Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffYou may be able to reduce your risk of intestinal ischemia by reducing your risk of atherosclerosis. For instance:
- Choose a diet full of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Increase the number of fruits and vegetables you eat and reduce the amount of added sugar, cholesterol and fat.
- Don't smoke. If you don't smoke, don't start. If you do smoke, work with your doctor to find a strategy that will help you stop. Counseling, medications and nicotine replacement products may be options for you.
- Exercise most days of the week. Increase the amount of exercise you get each day. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
- Maintain a healthy weight. If your weight is healthy, work to maintain it by exercising most days of the week. If you need to lose weight, work with your doctor to devise a plan that will help you lose weight slowly. Increase the amount of exercise you get each day and reduce the number of calories you eat.
- Work with your doctor to control other health problems. If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or other conditions that increase your risk of atherosclerosis, work with your doctor to control these conditions.
References
- Brandt LJ, et al. Intestinal ischemia. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisinger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/linkTo?type=bookHome&isbn=978-1-4160-6189-2&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6189-2..X0001-7--TOP&uniq=200844987-3. Accessed May 17, 2010.
- Hauseer SC. Vascular diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/201609212-3/0/1492/0.html. Accessed May 17, 2010.
- Tendler DA, et al. Acute mesenteric ischemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 12, 2010.
- Tendler DA, et al. Chronic mesenteric ischemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 12, 2010.
- Atherosclerosis. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Atherosclerosis/Atherosclerosis_All.html. Accessed May 21, 2010.
- Catheter angiography. RadiologyInfo.org. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=angiocath. Accessed May 20, 2010.
- CT angiography (CTA). RadiologyInfo.org. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=angioct. Accessed May 19, 2010.

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