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Intestinal colic in adults, signs and treatment. Intestinal colic in adults and newborns - the essence of the phenomenon, symptoms, treatment, remedies for colic, massage, diet (foods that cause colic). What intestinal diseases cause colic? Intestinal colic

Intestinal colic- this is a symptom that may indicate the onset of the development of a gastrointestinal tract disease, or may be a consequence of poor nutrition or stress. But to understand the causes of intestinal colic, you need to consult a doctor for advice. He will conduct an examination and identify the cause of this symptom, and also prescribe treatment.

Characteristics and types

Intestinal colic is a sharp, sharp pain in any area of ​​the abdomen. They have a cramping and paroxysmal character. Colic occurs suddenly and lasts for a couple of minutes, then the pain subsides, but can also suddenly return. Such cramping pain can occur equally in both men and women, and infants and children of any age are also susceptible to it.

Intestinal colic can be triggered by many reasons, but in general terms we can say that it occurs due to spasm of the intestinal walls.

Depending on which part of the intestine the spasm occurred in and what its cause is, There are several types of colic:


Only a specialist - a gastroenterologist or surgeon - can determine what caused the intestinal spasms. Therefore, to establish the type of colic, as well as the diagnosis, you need to consult a doctor.

This is also necessary to differentiate an attack of intestinal colic from other types. Colic also occurs:

  • renal;
  • gastric;
  • hepatic;
  • pancreas.

One of the main causes of constipation and diarrhea is use of various medications. To improve bowel function after taking medications, you need to do it every day. drink a simple remedy ...

Causes

The causes of intestinal spasms are quite varied, from the most harmless overeating to serious pathologies of the intestinal tract. In general terms, colic is the result of improper intestinal motility, or a violent nervous reaction of its walls to irritants.

That is, if intestinal motility is reduced, feces do not move forward due to the presence of an obstacle in their path, or irritation of the nerves of the intestinal wall occurs, the person will feel severe abdominal pain.

In order to answer the question “why do intestinal colic occur?”, you need to consider Some reasons that may contribute to this:

Depending on the reasons that caused intestinal colic, the pain can be acute, but rare, quieter, but constant or very frequent, spread throughout the entire abdomen or have a clear localization, the pain can migrate, intensify, and then subside.

If the cause of colic was physiological factors (overeating, stress), then the intestinal spasm will soon stop when the irritating factor goes away, but if the cause lies in intestinal pathology, then medical help cannot be avoided.

Constant spasms are usually the first sign of a developing disease, followed soon by other symptoms.

Intestinal colic, not gastric, and does not depend on food intake, the exception is colic of the colon - if a person has overeaten, then a heavy stomach presses on it from above, causing discomfort and pain. In this case, the intestinal spasm will soon pass as soon as the food completely empties the stomach and passes into the intestines.


Colic as a symptom of illness

Sometimes intestinal colic is the first symptom of the development of a disease, most often of the digestive system, but it happens also of other systems.

Such diseases include:

Each of these diseases has its own characteristic symptoms, and colic is only one of the symptoms.

Other symptoms that may accompany intestinal colic include:

  • nausea and vomiting;
  • loss of appetite and weight loss;
  • belching;
  • heartburn;
  • weakness and lethargy;
  • diarrhea or constipation;
  • the appearance of impurities in feces (, pus), changes in its color;
  • rash;
  • grinding teeth in sleep;
  • itching in the anus;
  • bloating;
  • abdominal muscle tension;
  • rapid development of signs of intoxication, in severe cases - convulsions.

If, in addition to intestinal colic, you experience at least a few of the above symptoms, then you should definitely contact a gastroenterologist, or if your condition is severe, call an ambulance.

Only a specialist will be able to give you the correct diagnosis and tell you what to do with intestinal spasms, how to deal with them and what therapy to use.


Diagnostics

In order to correctly determine the causes of intestinal colic, before visiting a doctor or an ambulance, it is better not to take any medications on your own, so as not to blur the picture and mislead the doctor.

The doctor will definitely carry out such measures and will order tests:

  • examination of the patient with palpation and percussion of the abdomen;
  • taking anamnesis;
  • delivery of feces to;
  • stool analysis for oviworm;
  • general blood analysis;
  • Ultrasound and x-ray of the abdominal organs;
  • CT or
    • fruits and vegetables, especially grated apples and carrots;
    • rye bread and homemade crackers without seasoning;
    • dairy products;
    • lean meat and fish;
    • porridge;
    • herbal decoctions and teas;
    • freshly squeezed juices from carrots and spinach.

