Drugs for intestinal colic in adults. The first signs of intestinal colic in women. Acute intestinal obstruction

Painful muscle contractions and abdominal cramps can occur for many reasons, however, staging correct diagnosis essential for treatment.

The sensation of cramping pain is associated with painful spasms in the intestines and requires proper therapy.

Constipation, viral infections, diarrhea and food poisoning, as well as many other factors, can cause abdominal cramps.

When you experience abdominal colic, what should you do? The answer to this question will lie in identifying the causes of this condition.

Causes

Although colic may only last a few minutes, it can be quite severe and make life literally unbearable for the sufferer.

Gives colic painful sensations due to involuntary contraction of the abdominal muscles. When these abnormal contractions are accompanied by increased frequency of bowel movements and diarrhea, one cannot help but take this phenomenon seriously, since this symptomatology signals the presence of a digestive disorder.

In some cases, colic is limited certain part abdomen, indicating that any organ in abdominal cavity Does not work properly. It could be:

• gallbladder;
• pancreas;
• intestines.

However, when colic and similar pains affect a large part of the abdomen, it is often due to overeating and an inactive lifestyle, which lead to gas, indigestion and bloating.

The causes of severe muscle cramps and stomach cramps can range from minor factors to serious problems.

Eating contaminated food can lead to food poisoning.

Infection by viral agents (for example, rotavirus) is also possible. Common symptoms viral infections are diarrhea, muscle spasms, constipation, nausea and vomiting.

Infections such as viral gastroenteritis can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.

Lactose intolerance is another cause of gastrointestinal problems. Lactose is present in milk and dairy products. Some people cannot tolerate lactose because the body cannot digest it easily.

Intolerance to this substance can cause colic and abdominal cramps in certain people. Other symptoms include flatulence, bloating, nausea and diarrhea.

Lack of coordination between the intestinal muscles and the nervous system causes irritable bowel syndrome.

Symptoms of this digestive disorder include cramping, colic, constipation, bloating and nausea. On initial stages IBS, colic goes away after defecation, but after a while they come back again.

Another cause of abdominal colic is gastritis. The perception of pain is first felt above the navel and it moves downwards, forming severe abdominal colic.

Other signs of cramping include nausea, diarrhea, bad smell from the mouth and belching, as well as stomach pain.

In some people, gluten is hardly absorbed by the body and causes gluten intolerance. Consuming gluten can cause damage to the small intestine if a person suffers from celiac disease.

With this disease small intestine lacks the ability to absorb nutrients, which leads to colic, dehydration and fatigue.

Severe abdominal pain may be a symptom of colon cancer. The formation of a tumor in the colon causes obstruction and constipation.

Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) can also cause abdominal cramps and intestinal dysfunction.

The pancreas is mainly involved in the production of enzymes and digestive juices that allow the body to metabolize ingested food.

It is believed that pancreatitis is often diagnosed in alcoholics. Regardless of what its cause is, the symptoms of pancreatitis that are observed in patients include:

• abdominal pain of a girdling nature;
• gas formation;
• nausea;
• diarrhea.

With cholecystitis, the gallbladder becomes inflamed. The main task of the gallbladder is to concentrate bile (digestive juice) from the liver and transfer it to the region duodenum for normal digestion.

Formation gallstones in the bubble and stones in bile ducts– the most common causes of cholecystitis.

Patients with this disease often complain of colic in the right side of the abdominal region. As the condition progresses, it can affect the liver and cause jaundice.

Some studies show that people who have crossed the age of 60 are prone to suffer from diverticulosis, a condition in which inner wall In the colon, pouched structures (pouches, also called diverticula) form.

In most cases, these multiple bags are found in the lower left side of the intestine. These formations are harmless and usually do not affect normal work intestines.

Consequently, many people do not even realize that they have diverticula. However, when these pouches become inflamed, the condition is called diverticulitis. It is characterized by colic, which usually occurs on the left side of the abdominal region.

Appendicitis causes inflammation of the appendix (the structure of the cecum). Colic, which causes severe pain in the right side of the abdomen, is the most well-known manifestation of appendicitis.

In addition to severe pain and fever, patients may also experience diarrhea or constipation.

Infections that are found in the digestive tract can also cause health problems such as stomach ulcers and gastroenteritis.

Intra-abdominal colic, along with diarrhea and vomiting, are common features many stomach diseases.

