WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ISCHEMIC COLITIS?
Usually, the person experiences abdominal pain. The pain is felt more often on the left side, but it can occur anywhere in the abdomen. The person frequently passes loose stools that are often accompanied by dark red clots. Sometimes bright red blood is passed without stool. Low-grade fevers (usually below 100 F [37.7 C]) are common. A doctor may suspect ischemic colitis on the basis of the symptoms, especially in a person older than 50. An abdomen that is tender when pressed gently is further evidence of ischemic colitis. A colonoscopy or barium enema is needed to distinguish ischemic colitis from other forms of inflammation, such as infection or inflammatory bowel disease. WHAT CAUSES ISCHEMIC COLITIS? The most common cause of Ischemic Colitis in minor cases is blood clots in the arteries leading to your colon. Chronic cases are usually associated with the buildup of fatty deposits in the blood vessels leading to your colon. Ischemic Colitis may also be caused by or related to other