    From the patient’s diet it is necessary to remove everything spicy, salty, spices and seasonings, fatty and fried foods, rich foods, legumes, canned food, carbonated and alcoholic drinks, smoked meats and pickles.

    If you are sure that you have colic due to harmless reasons, then at home you can take two tablets of No-shpa or Spazmolgon, drink a drug containing belladonna extract, do a warm enema from a decoction of lemon balm or mint, switch to a healthy diet, and For the first six hours, it’s better to even drink unsweetened tea and eat homemade crackers.

    For intestinal colic, meals should be frequent, but in small portions, about six times a day, 200 grams each.

    But still, before taking medicine, especially if it is not just an analgesic or antispasmodic, consult your doctor. After all, the problem may be deeper than you think.

    And remember that intestinal colic, although weak, is still a symptom that can signal in advance a danger threatening your body. Therefore, do not ignore it, washing it down with pills all the time, but find out the reason in order to begin timely etiotropic treatment.

Intestinal colic in children is a condition characterized by the occurrence of paroxysmal pain in the abdominal cavity along the intestines. It can occur in infants (on average from 3 weeks to 3.5–5 months), as well as in school-age children (up to 9 years). It is worth noting that the term “colic in a child” does not mean any specific disease. In gastroenterology, this sign refers to special sensations that can manifest themselves in pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.

Most often, intestinal colic in newborns develops due to poor diet, overeating, and progression of the inflammatory process in the gastrointestinal tract. In children aged 3 years and older, the causes of the manifestation of the painful condition become more numerous - these are helminthic infestations, poisoning, etc. Many parents, when such a symptom is expressed in their baby, begin to treat it themselves, using medications and traditional methods. But such a decision is wrong. You need to understand that intestinal colic in children does not appear without a reason, and this cause must first be identified in order to be effectively eliminated. The child is examined by a pediatrician or pediatric gastroenterologist.

If colic occurs in infants (from 3 weeks to 5 months), treatment for this condition should be comprehensive. It is important to use medications prescribed by a doctor, in strictly prescribed dosages, and traditional methods of treatment. In addition, a diet for intestinal colic is important, which a nursing mother will need to follow.

Causes

Intestinal colic in children can be caused by a host of unfavorable factors. In newborns from 2–3 weeks to 5–6 months, the main factor in the occurrence of painful sensations is a disorder of the full functioning of the intestines, which is explained by the incomplete development of the digestive tract organs. The immaturity of the baby’s nervous system also plays a role here.

Symptoms

It is immediately worth noting that clinicians conditionally divide the symptoms of intestinal colic into two large groups:

  • infant colic. They occur between 2–3 weeks and 5–6 months of a baby’s life. The first symptom is pain. Severe pain usually appears immediately after the mother feeds the baby, or 15–30 minutes after that. The child becomes very restless, constantly cries, strains and knocks his legs. In this case, there is no waste of feces or gases. If you palpate his tummy at the moment, you will find that it is very tense - this is the second symptom that confirms the presence of colic. Abdominal massage or the use of a special gas outlet tube can help eliminate this condition;
  • pathological colic. Occurs in children aged 2 years and older. Unlike the previous type, such colic has a slightly different expression. In a child 2 years of age and older, an attack occurs at any time of the day, and is completely unrelated to the consumption of food. Pain sensations can be localized in the lower abdomen or have a different character - spread to the entire abdominal cavity.

If intestinal colic occurs in a child against the background of certain diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, then the clinical picture is supplemented by the following signs:

  • nausea and vomiting. These symptoms may indicate spasms of the muscles of the digestive tract due to an infectious process;
  • bloating. It manifests itself as a result of difficult movement of intestinal masses throughout the organ, thereby provoking increased formation of gases;
  • body temperature increases;
  • bowel dysfunction;
  • weakness;
  • moodiness;
  • headache in a child.

If over a long period of time (3-5 hours) the baby’s colic does not go away, and his condition gradually worsens, symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, fever are expressed, then parents should not hesitate - they should immediately go to the hospital for treatment. carrying out treatment.

Diagnostic measures

It is somewhat difficult to identify the cause of intestinal colic in infants, since the baby cannot tell about his symptoms himself. Therefore, the doctor interviews the parents about when colic appears, what foods the mother ate, in what position she breastfeeds the baby, and other points. If the child is older, then you can interview him for complaints. Next, the doctor performs abdominal palpation and a physical examination. Based on all the data obtained, a diagnostic action plan is drawn up, which will provide a more complete picture of the pathology.