People with stomach problems often lose their appetite. Abdominal discomfort is often seen as a warning sign of stomach ulcers.

Persistent diarrhea accompanied by abdominal cramps may also indicate colon cancer. Until the tumor is large enough, symptoms usually do not appear and therefore go undetected.

However, once the cancer spreads, significant rectal bleeding in the form of bloody diarrhea may occur.

Eating contaminated food often causes food poisoning, which can cause diarrhea and is accompanied by abdominal cramps.

Therapy and prevention

It is always possible to take preventive measures early stages colic in the stomach.

Need to eat healthy food and follow a diet that includes fiber supplements and increased fluid intake. In addition, you can eat bran along with oatmeal.

It is important to protect yourself from anxiety and stress. Exercise and yoga are beneficial for maintaining normal psychological state and avoiding abdominal discomfort.

Making changes in a person's lifestyle through healthy and regular exercise will help them live a fulfilling life without health problems.

Abdominal colic can be easily eliminated if you pay attention to this condition in a timely manner.

Treatment for colic and abdominal pain may vary from one person to another, depending on the cause and general condition health.

If available minor reason(such as excessive gas) home remedies such as consuming lemon and ginger help relieve pain.

Ginger root tea has healing properties with intra-abdominal spasms and colic.

High fiber diet, avoiding fast food, preventing overconsumption alcohol can help avoid most digestive system problems.

Consuming foods rich in probiotic bacteria, which help maintain health intestinal flora, may help relieve symptoms of constipation and colic.

The patient should still consult a doctor if he often suffers from pain and colic in the abdomen.

Only after the doctor knows the medical history and type of symptoms will he be able to identify the causes of colic and tell the patient what to do to get rid of the pain.

Useful video

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Health 03.11.2017

Dear readers, today we will talk about abdominal cramps. If you have never encountered them, you are very happy man, and I'm very happy for you. But I myself suffered greatly from such a problem before. Sometimes they still appear. I have learned to cope with them, I hope that our article today will help many of you who have such a problem. A doctor of the highest category, Evgeniya Nabrodova, will tell us more professionally about the reasons for their appearance and possible treatment. I give her the floor.

What is colic? This cramping pain, which occur predominantly in the peritoneal area. They can be of varying intensity and indicate either a banal diet violation or the development of serious diseases of internal organs. Abdominal colic causes inconvenience to a person, and if it occurs periodically, it significantly reduces the quality of life. To eliminate discomfort and intestinal spasms, it is necessary to determine the causes possible violations and diseases. It can do qualified specialist. By using modern methods After diagnosis, the doctor will determine the causes of abdominal colic in an adult and determine further treatment.

Causes of abdominal colic

Intestinal colic may be associated with acute or chronic diseases or occur due to dietary disturbances. Most often, abdominal cramps appear due to overeating and eating foods calling processes fermentation and rotting. This can also happen due to a deficiency of enzymes that break down food, and the doctor prescribes them for individual drugs. It is necessary to work with each patient separately, be sure to carry out comprehensive diagnostics. Of course, you can take an antispasmodic tablet and forget about colic for a while, but this does not solve the problem.

Common causes of abdominal colic in adults:

• binge eating;
• eating poor quality food;
• predominance in diet gas-forming products(cabbage, legumes, corn, potatoes);
• intestinal infections;
• chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• helminthic infestations;
• dysbacteriosis;
• poor nutrition, abundance of fatty foods in the diet, fried foods And simple carbohydrates;
• constant psycho-emotional stress.

Intestinal colic can occur at any age, even in children, and is detected in young and middle-aged people. Experts have noticed that women suffer from them somewhat more often than men. This is due to the nature of the work nervous system and hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycle. Abdominal cramps tend to intensify shortly before menstruation, before important events, which makes it possible to suspect a connection between colic and psychological factors.

How do abdominal cramps manifest?

The clinical manifestations of colic are varied. Additionally, the following symptoms may occur:

• stool disorders: constipation, which often alternates with diarrhea;
• feeling incomplete emptying intestines;
• nausea and vomiting;
• belching;
• bloating;
• pain in the epigastrium and hypochondrium;
• headache;
• increased body temperature;
• decreased performance and sleep disturbances.

As you can see, it is impossible to accurately determine the causes of colic based on the patient’s complaints alone. It is important to adequately assess your well-being and not try to drown out the pain. symptomatic means. Medicines for colic should be prescribed by a doctor. Pain is the main symptom of colic. It can be aching and dull or sharp and unbearable.

