randissimo Posted February 4, 2008 Report Posted February 4, 2008 My twin sister is very ill in the hospital with AMI and has already had two emergency surgeries.. Are there any doctors or members knowledgeable on this particular disease? Quote
jazzbo Posted February 4, 2008 Report Posted February 4, 2008 Randy, no information to offer, but I'm thinking of you both. Quote
BERIGAN Posted February 4, 2008 Report Posted February 4, 2008 I know you could do a google search as well, but just thought I'd post this info I found....best wishes for a speedy recovery for your sister!!!! Mesenteric Ischemia What is it? The mesenteric arteries are the three major arteries that supply blood to the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. The word “ischemia” means decrease in oxygen supply. Mesenteric ischemia is a condition in which the mesenteric arteries do not deliver enough blood and oxygen to the small and large intestines. This makes it difficult for the intestines to digest food and can cause segments of the intestine to die. Who gets it? People with diseases of the arteries are more likely to develop mesenteric ischemia. It is also more common in people who smoke and in those with high cholesterol. What causes it? Mesenteric ischemia is caused by the narrowing or blockage (atherosclerosis) of one or more of the three mesenteric arteries. It can also be caused by a blood clot that travels through the bloodstream and blocks one of the mesenteric arteries. A blood clot that breaks away and travels through the bloodstream is called an embolus. This type of acute mesenteric ischemia is life threatening because the blood flow to the intestine is cut off completely, which can cause the intestine to die if not treated immediately. What are the symptoms? Chronic mesenteric ischemia occurs gradually. There often are no symptoms until two of the three arteries are narrowed or blocked. Usually the patient will feel severe abdominal pain in the area of the navel around 30 to 60 minutes after eating. Because of the pain the patient may refuse to eat, which results in poor nutrition and weight loss. Other symptoms might include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Acute mesenteric ischemia causes sudden, severe abdominal pain, often with vomiting and diarrhea. How is it diagnosed? The symptoms of mesenteric ischemia are common to many other conditions, so laboratory tests are extremely important in its diagnosis. Blood tests may show an elevated white blood cell count. With acute mesenteric ischemia, blood tests may reveal acidosis, a condition in which the blood has too much acid. The doctor may also order an arteriogram, in which a special dye is injected into the mesenteric arteries. The dye will show any narrow or blocked areas on an x-ray. A computed tomography (CT) scan may also show abnormalities in this area. What is the treatment? Chronic mesenteric ischemia is usually treated with surgery. The narrow or blocked portion of the arteries may be removed and the arteries are then reconnected to the aorta. Or, the blocked part of the artery may be bypassed, with a piece of vein or a plastic tube. Acute mesenteric ischemia is treated with emergency surgery. It is extremely important to restore the blood supply to the intestine as quickly as possible by removing the blockage from the artery. Portions of the intestine may have to be removed if the lack of blood has caused any of the tissue to die. Self-care tips With surgery and lifestyle changes, patients with chronic mesenteric ischemia can have a full recovery. Lifestyle changes include not smoking, following a healthy diet, exercising, and keep cholesterol and blood pressure under control. The outlook for patients with acute mesenteric ischemia depends upon how quickly the condition is diagnosed and treated. Quote
Joe G Posted February 4, 2008 Report Posted February 4, 2008 Randy - if I can help in any way, let me know. Very sorry to hear about this. Quote
randissimo Posted February 4, 2008 Author Report Posted February 4, 2008 Randy - if I can help in any way, let me know. Very sorry to hear about this. Thanks Joe. Quote
