Last Updated on December 20, 2020
5. Cramping
As we mentioned earlier, ischemic colitis attacks can show up in no time and without previous notice. According to the director of clinical gastroenterology and endoscopy at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC, David Greenwald, MD, the alarming symptoms of ischemic colitis include tenderness in the abdomen or abdominal pain and cramping. It’s worth mentioning that when it comes to ischemic colitis, the pain tends to occur suddenly on the left side of the abdomen.
4. Nausea
Nausea is another hidden sign of ischemic colitis. Surprisingly, this symptom might also indicate a heart attack. According to David Greenwald, MD, besides feeling nauseated, some people also experience a feeling of an urgent need for a bowel movement.
3. Diarrhea
Bloody diarrhea usually accompanies cramping in the middle of an ischemic colitis attack. The patient feels pretty good until they’re suddenly hit by pain, which is followed by diarrhea that’s often bloody. You should get into the habit of paying close attention to your bowel movements because they can tell you a lot about your health.
2. Dehydration
Unfortunately, dehydration can lead to ischemic colitis. That’s why you need to pay very close attention to your daily fluid intake as well as watch out for the signs of dehydration, which include chapped lips and a dry, rubbery tongue. According to experts, most cases are due to low blood pressure and dehydration.
1. An alteration in vital signs
Ischemic colitis makes the blood pressure go down, and the heart rate go up. Plus, experts say that there might be proof of urine in the blood. That’s because the kidneys don’t get enough blood due to overworking, which can result in uremia (when waste products find their way back into the blood.) These are little clues that are revealed through blood tests, which in some cases, can help make the diagnosis of ischemic colitis. How to know if you’re at risk of getting ischemic colitis? Although this condition can occur at any age, those older than 60 are most at risk. Besides old age, other risk factors include prior abdominal surgery, blood clotting abnormalities, and inflammation of blood vessels. What’s more, certain medications, like oral contraceptive medications, have been associated with the onset of ischemic colitis. But the good news is that ischemic colitis is not chronic and usually occurs just once in a lifetime. Also, the vast majority of patients recover nicely with supportive care, which includes rehydration. Don’t forget to share this article with people you know and leave a comment if you wish to share your experience or have any additional insights on the subject.