The most informative methods include:

  • general clinical blood test;
  • General clinical urine analysis;
  • coprogram. An analysis that will reveal helminthiasis, dysbacteriosis, and intestinal infections;
  • ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity;
  • Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy are instrumental examinations that allow you to assess the condition of the intestinal mucosa. For children, this procedure is performed only under general anesthesia;
  • abdominal radiography;
  • FGDS is a procedure in which the mucous membrane of the esophagus, gastric cavity and duodenum is examined. Children under 3 years of age are examined using a special thin probe inserted through the nasal passage.

An effective treatment plan is signed by the doctor only after she receives all the examination results and identifies the cause of colic in the baby.

Treatment

Treatment of colic should only be comprehensive, especially if it is caused by any disease. At home, doctors recommend giving the child an abdominal massage. In addition, you need to follow the feeding rules:

  • do not feed the baby in a lying position;
  • After feeding, be sure to carry him in an upright position so that he burps any air that could get into his gastric cavity.

If your child's tummy is swollen, you can help him by using a gas tube. It is lubricated with Vaseline and inserted into the rectum, but no more than 3 cm. Some mothers use a thermometer or a small piece of soap instead of a tube, but this should never be done. A thermometer can injure the delicate intestinal mucosa, and soap has a drying effect on it, causing the formation of cracks.

Drug therapy:

  • Plantex;
  • Espumisan;
  • Bobotik;
  • Linux.

It is also important that the mother of the child, if she is breastfeeding, follows a diet during treatment. Dietary nutrition is also required for older children. The following are completely excluded from the diet:

  • fried and raw eggs;
  • legumes;
  • full fat sour cream and whole milk;
  • baked goods;
  • pearl barley, millet porridge;
  • coffee;
  • hot chocolate;
  • pickles and marinades;
  • soda;
  • smoked and spicy dishes.

Similar materials

Dyspepsia in children is a fairly common disease characterized by disruption of the digestive process. Often this disease is diagnosed in children in the first year of life, and the severity of the disease directly depends on the amount of food consumed. This is due to the fact that the volume of food consumed does not always correspond to the capabilities of the gastrointestinal tract. There are several varieties of this syndrome in children - simple and toxic. In the first case, the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract is disrupted, in the second, metabolic disorders are observed.

The body of a newborn baby is completely different from the body of an adult: everything in it functions differently. And one of the external manifestations of the peculiarities of the newborn period is intestinal colic.

Colic in medicine is an attack of sudden acute pain, which is accompanied by severe discomfort and, often, temporary loss of physical activity. During the newborn period, children are mainly bothered by intestinal colic, which will be discussed further.

Causes of intestinal colic in newborns

The cause of discomfort lies in the immaturity of the digestive tube in an infant. In a newborn baby, the gastrointestinal tract is longer than in an adult, the digestive glands are not yet functioning, and there are no villi on the mucous membrane of the small intestine and the glandular epithelium is underdeveloped.

As a result, the digestive tract is unable to absorb anything other than breast milk. But the newborn’s intestines must first “learn” to digest breast milk.

Thus, the formation of cliques in newborns occurs for two main reasons:

  1. Anatomical immaturity of the digestive tube.
  2. Transition from intrauterine placental type of feeding to a new lactotrophic type of feeding.

Important! The intake of large volumes of still new and unfamiliar food in the form of mother's milk, and the immaturity of the digestive tract contribute to incomplete absorption of nutrients in infants. An external manifestation of indigestion and absorption of food is intestinal colic.

At what age do colic start to bother you?

The first signs of colic appear at the age of 2-3 weeks. Until this time, food digestion proceeds without any discomfort. This is due to the fact that during these weeks the nursing mother establishes lactation and, accordingly, the composition of breast milk changes.

For the first week, the baby eats exclusively colostrum, which is most easily digested by the newborn’s intestines - there are no symptoms of digestive disorders. Over the next 7-14 days, milk becomes more nutritious and energetically valuable, saturated with fats and fatty acids. It is these substances that the newborn’s intestines cannot yet completely break down and digest, which leads to increased gas formation, bloating and colic attacks. The final composition of milk is established by days 14-21 of breastfeeding: milk is maximally enriched in fats and unsaturated fatty acids, which is marked by the appearance of colic.