If abdominal pain intensifies, you must urgently call an ambulance. Colic can occur during medical emergencies, including appendicitis, acute pancreatitis and intestinal obstruction. In women, colic in the lower abdomen often appears due to problems with the appendages and ectopic pregnancy.

Examination for abdominal colic

Diagnosis of colic may include the following procedures:

• Ultrasound of the abdominal organs;
• irrigoscopy;
• CT scan of the intestines;
• colonoscopy;
• sigmoidoscopy;
• laboratory tests of blood, feces, urine.

The main purpose of examination for colic is to identify organic pathology, which can lead to spasms, stool disturbances and worsening general well-being. Sometimes you have to carry out several at once instrumental methods studies to assess the severity of the patient’s condition and prevent complications.

Irritable bowel syndrome and abdominal cramps

Irritable bowel syndrome refers to functional disorders of the digestive system and is characterized by the appearance of prolonged pain in combination with stool disorders. The disease is based on impaired peristalsis of the large intestine due to poor nutrition and psychological problems.

Pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome is more likely to have stupid character. Localized in the lower abdomen. Many patients, against the background of this disorder, periodically develop additional symptoms: nausea, loss of appetite, physical weakness, worsening sleep. The disease has chronic course, requires integrated approach to treatment. Colic in the lower abdomen with irritable bowel syndrome can be eliminated by changing your diet and lifestyle. Some patients require consultation with a psychologist or psychotherapist. Drug therapy is prescribed only if specialists detect organic pathology (pancreatitis, gastritis, dysbacteriosis).

This video clearly explains irritable bowel syndrome and how to combat this disease.

Pancreatitis and abdominal cramps

Frequent colic in the abdomen, especially in its upper part, occurs with chronic pancreatitis. This disease is characterized by inflammation of the pancreas and a gradual change in its structure. In recent years chronic pancreatitis occurs in young people under 35 years of age, whereas previously it was detected mainly after 55 years of age. This trend is associated with an increase in the number of people who abuse alcoholic drinks lead an unhealthy lifestyle and eat irrationally.

Other factors that lead to the development of chronic pancreatitis:

• cholelithiasis;
• metabolic disease;
• autoimmune processes;
• lack of regular physical activity against the background of obesity;
• high content of simple carbohydrates, fried and fatty foods in the diet.

Pain in the upper abdomen, which often develops into left hypochondrium, often encircles the entire peritoneum. The pain syndrome is combined with nausea and vomiting, severe gas formation in the intestines. The stool is unstable, constipation may alternate with diarrhea. Against the background of constant aching pain and deterioration in general well-being, body weight may decrease.

What to do for abdominal colic in an adult?

Experts do not recommend self-medication if abdominal colic occurs. When a person is left alone with severe pain, he can become confused. The first desire is to accept effective medicine for colic, which will relieve pain. But analgesics and antispasmodics can erase clinical picture if severe spasms appear against the background emergency conditions(acute pancreatitis, appendicitis, intestinal obstruction). Therefore, when colic begins, you need to call a specialist at home or go to the nearest medical Center see a gastroenterologist, therapist or surgeon.

Colic is especially dangerous during pregnancy, which can hide serious disorders, including the threat of miscarriage and premature birth. Be carefull! If a woman has abdominal cramps, but her lower back still hurts (with bloody discharge or without them), consult a doctor immediately!

During pregnancy, women have increased levels of progesterone, a hormone that relaxes the smooth muscles of the uterus and helps bring the fetus to term. But smooth muscle fibers are also located in the intestines, and that is why pregnant women often experience colic, constipation and other stool disorders. Correct selection Enzymatic agents and diet help quickly solve the problem.

Drug treatment and nutrition rules

From medicines at intestinal colic The following may be prescribed:

• antispasmodics;
• analgesics;
• enzymatic agents;
• drugs that normalize intestinal microflora;
• anti-inflammatory drugs;
• antibiotics.

Antibacterial drugs are prescribed for intestinal infections high risk of complications due to pancreatitis, cholelithiasis. Basically, experts limit themselves to antispasmodics and enzymes that improve the digestion process.

If a patient is diagnosed with intestinal dysbiosis, probiotic cultures are required. Probiotics and prebiotics are responsible not only for the quality of digestion, but also for the activity of the immune system. Most of immune cells are located precisely in the intestinal mucosa, which forms a protective intestinal barrier.