randissimo Posted February 4, 2008 Author Report Posted February 4, 2008 I know you could do a google search as well, but just thought I'd post this info I found....best wishes for a speedy recovery for your sister!!!! Mesenteric Ischemia What is it? The mesenteric arteries are the three major arteries that supply blood to the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. The word “ischemia” means decrease in oxygen supply. Mesenteric ischemia is a condition in which the mesenteric arteries do not deliver enough blood and oxygen to the small and large intestines. This makes it difficult for the intestines to digest food and can cause segments of the intestine to die. Who gets it? People with diseases of the arteries are more likely to develop mesenteric ischemia. It is also more common in people who smoke and in those with high cholesterol. What causes it? Mesenteric ischemia is caused by the narrowing or blockage (atherosclerosis) of one or more of the three mesenteric arteries. It can also be caused by a blood clot that travels through the bloodstream and blocks one of the mesenteric arteries. A blood clot that breaks away and travels through the bloodstream is called an embolus. This type of acute mesenteric ischemia is life threatening because the blood flow to the intestine is cut off completely, which can cause the intestine to die if not treated immediately. What are the symptoms? Chronic mesenteric ischemia occurs gradually. There often are no symptoms until two of the three arteries are narrowed or blocked. Usually the patient will feel severe abdominal pain in the area of the navel around 30 to 60 minutes after eating. Because of the pain the patient may refuse to eat, which results in poor nutrition and weight loss. Other symptoms might include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Acute mesenteric ischemia causes sudden, severe abdominal pain, often with vomiting and diarrhea. How is it diagnosed? The symptoms of mesenteric ischemia are common to many other conditions, so laboratory tests are extremely important in its diagnosis. Blood tests may show an elevated white blood cell count. With acute mesenteric ischemia, blood tests may reveal acidosis, a condition in which the blood has too much acid. The doctor may also order an arteriogram, in which a special dye is injected into the mesenteric arteries. The dye will show any narrow or blocked areas on an x-ray. A computed tomography (CT) scan may also show abnormalities in this area. What is the treatment? Chronic mesenteric ischemia is usually treated with surgery. The narrow or blocked portion of the arteries may be removed and the arteries are then reconnected to the aorta. Or, the blocked part of the artery may be bypassed, with a piece of vein or a plastic tube. Acute mesenteric ischemia is treated with emergency surgery. It is extremely important to restore the blood supply to the intestine as quickly as possible by removing the blockage from the artery. Portions of the intestine may have to be removed if the lack of blood has caused any of the tissue to die. Self-care tips With surgery and lifestyle changes, patients with chronic mesenteric ischemia can have a full recovery. Lifestyle changes include not smoking, following a healthy diet, exercising, and keep cholesterol and blood pressure under control. The outlook for patients with acute mesenteric ischemia depends upon how quickly the condition is diagnosed and treated. Thanks Berigan. Quote
Jim Alfredson Posted February 4, 2008 Report Posted February 4, 2008 Sorry to hear this, Randy. Got to get her to stop smoking (unless I'm thinking of the wrong sister). According to the last paragraph, if she can change her lifestyle, she has a good chance at recovery. Quote
randissimo Posted February 4, 2008 Author Report Posted February 4, 2008 Sorry to hear this, Randy. Got to get her to stop smoking (unless I'm thinking of the wrong sister). According to the last paragraph, if she can change her lifestyle, she has a good chance at recovery. This sister has never smoked a cigarette in her life.. Quote
Jim Alfredson Posted February 4, 2008 Report Posted February 4, 2008 Ah, sorry... thining of the wrong sister. Hopefully the docs caught it in time. Quote
randissimo Posted February 4, 2008 Author Report Posted February 4, 2008 Ah, sorry... thinking of the wrong sister. Hopefully the docs caught it in time. No problem Jim.. My other sister has a serious struggle with cigarette addiction and has been trying to quit. But any kind of stress and she's smoking again.. Quote
Chalupa Posted February 4, 2008 Report Posted February 4, 2008 Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery. Quote
connoisseur series500 Posted February 5, 2008 Report Posted February 5, 2008 Hope everything works out. Sorry to hear the news. Quote
Joe G Posted February 12, 2008 Report Posted February 12, 2008 How is your sister doing, Randy? Quote
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