Important! Colic is a normal physiological process that reflects the adaptation of the gastrointestinal tract to a new type of food.

The adaptation process ends by 3 months of life, when the pancreas and gall bladder begin to work. They secrete digestive enzymes that easily break down proteins, fats and carbohydrates of incoming food. At the same time, attacks of intestinal colic end.

This condition is not an independent disease. In children of the first year of life, it occurs due to imperfections of the digestive system, the introduction of complementary foods and is considered the norm. But in children over one year of age, colic may indicate various pathologies in the body, as a rule, dysbacteriosis, helminth infection, and poor nutrition.

Causes of colic

Painful intestinal colic can occur in children of different ages against the background of various unfavorable factors that cause severe irritation of the intestinal mucosa and, as a result, severe spasm of its muscles, which is always accompanied by a sudden attack of acute pain.

Aerophagia

Increased swallowing of air during eating is typical for newborns under one year of age who are breastfed or bottle-fed. In the first months of life, babies experience difficulties with bowel movements and the passage of gases (this is a completely natural condition of the developing digestive tract). Therefore, a large amount of air that gets inside with food causes severe bloating and, as a result, painful colic. They usually go away after the passage of stool or gases (when using a gas tube).


Poor nutrition of a child or nursing mother

An unbalanced mother’s menu has a negative impact on the baby’s still fragile digestive system. The entry of a large volume of poorly digested food into the small intestine (in cases of overeating) also causes fermentation in the intestines and increased gas formation, painful bloating. In this situation, intestinal colic in children is a common condition.

Lactase intolerance

Causes intestinal colic, mainly in children in the first months of life. The condition is characterized by the body’s inability to break down milk sugar that enters it due to a lack of a special enzyme (lactase). In this case, when milk enters the body, it is broken down not by intestinal enzymes, but by microbes located in the intestines. As a result, severe bloating and colic occur, which usually disappear after defecation.

Helminth infection

Worms and roundworms entering the intestines cause severe irritation of its mucous tissue. In this case, intestinal colic is a very common occurrence, which is complemented by nausea, poor appetite, and itching of the anal area.


Viral infections (ARVI, acute respiratory infections)

With colds, viruses affect not only the respiratory system, but also the digestive system. Pathogenic microflora settles in the lymph nodes of the abdominal cavity (in the mesenteries of the small intestine), which subsequently become inflamed, causing irritation in the small intestine. This is expressed in muscle spasms and severe pain. In newborns, unlike adults, intestinal colic occurs in every second case when the body is infected with a viral infection, since the body does not yet have sufficient immunity.

Disorders of the digestive tract

Dyspepsia, ulcers, gastritis, pathologies in the structure of the liver and pancreas in children disrupt normal digestion. As a result, poorly digested food enters the intestines, which causes severe irritation of its walls and colic.

Food poisoning

When pathogenic microbes or their poisons enter a child's weakened body, along with spoiled food, it can provoke intestinal diseases or food toxicosis, which also causes severe intestinal irritation and, as a result, muscle spasms (colic).


Nervous overstrain

Nervous spasms with intestinal colic are most often diagnosed in school-age children during a change of environment and when adapting to a new school life.

Acute intestinal obstruction

It occurs when the intestinal ducts are completely or partially blocked, causing intoxication of the body with feces. Intestinal colic occurs suddenly. Severe pain is cramping in nature and is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, which does not bring relief. With intestinal obstruction, the condition can quickly worsen. The pain in spasmed muscles only intensifies over time. In some cases, a deceptive phase of well-being begins when colic disappears due to muscle fatigue. But this condition is actually very dangerous, since it indicates the initial stage of peritonitis (severe inflammation in the intestines), which is a very dangerous symptom. Therefore, if you suspect intestinal obstruction, you must immediately call for medical help.

Symptoms and clinical manifestations

Signs of intestinal colic in children are divided into two groups:

  • Infantile colic occurs mainly in children under 8 months of age. Severe pain appears either immediately after feeding or 15-30 minutes after it. The baby becomes restless, cries a lot, twists his legs, strains, but the passage of feces or gases does not occur. When palpating the abdomen, excessive tension in the anterior abdominal wall is felt. The condition is considered normal. Colic usually goes away with massage or use of a gas tube.
  • Pathological colic can occur in children of any age. Unlike infants, they have a slightly different clinical picture. An attack of pain begins suddenly at any time of the day (it all depends on the root cause that caused it). Pain is localized in the lower abdomen or covers the entire abdominal cavity. Painful attacks occur sporadically. Over time, they may become stronger and have shorter periods of rest.

