My mother was just diagnosed with ischemic colitis. She read an article in a medical journal that stated this condition has a 6 percent survival rate. Is this true? I find it hard to believe.

F.

Ischemic colitis is a condition in which blood flow to an area of the large intestine (colon) is cut off, starving that tissue of oxygen (ischemia) and leading to tissue damage. The damage is similar to that which occurs in the heart muscle when its supply of blood is disrupted by a heart attack.

Ischemic colitis occurs when a blockage occurs in one of the two major arteries supplying blood to the colon. In addition to blockages, any problem that may reduce blood flow to the gut, such as a dramatic drop in blood pressure, may also cause ischemic colitis.

Since blood-vessel disease is most common among the elderly, ischemic colitis is most often seen in this age group. Patients with ischemic colitis also are more likely to have diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels -- all risk factors for blood-vessel disease.

Patients with ischemic colitis typically experience cramping abdominal pain, followed by bleeding from the rectum. The pain stems from the ischemia and inflammation in the colon, while the bleeding comes from the inner lining of the colon, which sloughs off. The diagnosis is made by performing a colonoscopy.

Contrary to what your mother seems to believe, most patients with ischemic colitis recover. The inflammation may go away without leaving any permanent problems, or it may heal with scarring, leading to a narrowing (stricture) of the colon. In rare cases, the bleeding may be so severe that the patient requires multiple blood transfusions and surgical removal of the involved segment of colon. Even more rarely, ischemia leads to perforation of the colon and severe infection, which can be fatal.

There is a similar disorder, called mesenteric ischemia, that affects the small intestine. In contrast to the colon, most of the small intestine receives blood from just one major artery. So, blockage of this artery will often lead to irreversible damage to the small intestine (with perforation and infection). Mesenteric ischemia will result in death if it is not recognized quickly enough to allow surgeons to open the artery. It may be that the numbers your mother read were related to mesenteric ischemia.

If your mother indeed has ischemic colitis, it is important to prevent further episodes. Control of blood pressure and cholesterol is crucial. She should follow up with a gastroenterologist for further recommendations.