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Ischemic colitis facts for kids

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Ischemic colitis (say: iss-KEE-mik co-LIE-tiss), also known as Colonic ischemia, is a health problem where your large intestine doesn't get enough blood. When this happens, the intestine can become inflamed and damaged.

This condition is more common in older people. In fact, most cases happen in people over 60 years old. Ischemic colitis is the most common type of bowel ischemia, which means a lack of blood flow to the intestines.

What are the signs of Ischemic Colitis?

When someone has ischemic colitis, they might experience several symptoms. These signs help doctors understand what's happening inside the body.

  • Tummy pain: This is often a sudden pain in the belly.
  • Bleeding: You might see blood when you go to the bathroom, usually from the lower part of your digestive system.
  • Diarrhea: This means having loose, watery bowel movements.
  • Fever: Your body temperature might go up, usually higher than 100.4°F (38°C).
  • Feeling sick: Some people might also feel like throwing up or actually vomit.

If you or someone you know has these symptoms, it's important to see a doctor to find out what's going on.

How is Ischemic Colitis treated?

Good news! Most of the time, ischemic colitis is not very serious and gets better on its own. Doctors usually focus on helping the body heal.

  • Fluids: Patients might get IV fluids (liquids given through a needle into a vein) to make sure they don't get dehydration. This helps keep the body working well.
  • Resting the gut: Doctors often tell patients not to eat or drink anything for a little while. This gives the intestine a chance to rest and recover.
  • Serious cases: Sometimes, ischemic colitis can be more severe. If the lack of blood flow causes serious damage, like gangrene (when body tissue dies), then stronger treatments are needed. This might include taking antibiotics to fight infection or even having surgery to fix the damaged part of the intestine.

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