If intestinal colic develops against the background of any diseases, they always have additional symptoms:

  • High body temperature – if the cause is a viral infection, then the condition is complemented by a cough, runny nose, and sore throat. In cases where the temperature rises due to an intestinal infection, it rises to 40 0 ​​C. When taking antipyretics, it quickly returns to its previous level.
  • Bloating – occurs when stool is difficult to move through the intestinal ducts, causing severe gas formation. The cause may be disturbances in the functioning of internal organs, various obstacles in the intestinal ducts, or their torsion.
  • Nausea and vomiting can result from muscle spasms due to an intestinal infection or disturbances in the functioning of the digestive tract.
  • Stool disorders are a characteristic symptom of intestinal colic, which accompanies numerous pathological phenomena in the body. At the same time, even a baby may experience both severe constipation and frequent diarrhea mixed with mucus or blood.
  • Loss of strength and headaches are common with colic that occurs due to food poisoning, intestinal infections and intestinal obstruction.

If intestinal colic in children does not go away for a long time (2-3 hours or more), and his condition quickly worsens, complicated by vomiting, fever, loose stools, or, conversely, severe constipation, you should immediately seek emergency medical help.

Compared to adults, in children the clinical picture of serious poisoning, intestinal infections and acute obstruction develops much faster and requires immediate medical intervention, since there is a high risk of dangerous complications and death (with complete intestinal obstruction).

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of intestinal colic is carried out taking into account suspicions of possible diseases of the digestive tract. This includes:

  • collecting information about the symptoms accompanying the painful condition by interviewing parents or the child himself;
  • physiological examination, palpation of the abdomen;
  • general blood test - to identify possible anemia and inflammatory processes in which the quantitative composition of the blood changes;
  • urine analysis - to identify possible abnormalities in the functioning of important digestive organs;
  • coprogram - to identify possible dysbiosis, infection with helminths, intestinal infections and to determine enzyme activity.

An instrumental examination is carried out to obtain additional information necessary to clarify the diagnosis if disturbances in the structure of the digestive tract and intestinal obstruction are suspected. In this case, the specialist prescribes the following procedures:

  • sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy - visual examination of the intestines from the inside using special equipment. The procedure is performed on young children only under general (intravenous) anesthesia;
  • FGDS - examination of the walls of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. For children under 3 years of age, the procedure is performed using the transnasal method (a tube is inserted through the nose); from 3 years and older, the same as for adults;
  • Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity;
  • X-ray of the abdominal cavity - rarely prescribed for children if there is a suspicion of severe inflammatory processes in the intestines and mechanical obstacles that interfere with the passage of feces and gases.

Only after receiving the results of a complete examination will the specialist be able to prescribe treatment tactics.

Treatment of intestinal colic in children

If the baby’s condition, in addition to severe pain due to colic, is aggravated by vomiting, nausea, high body temperature, loss of strength, or upset bowel movements, you should immediately call a doctor, since this indicates the development of a disease, against the background of which a spasm of the intestinal muscles has occurred. In this case, mandatory hospitalization is required.

In other cases, treatment of intestinal colic consists of normalizing the diet of the child or nursing mother, lightly massaging the tummy, and taking medications. Surgeries are performed only in emergency cases. One of these is complete intestinal obstruction (last stage).

Intestinal colic in young children is a normal phenomenon associated with the structural features of their body. If there are no aggravating symptoms with severe spasm, then you can help the child at home.

Eliminating airbrushing

To prevent your baby from swallowing large amounts of air while eating, you must:

  • do not feed the baby in a lying position;
  • after eating, hold him in a “column” until he burps the air trapped inside the stomach;
  • When bottle-feeding, make sure that the nipple on the bottle is appropriate for your age.

Massotherapy

  1. Place the palms of your hands on your baby's belly (make sure they are warm) and lightly stroke its surface.
  2. Using your middle and index fingers, apply gentle pressure to the lower left side of your abdomen and move in a circular motion up to your ribs, then down to the right side. Then move from right to left slightly below the previous trajectory.
  3. Next, massage in the very center of the abdomen (describing a clockwise circle around the navel).
  4. Make a “bicycle” by alternately pressing the baby’s legs to the stomach.
  5. You can finish the massage by rubbing the abdomen with the palm of your hand in a clockwise direction. If possible, it is better to use a fitness ball and, placing the baby on it (on the stomach), roll it for 2-3 minutes, carefully supporting it.

