Introduction
Ischemic colitis is damage to the large intestine due to reduced blood flow (ischemia) to the colon. The colon is the last section of the large intestine, where stool is formed. The reduced blood flow may lead to the death of cells (necrosis) in the lining of the colon, damaging the colon and often causing bleeding.
Most cases of ischemic colitis are temporary. In other cases, blood flow does not improve, and parts of the colon start to die. This is extremely serious and even life threatening. If this happens, surgery may be required. In some cases, parts of the colon may need to be removed.
What are the causes?
Ischemic colitis results from a decrease in the blood supply to the colon. Many conditions can cause this, such as:
Heart
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Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
You have blood in your stool.
You have abdominal pain or cramps.
You have constipation.
You have nausea or vomiting.
Get help right away if:
You have a moderate to large amount of loose bloody stools with clots of dark or bright red blood.
You have severe abdominal pain.
Your abdominal pain has not improved after 24 hours.
You have a fever.
You have not been able to have a bowel movement, and you are in pain and vomiting.
You have shortness of breath.
You are very tired (lethargic) or have confusion.
Summary
Ischemic colitis is damage to the large intestine due to reduced blood flow (ischemia) to the colon.
Some of the symptoms of this condition include abdominal pain or tenderness, bloody stools, and an urgent need to have a bowel movement.
Diagnosis usually includes a procedure to examine the inside of the colon using a scope passed through the rectum