Angina abdominalis – causes, symptoms & therapy

Abdominal angina

In the case of abdominal angina , the patient has a dull abdominal pain that he must not ignore. Especially if this symptom occurs frequently. Abdominal angina should be taken seriously in any case, because it is a case of reduced blood supply in the intestine.

Was ist Angina abdominalis?

Angina abdominalis describes an insufficient blood supply in the intestine. “Angina” describes the pain condition, “abdomen” is the medical term for the stomach. What angina pectoris is to the heart, angina abdominalis is to the intestines. However, the pathological cause of these respective pains is the same.

Due to the diseased vessels in the abdomen, the patient complains of a dull abdominal pain – ignoring the pain has fatal consequences. There are many reasons for the reduced supply of blood in the intestine.

causes

If the intestines are not supplied with enough blood, the vessels suffer injuries and damage. As a further consequence, a mesenteric infarction occurs if the angina abdominalis is not treated .

In this infarction, part of the intestine dies off because it experiences an undersupply. The most common cause of abdominal angina is arteriosclerotic calcified vessels in the intestine. These ensure a reduced supply of blood and basically cause abdominal angina.

When to the doctor?

Changes in the intestinal area that last for several days should be checked by a doctor. Pain or a feeling of pressure is considered unusual and should be investigated. A continuous sensation of pain over a longer period of time is particularly noticeable. A doctor must be consulted before taking any pain medication to discuss possible risks and side effects.

Gas or bloating that is not due to an allergic reaction or food intake should be checked by a doctor. If there is repeated diarrhea or a fatty stool, a doctor must be consulted. If diarrhea occurs immediately after ingesting low-fat foods or meals, consult a doctor. If there is hypersensitivity in the anus, it is advisable to seek the help of a doctor.

If you have a fever or a feeling of weakness, you need to see a doctor. If persistent bowel activity is noticed, a doctor should be consulted. In the event of an increase in symptoms, impairments in coping with everyday life or exhaustion, a doctor must be consulted. If the symptoms lead to reduced food or liquid intake, a doctor should be consulted. If weight loss occurs, there is a risk of an eating disorder in severe cases, which must be clarified and possibly treated.

symptoms and course

Typical symptoms of abdominal angina:

Symptoms of abdominal angina in the early stages begin only after eating. This is because there is increased activity in the intestines and more oxygen is produced as a result. The patient complains not only of abdominal pain after eating, but also of severe flatulence. Fatty stools and diarrhea after eating are also not uncommon.

Due to the reduced blood flow in the intestine, the small intestine has to do more work and can only partially process the amount of food consumed. The small intestine is unable to cope with the work of the large intestine, so the patient complains of digestive problems.In the further stage of abdominal angina, the patient complains of pain during meals. At some point a constant pain sets in. This is because the intestines become inflamed due to the insufficient supply. In the case of intestinal inflammation , doctors speak of ischemic colitis.

The other disease of angina abdominalis is the mesenteric infarction. Again, there are three different stages. In stage I, the patient complains of knife-like pain in the abdominal region. This pain subsides after one to two hours.

In stage II, the pain returns. After around six to eight hours, the patient complains of abdominal pain again. Should a doctor be consulted in stage II, the chances are good that the intestine can be saved. If the time span is exceeded, the patient’s intestines will die. In stage III, the patient complains of constant pain, which at the same time represents inflammation of the peritoneum – peritonitis.

Diagnose

The doctor makes the diagnosis of abdominal angina based on the symptoms and symptoms. It is important for the doctor to have a conversation with the patient. This can report on the symptoms, so that the doctor can ultimately determine from the anamnesis which illness is tormenting the patient.

As a rule, abdominal angina occurs in older people who already suffer from hardening of the arteries. Patients with diabetes mellitus also have a higher chance of developing abdominal angina. The mesenteric infarction occurs again and again in connection with cardiac insufficiency – cardiac insufficiency . Cardiac arrhythmias have also been documented in connection with mesenteric infarction.

The doctor diagnoses abdominal angina with a laboratory test. The substances in the blood enable the doctor to diagnose abdominal angina. An ultrasound or X -ray also provides certainty that the patient is suffering from insufficient blood supply in the intestine.

complications

This disease can cause a variety of symptoms and complications. In most cases, however, there is relatively strong and stabbing pain in the abdominal area, which occurs immediately after eating. The patient’s quality of life is extremely reduced by this pain and irritability occurs. It is not uncommon for chronic pain to have a negative effect on the patient’s psyche.

Many of those affected suffer from underweight or malnutrition as a result of reduced food intake . There is also diarrhea and blood in the stool, the latter of which can lead to panic attacks. The everyday life of those affected is often extremely restricted, so that normal activities or going to the workplace are no longer possible.

If the intestine is severely damaged, the patient dies of acute poisoning, and even surgical interventions can usually no longer save the person concerned. Fat levels and sugar levels in the blood also increase. The treatment is usually surgical and can limit the pain and discomfort relatively well. Complications can arise if treatment is initiated too late and the bowel is already badly damaged.

treatment and therapy

If the abdominal angina raises the suspicion of a mesenteric infarction, the doctor decides for an angiography (a vascular examination). The doctor also performs abdominal surgery. Through the intervention, the doctor recognizes the extent of the damage and can intensify the diagnosis accordingly.

During the operation, the doctor looks for blocked arteries or sites. During the operation, the doctor widens the arteries so that there is a better blood supply. If the attending physician recognizes a dead intestine, this part must be removed.If the part of the dead intestine is relatively large, the patient will suffer from complications after the operation. Patients complain about indigestion (short bowel syndrome).

Another treatment option is the bypass. The bypass widens the arteries that supply blood to the intestines. The bypass allows the blood to supply the undersupplied intestinal vessels again. The intestinal bypass is comparable to the cardiac bypass. For the bypass operation for abdominal angina, the doctor uses a leg vein or artificial prosthesis.

prevention

The patient can prevent angina abdominalis with simple means. Due to the calcification, it is advisable to refrain from drinking too much alcohol such as nicotine . A high-fiber , balanced diet is also beneficial.

It is also advisable that the intestinal vessels are regularly checked by the doctor during the annual check-up. Above all, target groups or people who are particularly at risk (elderly people, diabetics ) should have their intestinal vessels examined regularly. In this way, abdominal angina can be prevented or treated in good time.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *