What Are the Treatments for Ischemic Colitis?

Ischemic colitis is characterized by acute swelling and inflammation of the colon. Impaired blood flow to the colon is the most common cause. Symptoms include pain on the left side of the abdomen, urgent bowel movements and bloody diarrhea. Most cases are mild and resolve within a couple of days but more serious cases can cause permanent colon damage. Your treatment will depend on the severity of your condition.

Treatment for Mild Cases

• If you have a mild case, your symptoms typically go away within two days and you will probably not need to be admitted to the hospital. Your doctor will most likely give you blood pressure medication that will encourage proper blood flow to the colon. In order to prevent potential infections, you might need to take a course of antibiotics.

Blood-Thinning Medication

• Blood clots impair blood flow, which is the primary cause of ischemic colitis. If you experience this condition before the age of 50 or have a history of clots, you might have a condition which makes your blood clot more than normal. You will probably be prescribed warfarin or another blood-thinning medication; this will help prevent future episodes of ischemic colitis. Many herbs and medications interact with blood-thinners so you must tell your doctor about any medications or supplements you are using at the time as well as ones you might use in the future once you are on the medication.

Hospitalization

• You might require hospitalization if you are dehydrated. You will receive fluids and nutrients intravenously. Additionally, your food intake will probably be restricted for several days to give your intestines a break. How long you are in the hospital will depend on the severity of the condition.

Non-Surgical Follow-Up

• If your ischemic colitis is being treated non-surgically, you will require regular follow-up colonoscopies to see if the condition has resolved itself or gotten worse. Your doctor will also check for any complications like bleeding or pus. Most people's symptoms resolve within a couple of days and are completely healed within a couple of weeks. Some people might need more time to recover and relapse is possible.

Surgery

• If your episode is severe or prolonged, you will need surgery to remove the affected area of the colon permanently. You will need surgery if you have severe and persistent abdominal tenderness and fever even after receiving fluids and necessary medications, bleeding ulcers, a hole in the colon, gangrene (dead tissue) or sepsis (infection). If you experience gangrene and sepsis, you will also need strong broad-spectrum antibiotics and a blood transfusion. After surgery, you will be monitored to check for infection or other potential complications of the surgery.

Prevention

• Luckily, most people experience only one episode of ischemic colitis never to have it again. If you had been taking a drug listing ischemic colitis as a possible side effect, talk to your doctor about switching medications. They include NSAIDs, estrogen therapy, migraine medications, certain antipsychotic medications, digoxin and pseudoephedrine. Properly treat conditions that are potential risk factors such as heart disease and high blood pressure. Quit smoking and exercise regularly.