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Ischemic Bowel Disease Discharge Instructions


About this topic


The gastrointestinal system is also called the GI tract. It is made up of a long tube that starts from the mouth and ends in the anus. Your GI tract takes in nutrients from what you eat and drink. It also gets rid of waste that your body does not need. In order to work the right way, the GI tract needs oxygen from the blood. ‚  
Many blood vessels give oxygen to the bowels. Sometimes, one of them becomes narrow or blocked. Then, there is a low supply of blood going to the bowels. This is called ischemic bowel disease. This illness must be treated right away to avoid more serious problems. The treatment will depend on what is causing the low blood supply. ‚  
Blood flow problems happen when the blood cannot get to or leave the bowels. This happens when the blood vessels going to or leaving the bowels are blocked. ‚  
There are a few types of intestinal ischemia. You may have problems with the: ‚  
  • Blood supply to the large bowel. This may be due to a blocked blood vessel, clots, or other reasons. This is ischemic colitis.
  • Blood supply to the small bowel. This may be due to blood clots, blocks in arteries, or low blood pressure. This is acute mesenteric ischemia.
  • Blood flow to the bowels being blocked by fat or calcium. This is chronic mesenteric ischemia or intestinal angina.


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What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Take your drugs as ordered by your doctor.
  • If you had surgery to remove part of your bowel, talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
    • When you should change your bandages
    • When you may take a bath or shower
    • If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
    • When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving
    • Taking short walks every day. As you are able, add to the distance you walk and how often you walk.
  • Be sure to wash your hands before touching your wound or dressing.

What follow-up care is needed?


  • Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
  • If you had surgery and have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
  • Your doctor may order other treatments based on what is causing this health problem.

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Dilate or widen blood vessels
  • Prevent or fight an infection
  • Help with pain
  • Prevent blood clots
  • Control heart rhythm problems

Will physical activity be limited?


Exercise may help your overall health get better. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚  

What changes to diet are needed?


Talk to your doctor or dietitian about your diet. The doctor or dietitian may suggest things like: ‚  
  • Eat whole grain foods and foods high in fiber.
  • Choose many different fruits and vegetables. Fresh or frozen is best.
  • Cut back on solid fats like butter or margarine. Eat less fatty or processed foods.
  • Eat more low fat or lean meats like chicken, fish, or turkey. Eat less red meat.
  • Avoid foods that are hard to digest, like whole wheat, dairy products, and beans.
  • Limit beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
  • Avoid caffeine.

What problems could happen?


  • Bleeding
  • Bowel tissue dies
  • Infection in your belly or blood
  • Tear or hole in the intestinal tissue
  • Scarring in your belly

What can be done to prevent this health problem?


  • Do not smoke.
  • Get prompt treatment of other illnesses like abnormal blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and high blood sugar.
  • If you have an irregular heartbeat, be sure to get treatment.

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
  • Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
  • Very upset stomach or throwing up
  • Black, tarry, or bloody stools
  • Throwing up blood
  • Very bad belly pain
  • You cannot control your loose stools with diet or drugs
  • You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my procedure.
  • I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever; upset stomach; or black, tarry, or bloody stools.

Where can I learn more?


American College of Gastroenterology ‚  
http://patients.gi.org/topics/intestinal-ischemia/ ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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