Overview
Diagnosis
Ischemic colitis is often mistaken for other digestive conditions, especially inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), because their symptoms overlap. Diagnosis usually involves symptom evaluation and imaging tests to confirm the condition and rule out other causes.
Common diagnostic tests include:
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Abdominal CT scan: Provides detailed images of the colon and helps rule out disorders such as IBD.
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Colonoscopy: Offers a clear, detailed view of the colon and helps confirm ischemic colitis. It also checks for cancer and evaluates treatment progress. A biopsy may be taken to support diagnosis.
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Stool analysis: Helps rule out infection as a cause of symptoms.
Treatment
Treatment depends on how severe the ischemic colitis is.
For mild cases, symptoms often improve within 2–3 days. Recommended treatments include:
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Antibiotics: To prevent or treat infections.
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Intravenous fluids: To manage dehydration.
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Managing underlying conditions: Such as congestive heart failure, irregular heartbeat or other vascular issues.
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Avoiding medicines that constrict blood vessels: Examples include certain migraine medicines, hormone therapies and some heart medications.
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Bowel rest: May include temporarily receiving nutrients through a feeding tube to allow the colon to heal.
A healthcare professional may also recommend follow-up colonoscopies to monitor healing and detect complications early.
Surgery
Surgery may be required if symptoms are severe or if the colon has sustained serious damage.
Surgical procedures may be needed to:
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Remove dead or damaged tissue
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Repair a perforation (hole) in the colon
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Remove narrowed sections of the colon caused by scarring that leads to blockages
The likelihood of surgery increases if the person has underlying conditions such as heart disease, atrial fibrillation, or kidney failure.
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