What is intestinal ischemia?
Intestinal ischemia describes a variety of conditions that occur when blood flow to your intestines decreases due to a blocked blood vessel, usually an artery.
Intestinal ischemia can affect your small intestine, your large intestine (colon) or both.
Intestinal ischemia is a serious condition that can cause pain and make it difficult for your intestines to work properly.
In severe cases, loss of blood flow to the intestines can damage intestinal tissue and possibly lead to death.
Treatments are available for intestinal ischemia. To improve the chances of recovery, it's crucial to recognize the early symptoms and get medical help right away.
Signs and symptoms of intestinal ischemia can develop suddenly (acute) or gradually (chronic).
Signs and symptoms may be different from one person to the next, but there are some generally recognized patterns that suggest intestinal ischemia.
Signs and symptoms of acute intestinal ischemia typically include:
Sudden abdominal pain that may be mild, moderate or severe
An urgent need to have a bowel movement
Frequent, forceful bowel movements
Abdominal tenderness or distention
Blood in your stool
Mental confusion in older adults
Symptoms of chronic intestinal ischemia can include:
Abdominal cramps or fullness, usually within 30 minutes after eating, and lasting
one to three hours
Abdominal pain that gets progressively worse over weeks or months
Fear of eating because of subsequent pain
Unintended weight loss
Diarrhea
Nausea
Bloating
When to see a doctor
Seek immediate medical care if you have sudden, severe abdominal pain. Pain that makes you so uncomfortable that you can't sit still or find a comfortable position is a medical emergency.
If you have other signs or symptoms that worry you, make an appointment with your doctor.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/intestinal-ischemia/symptoms-
causes/syc-20373946
