give blood supply to the large intestines. There are two forms of ischemic colitis. There is acute ischemic colitis and there is chronic ischemic colitis. In acute ischemic colitis, the blockage of the arteries is sudden. The most common cause of acute ischemic colitis is a blood clot. In chronic ischemic colitis, the blockage of the arteries is more long-term. The most common cause of chronic ischemic colitis is fatty deposits. The damage to the inside lining of the intestinal wall is dependent of the severity, type, and duration of the blockage. Some of the damage can include ulcers in the intestines. Ischemic colitis main affects people who are fifty years old or older.

Symptoms of Ischemic Colitis

Some of the symptoms of ischemic colitis may be:

Abdominal pain-mainly on the left side
Stools accompanied by red clots
Passing blood instead of stools
Tender abdomen
Abdominal cramping
Diarrhea
Nausea
Vomiting
Urgent bowel movement feeling
Slight fever

Treatments For Ischemic Colitis

The treatment for ischemic colitis is hospitalization. The person cannot eat or drink in order to give the intestines a rest. However, fluids are given intravenously along with electrolytes and nutrients. Due to the fact that people with ischemic colitis are prone to infection, typically antibiotics are also given. These treatments only last for a few days and most people are recovered completely within two weeks. In severe cases, surgery is required.

Personal Experience

Ischemic Colitis - personal experiences