Friday, September 11, 2009

The Causes of Ischemic Colitis? (Ischemic Colitis)

Ischemic Colitis

Ischemic colitis occurs mainly due to a reduction or obstruction in the blood supply to the cells and tissues of the colon. The reduction in blood supply may be associated with a wide variety of reasons.

Clots formation in the blood vessels
Abrupt occurrence of ischemic colitis may be due to the formation of clots in the blood vessels that supply the colon. This results in a sudden obstruction in the blood supply leading to the symptoms of ischemia. In cases of long standing conditions, the blood supply to the colon is reduced gradually owing to a condition known as atherosclerosis. This condition is characterized by accumulation of fats along the walls of the blood vessels that reduce the amount of blood flowing through the blood vessels.

Certain medical conditions
Ischemic colitis can also arise as a result of certain underlying medical conditions. These include inflammatory conditions of the blood vessels (referred to as vasculitis), block in the blood vessels due to hernias, heart failure, low blood pressure, elevated blood sugar levels (diabetes mellitus), and cancer of the colon.

Surgery and radiation
Surgery involving the colon and radiation therapy to the abdominal region can also result in the reduction of blood supply to the colon in certain instances. Chronic smoking, high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels in the body are some of the factors associated with increased risk of ischemic colitis.

Prolonged use of certain drugs
Prolonged use of certain medicines that belong to the group of pain killers (NSAIDs), hormone replacement drugs, anti-hypertensives and anti-psychotics are also associated with an increased risk of ischemic colitis.

Infections
Infections of the colon may also trigger ischemia (restriction of blood supply) in the colon in some rare instances.

Source: www.steadyhealth.com

Ischemic Colitis

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