Elimination of increased gas formation

Intestinal colic in children under 1 year of age very often occurs due to increased gas formation. To alleviate the condition, you can use a gas outlet tube or a small rubber bulb-syringe. The tube or bulb is lubricated with Vaseline or baby cream and inserted into the rectum no deeper than 3 cm.


Under no circumstances should you use a thermometer or pieces of baby soap, placing them in the baby's anus to facilitate the passage of gases. Soap makes the rectal mucosa dry, which can cause cracks and abrasions during bowel movements. The thermometer can also damage the intestinal walls from the inside.

Nutrition

When bottle-feeding, the baby should be fed strictly at the same time. When breastfeeding, you should not give a new portion of milk earlier than 2-2.5 hours after the previous one. When introducing complementary foods, you should carefully monitor your baby's reaction to a new type of food. New foods can be introduced only after the previous ones have been completely absorbed and should not be given in large quantities.

Children over three years of age and nursing mothers should adhere to a special diet aimed at preventing colic and eliminating increased gas formation and fermentation processes in the intestines.

Recommended products for consumption Prohibited products
Fermented milk products, cottage cheese. Whole milk, full fat sour cream.
Boiled or steamed vegetables: potatoes, beets, zucchini, carrots. Legumes: peas, beans, Vegetables: cabbage, radish, turnip. Fresh fruits and berries.
Wheat crackers, dried bread, crackers. Yeast and butter baked goods and confectionery products: pastries, cakes, chocolate, honey, black bread.
Hard-boiled eggs, but no more than 1 pc. in a day. Raw or fried eggs.
Low-fat fish, lean meat without skin and veins: rabbit, turkey, veal, chicken. Salted, pickled, spicy, smoked and with a lot of spices dishes.
Slimy porridge cooked in water. Porridge: pearl barley, millet, pearl barley.
Compotes, jelly, cocoa in water, black tea (not strong), infusions and decoctions of herbs. Kvass, coffee, hot chocolate, chicory drinks, highly carbonated mineral water and lemonades.

Meals should be frequent, up to 5-6 times a day, in small portions. In this case, the products must be served in liquid, semi-liquid, mashed, pureed form and only warm. Cold and hot food is prohibited.

Medications

As for medicines, it can be given to children under 1 year of age and older.

A sharp painful urge to defecate, like muscle cramps, is intestinal colic, the causes of which can be very diverse. Abdominal colic leads to spasms in the walls of the colon due to the development of the inflammatory process and other provoking factors. What is intestinal colic, what are the causes, symptoms and treatment in adults, we will consider in more detail in this article.

First, colic in adults begins to manifest itself in the form of spastic contractions in the walls of the large or small intestine, gradually covering the entire intestinal cavity, leading to many unpleasant symptoms. In adults, colic is usually caused by stretching of the intestinal loop, irritation of the nerve endings in the intestinal walls against the background of:

  • excessive lifting of weights;
  • development of intestinal infections;
  • diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or oral cavity;
  • allergies;
  • intestinal obstruction with the accumulation of stool masses in the intestines;
  • motility disorders in the cavity of the large intestine;
  • eating large portions of food at one time;
  • intestinal damage from drugs or spoiled foods or helminthic infestations;
  • dysentery.

Intestinal colic in adults cannot be called an independent disease; rather, it is a sign of the development of one or another pathology in the digestive system, which can lead to:

  • spasms of intestinal smooth muscles;
  • painful attacks in the lower abdomen;
  • increased gas formation and stool upset;
  • discharge of feces with mucus.

Typically, colic in the intestines manifests itself in attacks, sometimes quite long - more than 2-3 days. Symptoms directly depend on the cause that led to the disorder in the gastrointestinal tract. In addition to spasms, abdominal pain, stool disorders, diarrhea or diarrhea, adults experience heartburn, nausea, vomiting, bloating, intestinal obstruction due to impaired motility in the large intestine, accumulation of feces, leading to a narrowing of the lumen in the small intestine and spastic attacks as a result . The condition is dangerous and can lead to paralysis of the intestines and appendix. Sometimes the patient requires emergency care and inevitable surgical intervention.