But probiotics alone are not enough to combat chronic dysbiosis and digestive disorders. It is important to adhere to the principles dietary nutrition. Must be present in your diet fresh fruits, vegetable fiber, complex carbohydrates And healthy protein, which can be obtained from lean meat and fish. Avoid fried foods, fast food, chips, soda and any other junk food that clogs your intestines and causes chronic abdominal pain.

It is recommended to eat food at the same time, in small portions. Frequent meals trigger metabolic processes, speeds up metabolism and helps you feel better even in very busy conditions. Instead of a fried patty dripping with grease, eat a safe homemade sandwich with a cup in between meals. When it comes time for lunch or dinner, the food should be complete: complex carbohydrates with vegetables, fish, salad, soups, cottage cheese with fruit.

If desired, you can take prepared dishes with you to work or on the road, placing the food in small containers. Today you can buy thermal mugs and thermoses of various sizes, where liquid and food are heated in a matter of seconds.

The diet for intestinal colic is selected taking into account the main symptoms and the diagnosis. If the patient complains of diarrhea, then it is necessary to temporarily exclude plant fiber from the diet and prescribe astringents and fixatives. For constipation, on the contrary, cereals, vegetables and fruits, and bran bread are useful. It is recommended to drink a glass every morning on an empty stomach cool water and massage the abdomen for colic, accompanied by flatulence and difficult to pass gases.

When is urgent medical attention needed?

Urgent medical attention is needed for the following symptoms:

• unbearable abdominal pain;
• frequent vomiting, nausea;
• yellowing of the mucous membranes, skin and sclera (suspicion of acute pancreatitis and hepatitis);
• diarrhea, combined with severe pain and cramps;
• pale skin;
• loss of consciousness.

Abdominal pain with frequent colic appears mainly after eating or before bowel movements. If pain syndrome increases and does not go away completely after taking classical antispasmodics and analgesics, the situation is serious and you need to seek urgent medical help.

Traditional medicine for colic

Alternative treatment can help reduce gas formation and improve digestion. Recommended consumption dill water to combat persistent flatulence. and helps improve digestion. Fresh one has the same effect: it is recommended to drink 0.5 glasses of it on an empty stomach every morning. It reduces signs of inflammation and promotes healing of the digestive tract mucosa. Chamomile decoction has a positive effect not only on intestinal function, but also has a mild sedative effect on the body.

Frequently asked questions and answers

1. I suffer from frequent colic in the stomach, especially after eating. During the examination, no diseases were found. Pancreatin was prescribed. But colic does not disappear.

Most likely, the cause of colic is psychological. Because of increased anxiety, nervousness may occur functional disorders intestines. If the diagnosis does not confirm the presence of diseases of the digestive system, you need to contact a psychotherapist and start taking sedatives(as prescribed by a doctor).

2. What is the best test for intestinal spasms?

It's better to have an ultrasound first. The method is affordable, not dangerous and quite informative.

3. Is it possible to play sports with frequent intestinal colic?

Sports activities can even be useful, especially if you have gastrointestinal diseases. But training is contraindicated in acute conditions and the threat of their development.

Doctor of the highest category
Evgenia Nabrodova

My personal experience

I thank Evgenia for the information. And I'll add a little of my own. I first encountered colic when I had attacks with gallbladder. It turned out that there were stones. The pain was such that only ambulance. After the operation there were no such colics. But sometimes, when there are long breaks in food, you eat something wrong, when you get nervous, discomfort begins in the gastrointestinal tract and colic may occur.

I already know my condition. I learned to understand and not miss the very beginning. Of course, first of all, it's diet. Simply lying down helps me very well. Apparently, the intestines relax and the pain goes away. I also brew chamomile with flax seed and drink it throughout the day. I drink more and more as needed. Spasms and pain go away, inflammation is relieved. I wrote about my recipe in the article And it also saves me.

A course of probiotics helped a lot. I bought RioFlora Immuno for recovery normal microflora intestines.

Dear readers, I hope that our information will be useful to you. Health to all of us and life without colic!

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The pathological phenomenon - abdominal colic in adults - is not a separate disease in the field of gastroenterology, but only its manifestation. Every person has experienced painful discomfort inside the abdomen at least once in their entire life.

The range of root causes is quite wide, and even one cannot make a diagnosis by eye. experienced specialist— you will need several types of diagnostics.

