Treating Ischemic Colitis
August 4, 2009
Ischemic colitis is characterized by inflammation of the large intestine or colon. This is largely a temporary condition caused by sudden decrease in blood flow to the colon.
Although most patients of ischemic colitis easily recover from this illness, but in few cases it may lead to permanent damage of the large intestine.
Ischemic colitis causes
Ischemic colitis can be acute or chronic in nature. In most instances, blood clots in the arteries that carry blood to the colon are responsible for ischemic colitis. Deposition of fats on the walls of these arteries causes atherosclerosis, which is responsible for chronic ischemic colitis.
Ischemic colitis can also be the result of some other illness, such as vasculitis, hernia, diabetes, colon cancer and side effect of abdominal radiation treatment. Sometimes people suffering from a condition known as hypercoagulable state, characterized by thickening of blood and excessive blood clotting, might also suffer from ischemic colitis.
Sometimes acute ischemic colitis could be the side effect of certain medications. Certain classes of drugs prescribed for irritable bowel syndrome, blood pressure, heart disease, migraine, inflammation and estrogen replacement therapy could cause ischemic colitis. Ischemic colitis can also develop from bacterial, viral or parasitic infections and abdominal surgery.
Ischemic colitis symptoms
Pain usually on the lower left side of the abdomen, abdominal muscle cramp, fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are symptoms of ischemic colitis. Blood would pass through the stool. Blood might pass through the anus even without excretion. Sometimes obstruction of blood flow to the right side of the colon can also inhibit blood supply to the small intestine. In such cases, ischemic colitis also causes pain in the upper part of the abdomen, which worsens especially after eating. Ischemic intestine can become fatal if it obstructs blood flow both to the large and small intestine.
Ischemic colitis home remedies
Acute ischemic colitis needs immediate medical attention. However, certain home remedies could be beneficial in treating chronic ischemic colitis and preventing recurrence of this illness. Probiotics keeps the colon healthy. You should regularly consume probiotic rich food, particularly homemade fresh yogurt. Watermelons are also beneficial for ischemic colitis patients. Watermelon contains citrulline, a type of amino acid, which could naturally improve blood circulation.
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