Ischemic colitis

Overview

Ischemic colitis occurs when blood flow to part of the large intestine is temporarily reduced. This segment of the large intestine is called the colon. This reduced blood flow may be caused by narrowing of the blood vessels supplying the colon. It also may be due to reduced blood flow caused by low blood pressure. The diminished blood flow doesn't provide enough oxygen for the cells in the digestive system. This can result in tissue damage to the affected area of the intestine.

Any part of the colon can be affected, but ischemic colitis most commonly causes pain on the left side of the belly area.

Ischemic colitis can be misdiagnosed because it can easily be confused with other digestive problems. You may need medicine to treat ischemic colitis or prevent infection. Or you may need surgery if your colon has been damaged. Most often, however, ischemic colitis heals on its own.

Symptoms

Symptoms of ischemic colitis can include:

Pain, tenderness or cramping in your belly, which can occur suddenly or happen over time
Bright red or maroon blood in your stool or, at times, passage of blood alone without stool
A feeling of urgency to move your bowels
Diarrhea
Nausea

The risk of severe complications is higher when you have symptoms on the right side of your belly. This is less commonly seen compared with left-sided colitis. People with right-sided colitis tend to have more underlying medical problems, such as high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation and kidney disease. They more frequently have to undergo surgery and also have a higher risk of death.

When to see a doctor

Seek immediate medical care if you have sudden, severe pain in your belly area. Pain that makes you so uncomfortable that you can't sit still or find a comfortable position is a medical emergency.

Contact your health care provider if you develop worrisome symptoms, such as bloody diarrhea. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent serious complications.

Causes

The precise cause of diminished blood flow to the colon isn't always clear. But several factors can increase your risk of ischemic colitis:

Buildup of fatty deposits on the walls of an artery, also called atherosclerosis
Low blood pressure, also called hypotension, associated with dehydration, heart failure, surgery, trauma or shock
Bowel obstruction caused by a hernia, scar tissue or a tumor
Surgery involving the heart or blood vessels, or the digestive or gynecological systems
Other medical disorders that affect your blood, such as inflammation of the blood vessels, called vasculitis, lupus or sickle cell anemia
Cocaine or methamphetamine use
Colon cancer, which is rare

The role of medications

The use of certain medicines also can lead to ischemic colitis, though this is rare. These include:

Some heart and migraine medicines
Hormone medicines, such as estrogen
Antibiotics
Pseudoephedrine
Opioids
Certain medicines for irritable bowel syndrome
Chemotherapy medicines

Risk factors

Risk factors for ischemic colitis include:

Age. The condition occurs mostly frequently in adults older than age 60. Ischemic colitis that occurs in a young adult may be a sign of a blood-clotting irregularity. Or it also may be due to inflammation of the blood vessels, also known as vasculitis.
Sex. Ischemic colitis is more common in women.
Clotting problems. Conditions that affect the way the blood clots, such as factor V Leiden, may increase the risk of ischemic colitis.
High cholesterol, which can lead to atherosclerosis.
Reduced blood flow, due to heart failure, low blood pressure or shock. It may also be caused by certain conditions, such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.
Previous abdominal surgery. Scar tissue that forms after surgery may cause reduced blood flow.
Heavy exercise, such as marathon running, which can lead to reduced blood flow to the colon.
Surgery involving the large artery that pumps blood from your heart to the rest of your body. This artery is called the aorta.

Complications

Ischemic colitis usually gets better on its own within 2 to 3 days. In more-severe cases, complications can include:

Tissue death, also called gangrene, resulting from diminished blood flow
Hole formation, also known as perforation, in the intestine or persistent bleeding
Bowel obstruction, also called ischemic stricture

Prevention

Since the cause of ischemic colitis isn't always clear, there's no certain way to prevent the disorder. Most people who have ischemic colitis recover quickly and may never have another episode.

To prevent recurrent episodes of ischemic colitis, some doctors recommend stopping any medicine that might cause the condition. Making sure to stay adequately hydrated, especially when doing vigorous outdoor activities, is also important — especially for those living in warm climates. A test for clotting problems may be recommended as well, especially if no other cause for ischemic colitis is apparent.

Diagnosis

Ischemic colitis can often be confused with other disorders because their symptoms overlap, especially inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Based on your symptoms, your doctor may recommend these imaging tests:

Abdominal CT scans, to provide images of your colon that can be helpful in ruling out other disorders, such as IBD.
Colonoscopy. This test, which provides detailed images of your colon, can be helpful in diagnosing ischemic colitis. Colonoscopy also can be used to check for cancer, and to see how well a treatment worked.
Stool analysis, to rule out infection as a cause of your symptoms.

Treatment

Treatment for ischemic colitis depends on the severity of your condition.

Symptoms often diminish in 2 to 3 days in mild cases. Your health care provider may recommend:

Antibiotics, to prevent infections
Intravenous fluids, if you are dehydrated
Treatment for any underlying medical condition, such as congestive heart failure or an irregular heartbeat
Avoiding medications that constrict your blood vessels, such as migraine drugs, hormone medications and some heart drugs

Your provider also may schedule follow-up colonoscopies to monitor healing and look for complications.

Surgery

If your symptoms are severe, or your colon has been damaged, you may need surgery to:

Remove dead tissue
Repair a hole in your colon
Remove part of the colon that has narrowed because of scarring and is causing a blockage

The likelihood of surgery may be higher if you have an underlying condition, such as heart disease, atrial fibrillation or kidney failure.

Preparing for an appointment

Go to the emergency room if you have severe stomach pain that makes you so uncomfortable that you can't sit still. You may be referred for immediate surgery to diagnose and treat your condition.

If your symptoms are mild and infrequent, call your health care provider for an appointment. After an initial evaluation, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in digestive disorders, called a gastroenterologist, or a surgeon who specializes in blood vessel disorders, called a vascular surgeon.

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your provider.

What you can do

Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions, such as not eating after midnight on the night before your appointment.
Write down your symptoms, including when they started and how they may have changed or worsened over time.
Write down your key medical information, including other conditions with which you've been diagnosed.
Make a list of all medications, vitamins and supplements that you're taking.
Write down questions to ask during your appointment.

Questions to ask your doctor

What is the most likely cause of my condition?
What kinds of tests do I need?
I have other health problems. How can I best manage these conditions together?
If I need surgery, what will my recovery be like?
How will my diet and lifestyle change after I have surgery?
What follow-up care will I need?

What to expect from your doctor

Your provider is likely to ask you questions about your symptoms, such as:

When did you begin experiencing symptoms?
Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
How severe are your symptoms?
Where do you feel your symptoms the most?
Does anything seem to make your symptoms better?
What, if anything, seems to worsen your symptoms?