Risk Factors for Ischemic Colitis
The risk factors for r ischemic colitis include:
- Sex: Ischemic colitis is more likely to affect women.
- Previous abdominal surgery: Studies show that scar tissues that form after a surgical procedure can cause reduced blood flow.
- Clotting problems: People who have conditions that affect blood clotting processes, such as factor V Leiden, are more likely to develop ischemic colitis.
- Age: Studies show that ischemic colitis commonly affects adults who are older than 60. Ischemic colitis in young adults may be a sign of a blood-clotting condition, or inflammation of blood vessels, also known as vasculitis.
- High cholesterol: High levels of cholesterol in the blood can cause atherosclerosis.
- Reduced blood flow, caused by heart failure, low blood pressure or shock. It can also occur due to certain conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis [1] or diabetes [2].
- Surgical procedures involving the aorta, the large artery that pumps blood from your heart to the rest of your body, can cause ischemic colitis.
- Strenuous exercise, like marathon running, may cause reduced blood flow to the colon.
You are also at a higher risk of having ischemic colitis if you:
- Have diabetes
- Have low blood pressure [3]
- Have a history of surgical procedures to the aorta
- Have congestive heart failure
- Take drugs that can cause constipation