What is Ischemic Colitis and what are the known causes for it?

Ischemic colitis is a disorder that develops when blood flow to a part of your large intestine, also known as the colon, is reduced. This can lead to areas of colon inflammation and in some cases, permanent colon damage.

Though any part of your colon can be affected, most people with ischemic colitis develop pain on the left side of the abdomen. Common symptoms include urgent bowel movements and bloody diarrhea.

Inadequate blood supply causes ischemic colitis. In acute cases, the most frequent cause is blood clots in the arteries which supply blood to the colon. Chronic cases are usually associated with atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of fatty deposits, int the blood vessels leading to the colon.

Risk factors for ischemic colitis include age (greatest frequency in older adults), heart disease risk factors (traits or conditions commonly associated with heart disease, like tobacco use and elevated cholesterol levels), and medical conditions such as previous abdominal operations, heart failure, low blood pressure and shock.

Vasculitis, which is inflammation of the blood vessels, and a blood-clotting abnormality are often causes of ischemic colitis in a young adult.

I hope this answers your question,
Maryann