The causes of colic in women during pregnancy can be due to a sedentary lifestyle, a malfunction of the digestive system against the background of:

  • non-compliance with the diet;
  • passive sedentary lifestyle, lack of gymnastic exercises.

As a rule, intestinal colic in adults manifests itself as sudden attacks, pain in the lower abdomen after overeating. Pregnant women are strictly prohibited from eating large portions of food. The fetus increases in size, begins to put pressure on the uterus, and the load on the digestive tract and intestines as a whole increases. As a result, large portions of food lead to disruption of intestinal motility and spastic attacks in the lower abdomen. Diarrhea or constipation is inevitable. If similar symptoms of intestinal colic appear, then women can take a tablet of no-shpa or papaverine to relieve pain and spasms, but in any case consult a doctor urgently.

Typically, intestinal colic in the abdomen in an adult appears suddenly in the form of a sharp pain in the lower abdomen with a return to the lower back during physical overexertion or when running fast or eating large amounts of spicy, fatty foods. The cutting pain that covers the entire lower abdomen sometimes reaches such strength that you just want to scream. Gradually it grows, radiating to the groin area and genitals due to irritation of the nerve fibers of the peritoneum and impaired discharge of gases.

With colic in the intestines, adults experience nausea, dizziness, headache, and flatulence. Also associated symptoms:

  • increased blood pressure in hypertensive patients;
  • impotence immediately after partial bowel movement;
  • Pain in the lower abdomen for a long time even after going to the toilet.

Symptoms of colic against the background of acute gastritis are observed in the form of heaviness in the abdomen, belching, nausea and vomiting. When there are cramps in the stomach, the stool passes with mucous secretions. If the intestine is clogged, then the main symptoms of obstruction are:

  • paleness of the skin;
  • cold sweat;
  • prostration;
  • severe weakness.

If such signs appear, you should urgently consult a doctor. As a rule, with intestinal colic there is no high temperature, although if the body is intoxicated by infection or helminthic infestations, it may rise to 38-39 degrees. Moreover, the symptoms are basically similar to the common cold.

In adults, the main signs of intestinal disease are acute, increasing pain involving the genital organs and radiating to the genitals. I feel very dizzy, feces pass with mucous secretions, and gas formation is impaired. There is no muscle tension, but there is severe pain and spasms in the lower abdomen, with a stomach ulcer - all signs of diarrhea.

The appearance of intestinal colic in adults requires a thorough examination, a series of tests to establish the true cause that led to such a pathology, and to determine the pathological factors that can provoke the disease. Perhaps an infectious process is occurring in the stomach or intestines. If signs of intestinal obstruction are observed, emergency surgical intervention is required. Only a set of diagnostic measures will identify pathology; symptoms and treatment will depend directly on the test results obtained. The doctor will definitely listen to complaints, feel the stomach, and identify visual signs of the disease.

The main diagnostic method is a culture test for the presence of intestinal helminthic infections and the development of dysbacteriosis. To make a final diagnosis, it is possible to redirect the patient to colonoscopy, gastroduodenoscopy, or cholecystography. Depending on the type of colic, sometimes the patient has a fever and gums bleed, which requires immediate and comprehensive treatment.

The basic principle of treatment is “do no harm.” Often, when intestinal colic appears, adults try to eliminate the pathology on their own, taking the first pills that come to hand, which can only cause complications and lead to complications in diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

First of all, it is important to identify the reasons that provoked cramps in the intestines. This may be the course of an acute infection in the body, the development of a tumor in the gastrointestinal tract, hepatitis, or urolithiasis.

As first aid, before the ambulance arrives or the doctor arrives, you can take an antispasmodic (Nosh-pa tablet, Papaverine). It is not recommended to take other painkillers unless directed by a doctor.

If these are ordinary intestinal colics, then no treatment is required; relief should come after passing gas and going to the toilet. The attacks will stop completely after 12 hours.

If attacks of intestinal colic are associated with the anatomical characteristics of the body in adults, the presence of concomitant diseases or the use of alcohol, smoking, psychotropic drugs, what to do, first of all, it is important to review the diet, eat food only in small portions, do not allow overeating (in particular salty and fried food), give up bad habits.

It is non-compliance with the diet and snacking on the run that often causes spasms and pain in the intestines. As a result, they lead to serious complications and even irreversible processes in adults, further difficult treatment: jaundice, hepatitis, rupture of appendicitis, suppuration and rupture of the appendix, neoplasms in the gastrointestinal tract, necrosis of the pancreas, suppuration in the kidneys, renal failure.

