Ischemic colitis

ARTICLE SECTIONS

Introduction Signs and symptoms Causes Risk factors When to seek medical advice

Screening and diagnosis Complications Treatment Prevention

Introduction

Ischemic colitis is a disorder in which part of your colon (large intestine) becomes inflamed and injured. The cause is usually a disruption or decline in blood flow to your colon, which can interfere with its normal functions.

Impaired blood flow to your colon can be either sudden and brief, or long-term. While ischemic colitis causes mild symptoms in many cases, the condition can become severe. If the deprivation of oxygen-rich blood is chronic, serious damage can result, with ulcers along the lining of your colon. The condition can even become life-threatening. Although this condition can affect any part of your colon, it involves pain on the left side of the abdomen in most people with the condition.

Also known as colonic ischemia, ischemic colitis occurs most often in people age 50 and older. In older adults, ischemic colitis is one of the most common medical conditions affecting the large bowel. Because ischemic colitis can be serious, see your doctor as soon as possible if you have serious bowel symptoms.

NEXT:

Signs and symptoms