Ischemic Colitis and Its Symptoms
Ischemic colitis is an inflammation in your colon that is caused by ischemia, which means a reduction in blood flow. Blood supplies oxygen to the tissues in one’s body. If there is an obstruction and disruption in the blood supply to certain tissues, they suffer damage from lack of oxygen. The body’s response to this situation is inflammation.
It causes discomfort, bleeding and swelling, but it means your tissues are trying to repair themselves. Ischemic colitis mainly affects the inner lining of your colon (mucosa), usually in one section of it. But ischemia that lasts longer or is more severe may do deeper damage to your colon.
There are certain signs that may suggest you have ischemic colitis, they include:
- Abdominal swelling and tenderness
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Blood in poop
- Diarrhea [1] and urgency to poop
- Low fever [2]
- Nausea or loss of appetite