The symptom itself should not be ignored by the doctor, especially if the person’s condition gradually worsens, or new symptoms are added as it develops. It is advisable to seek medical help immediately.

Colic in adults is a painful specific sensation inside the abdominal cavity, which is accompanied by diarrhea, noisy intestinal motility, nausea, sometimes leading to vomiting.

The localization of this symptom can be different, and the pain itself can migrate, which sometimes complicates the diagnosis of the disease. The patient feels that near the navel, in the right or left hypochondrium, near the iliac region is contracting muscle internal organs, then tingles, weakens after a change in body position and intensifies again, sometimes with even greater force.

Also, when the intestines spasm, gases do not pass away, which official medicine defines as "flatulence". This promotes swelling of the anterior abdominal wall and has nothing to do with overeating. Trying to touch the abdomen or lightly press on it causes pain to the patient.
Certain actions can reduce this sensation (warm heating pad, increasing motor activity, drinking heated milk), but they are useful only when the diagnosis has nothing to do with “ acute stomach" In medicine, this term unites everything emergency conditions requiring immediate surgical intervention. Otherwise, applying heat can be fatal.
Also, colic, which is accompanied by difficulties with the passage of intestinal gases, can provoke diarrhea after relieving tension in the abdominal wall with antispasmodics. This indicates problems with the function of the small and large intestines. It is important for the patient to take into account all the symptoms that develop against or after problems in the intestinal tract and report them to the doctor during the examination.

Causes

In patients with chronic problems digestive tract, there are no questions about why colic occurs and what are the symptoms of this pathological phenomenon. Such people know not only the manifestations of the onset of an exacerbation of the condition, but also, as a rule, what actions to take in this case in order to help themselves by reducing pain in the right or left hypochondrium or stomach. If the condition occurs acutely, for the first time, there may be several reasons for this.

1. Eating low-quality (expired) food. Consequences of haste, inattention when purchasing, preference for chaotic eating. First manifestation food poisoning – bad taste in the mouth, discomfort in the stomach, sensation of a lump rolling up to the throat. Within 2-3 hours there will be loud sounds inside the abdomen, colic in any projection of the peritoneum, dizziness, weakness, increased body temperature, weakness.
2. Non-compliance with diet. When a person ignores the nutritional system, does not follow it, refuses breakfast, but overeats before bed, gastric and intestinal problems can't be avoided.
3. Long-term use of medications. It is not for nothing that the accompanying sheet for each package of the drug contains information that clearly states the features of use. medication. This point was thought out by the manufacturer and the Healthcare Association in order to protect patients from possible side effects. Since colic in the abdomen in adults occurs due to reasons such as incorrect medication intake - on an empty stomach, whereas this should occur after eating.
4. Negatively affects mucous membrane digestive canal, simultaneous consumption of hot and cold foods. He suffers from such a reckless act protective function epithelium of the stomach and intestines. As a result, these organs are exposed dystrophic changes. In this state, there can no longer be any talk of full functioning.
5. Inflammatory processes of the digestive organs. Depending on the damage to a particular organ, the patient experiences right-sided pain, colic may be in the left hypochondrium and the umbilical region. If the disease was ignored acute form, then acquiring a chronic course, it will become aggravated quite often. Signs of exacerbation are nausea, bitter or putrid taste in the mouth, weakness, diarrhea, and frequent vomiting.

Attention! The volume of vomit is an important indicator. If attacks occur frequently, the patient loses a lot of fluid from the body. The approximate amount and frequency of vomiting should be reported to the doctor at the time of examination.

Emergency conditions that cause colic in adults

Except for situations where you can get by traditional treatment, there are emergencies clinical cases: the beginning of their development is also manifested by discomfort and some soreness inside the intestines. Colic with emergency situations have the only distinctive feature - they are always accompanied by pain and increased body temperature. The triad of symptoms requires immediate medical care, often involving surgery. Delay can be disastrous even for a few minutes.
These conditions include:

