Contents:
- Medical Video: Small bowel ischemia & infarction - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology
- What causes large intestinal ischemia?
- Signs and symptoms of large intestinal ischemia
- What is the right treatment for this condition?
- Are there complications from large intestinal ischemia?
- Can this condition be prevented?
Medical Video: Small bowel ischemia & infarction - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology
The whole body needs an optimal amount of blood supply, including intestinal organs. When blood flow to the large intestine is blocked, of course this will affect the work of the intestine, even causing pain. In the medical world, this condition is known as large intestinal ischemia or ischemic colitis. So, what is the main cause of this condition? Is this disease dangerous?
What causes large intestinal ischemia?
The work of all organs, including the intestine, can function normally if supported by sufficient blood flow. But when there is a blockage in the arteries to the large intestine, it can result in reduced blood supply.
This makes the large intestine not get enough oxygen and food to be able to carry out its functions. If left unchecked, this condition will cause large intestinal ischemia.
Blockages that occur in arteries are not always the same for everyone. Certain things can result in obstructed blood flow, such as due to the accumulation of fat or plaque in the arterial wall. This condition is known as atherosclerosis.
In addition, the presence of blood clots that block arteries can also result in reduced or even cessation of blood flow to the intestine. Usually, this blood clot often attacks arrhythmia sufferers. Low blood pressure (hypotension) due to heart failure, major surgery, and trauma can also trigger a decrease in blood flow.
Signs and symptoms of large intestinal ischemia
Colon ischemia is generally more often experienced by the elderly who are around 60 years old and above, but do not rule out the possibility of a younger age can also experience it. Be vigilant if you suddenly feel pain and cramps in your left abdomen, this is the most typical symptom of large intestinal ischemia.
Especially if accompanied by fecal bleeding, but usually not too severe. Some signs and symptoms that you should immediately realize if you have large intestinal ischemia, namely:
- Stomach ache after eating
- The urge to always want to defecate
- Diarrhea
- Bloated
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
- Body weight gradually decreases
The longer the abdominal pain will develop on the right side, it may be due to a blockage of arteries that lead to other parts of the large intestine. It is important not to delay consulting with a doctor whenever you feel any suspicious symptoms.
What is the right treatment for this condition?
Treatment for the condition of the intestine that has this blockage usually can heal by itself. In addition, you may receive intravenous fluids to keep your body optimally hydrated, while resting the intestine during the healing period.
In conditions that are still relatively mild, treatment with drugs can be one way to enlarge the arteries that narrow and destroy blood clots that freeze, for example consumption of thrombolytic drugs and vasodilators.
If your case is more serious, surgery may be needed to remove and repair damaged intestinal tissue.
Are there complications from large intestinal ischemia?
Although it can heal by itself for the mild category, but large intestinal ischemia cannot be underestimated. Because the most serious complications can arise, namely gangrene. Gangrene occurs when blood flow to the large intestine is blocked, as a result the tissue dies and is damaged so surgery is needed to remove it.
Various other complications that can arise, such as:
- Perforation, which is a hole in the intestine
- Peritonitis, inflammation of the tissue lining the stomach
- Inflammation of the intestine
- Sepsis, due to a bacterial infection that spreads through the bloodstream and can be fatal risk
Can this condition be prevented?
Not much different from other diseases, the risk of large intestinal ischemia can be suppressed by routinely applying a healthy lifestyle early on which includes exercising regularly, eating nutritious foods, and reducing or avoiding cigarettes.
Always routinely monitoring cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and heart health can also help prevent blockage of blood flow in the intestine.
As for those of you who have experienced large intestinal ischemia, doctors usually recommend that you stop taking any type of drug that can trigger recurrence of blockages in the bloodstream. For that, make sure you tell your doctor about what types of drugs you are regularly consuming.