In such cases, surgical intervention and emergency surgery are already inevitable. If primary symptoms appear, your doctor will tell you how to treat colic, you should not delay treatment.

If colic occurs due to overeating or eating poor quality food, you should try to induce vomiting to empty the stomach of food debris. To eliminate pain, Spazmalgon, No-shpa, Smecta, Enterosgel will help to remove toxins.

When colic occurs, sometimes, but with the doctor's permission, it is possible to perform an enema to cleanse and empty the intestines. If a viral illness appears, you can take activated charcoal.

If colic is caused by severe stress, then you should take a warm bath to calm and relieve pain.

Colic can be caused by serious gastrointestinal diseases, infection of any part of the intestine, the development of cholecystitis, gastritis, pancreatitis or colitis. First of all, treatment of the underlying disease is required, elimination of intestinal dyskinesia, restoration of impaired motor function.

Many problems can be adjusted with nutrition. A diet for intestinal colic that includes foods containing fiber in the diet is indispensable. In case of excessive accumulation of gases, take Meteospasmil, Espumisan, Drotaverine to reduce gas formation.

To relax the intestinal muscles and normalize contractions, you can prepare an immortelle decoction as first aid; in the first hours of colic, refuse to eat at all except for drinking tea without sugar.

Among the medications, Diphenhydramine and Becarbon will help to relieve spasms and relax the intestinal muscles. It is possible to prescribe rectal suppositories (papaverine in the form of injections), as well as antibiotics for the development of colic due to intestinal damage by bacteria, toxins, and infections. Furazolidone, Gentamicin to relieve inflammation and disinfect the intestines. In case of infectious infection of the intestines, a glucose drip is prescribed. In severe cases - blood transfusion. For intestinal spasms caused by the development of a tumor, courses of radiation and chemotherapy, and the prescription of anticancer drugs are indicated.

After undergoing an examination, passing urine and stool tests, ultrasound, and establishing the true cause that provoked intestinal disorders, the doctor will prescribe appropriate therapy. Self-treatment of spasms can lead to complications and other irreversible consequences.

Treatments such as traditional methods are most likely suitable for preventing the possible appearance of waders in the intestines. Traditional methods are effective only after the true cause of pain and cramping in the abdomen has been established, only after the attending physician has made a final diagnosis and prescribed the main treatment.

To eliminate renal colic, you can prepare a decoction of sage, chamomile, knotweed, rose hips, linden blossom, and birch cones. Prepare a carrot and onion salad with honey.

Taking on an empty stomach for liver spasms will help with an infusion of senna herb, cinnamon, a decoction of oak bark or birch mushroom.

A decoction of oregano, motherwort, chamomile, and immortelle effectively eliminates diarrhea, nausea and cramps. Recipes against colic with the addition of garlic for oral administration in its natural form are popular among people.

For colic in the pancreas, a diet containing daily oatmeal jelly is effective for a beneficial effect not only on the pancreas, but also on the entire gastrointestinal tract.

If treatment with folk remedies is unsuccessful and does not get easier, then you need to consult a doctor. For colic caused by the appendix, folk remedies will no longer help; the disease may progress to a chronic stage, when surgical intervention can no longer be avoided.

For primary symptoms, you can make a decoction of blackberries, wormwood, and tarragon. If colic is caused by chemical and lead poisoning, home remedies will not help. It is necessary to urgently consult a doctor. After completing the main treatment course at home, it is necessary to establish nutrition. To remove residual toxins and other chemical elements from the body, include eggs (whites), cereal broths from rice, buckwheat, and oats in the diet.

First of all, to avoid such a problem, it is important to follow a diet and regulate proper nutrition. Never give up a light breakfast to start your stomach, but on-the-run snacks consisting of sandwiches should be eliminated forever. It's better to eat fruit and drink a milkshake.

If you are constantly suffering from constipation, it is recommended to drink a decoction of flax seeds to cleanse the body and completely avoid spicy, salty foods. Include protein foods in your diet, do not eat at night (it is better to drink a glass of yogurt, kefir), refuse or limit your intake of alcohol and smoking. Also, do not forget about timely treatment of colds and infectious diseases. Normal colic should not be neglected. If severe pain and spasms in the intestines begin to bother you constantly, these may be symptoms of serious ailments in the body. Only timely consultation with a doctor will help to avoid serious health problems in the future.