2. Urgency to Defecate: More than Just a Stomach Upset
For most of us, the occasional urgency to visit the restroom after a spicy meal or an adventurous culinary exploration isn’t out of the ordinary. However, with intestinal ischemia, there’s an inexplicable, recurrent urge to evacuate, even without the triggers one might expect.
This urgency isn’t driven by the body’s need to get rid of toxins or a reaction to something consumed. Instead, it’s an echo of the distress calls from the intestines. The restricted blood flow causes an inflammatory response, stimulating the bowels into overactivity.
Strangely, even with this urgency, actual bowel movements might be infrequent. The body creates this paradoxical situation – a desperate need to evacuate without much to expel. This can be both confusing and concerning for the person experiencing it.
The texture and consistency of the stool during these urgent episodes can also vary. Some may find their stool to be loose and watery, akin to diarrhea, while others might note an unusual firmness. These inconsistencies further underscore the intestines’ struggle.
So, while a sudden urge to use the restroom might seem inconspicuous, when paired with other symptoms or when occurring with disturbing frequency, it’s worth delving deeper into its potential cause, which could be ischemia. (2)