• Intestinal obstruction. Under the weight feces, present inside the intestine, the loops of the tract sag, causing extreme inconvenience for the patient. The condition is caused by the presence of adhesions or tumors inside the digestive canal: they prevent the full passage of food through the departments. The patient has pain not only in the left hypochondrium, but also throughout the entire circumference of the abdomen. Treatment is often surgical.
• Appendicitis. The spasms are cramping, similar to the description of the previous pathology, but there is never pain in the left hypochondrium - only on the right. The patient is also pale, restless, and experiencing severe pain when trying to touch the stomach. Treatment is surgical.
• Peritonitis. Inflammation of the abdominal cavity. One of the most difficult and dangerous conditions for humans. It occurs due to the entry of a pathological mass into the free cavity of the peritoneum. Often this occurs after the opening of an internal abscess, rupture of the organ, and then the spread of its contents throughout the body, due to suppuration of the sutures placed on internal organs. It will indicate the onset of inflammation - pain, which is accompanied not only by colic, noisy motor skills, but also by bloating, weakness, and loss of consciousness. But, first of all, a reason to think - elevated temperature body, which does not decrease even after taking antipyretics. Treatment is only surgery, followed by drainage of the peritoneum.

Each of these conditions requires immediate hospitalization, active infusion, and antibiotic therapy. Additionally, the patient's condition is monitored.

Treatment

Regardless of the cause of colic in adults, only a doctor should establish the full range of symptoms and prescribe treatment.

Attention! If the cause of the deterioration of the condition is unknown, it is better not to take analgesics until examined by a specialist; it is contraindicated to apply heat or take hot bath. The listed actions can aggravate the process if there is bleeding or suppuration inside the peritoneum.

Before the doctors arrive, it is permissible to drink an antispasmodic, but only if the patient is sure that he is not allergic to this drug. It will not be superfluous to take activated carbon.
After hospitalization, laboratory and instrumental examination, find out what specific disease is manifested in the patient by nausea, indigestion, left and right pain. Treatment involves eliminating the underlying pathology. Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and vitamin therapy is carried out. A gentle diet and regular visits to a gastroenterologist are also prescribed (if the disease is chronic).

Intestinal colic is a spasm of the smooth muscles of the intestines, manifested by cramping pain that either increases or subsides. Colic can be functional (temporary, reversible, caused by external reasons) or organic (caused by inflammation or injury, damage or intestinal obstruction). This is not a disease, but a symptom, the second most common after headache. Colic that occurs for the first time requires a medical examination, during which it becomes clear what actually happened.

According to statistics, up to 20% of the entire population of the planet suffers from intestinal colic, and in half of them a clear cause cannot be found.

Symptoms

Intestinal colic is an abnormal condition and always indicates a violation of the physiologically correct digestive process. The mechanism of formation is a burning, gnawing pain without clear localization, accompanied by vegetative manifestations: sweating, anxiety, pallor, nausea, vomiting. Pain with colic has medium or high intensity, which is caused by stretching and increased contraction of the intestinal wall.

Intestinal colic has common features and manifestations, but sometimes, based on its specificity, one or another disease can be suspected.

General manifestations

• periodic short-term intestinal pain;
• nausea or even vomiting at the height of pain;
• vegetative manifestations – cold sweat, increased heart rate, general anxiety;
• rumbling and bloating;
• cessation of colic after the passage of stool or gas.

Peculiarities of manifestations in various diseases

Disease	Specific symptoms
	the pain is constant, intensifies over time, against its background colic either intensifies or weakens; pain begins in the navel and goes down to the right iliac region; repeated vomiting; body temperature may rise
Food poisoning	required severe nausea and repeated vomiting, often mixed with bile; cold sweat, trembling in the body (“shaking”); diarrhea occurs; signs of dehydration - disorders heart rate, dry skin, small amount of urine; stool discoloration; general condition disorder
Reaction to stress	colic occurs after mental shock against the background of normal nutrition; pronounced emotional reaction – tears, lamentations; colic develops against the background of excessive nervous vulnerability or if the traumatic event is of high significance for the patient
	accompanied by symptoms of general intoxication - weight loss, weakness, decreased performance, refusal to eat meat; symptoms become more severe over time
	the passage of feces and gases stops; bowel sounds subside; signs of intoxication are increasing - lack of appetite, bad breath, weakness and lethargy
Inflammation	dyspeptic symptoms - aversion to food, severe nausea; alternating constipation and diarrhea; white coating on the tongue; swelling and pain on palpation
Lead poisoning	severe cramping pain around the navel; severe bloating; black and gray border on the gums; gray skin color, especially on the face; indication of work involving lead
	persistent constipation; feces in the form of a “fir cone”; flatulence; frequent pain in the left iliac region; decreased appetite; pustular skin rashes

Diagnosis of causes

Diagnosis is quite difficult, since there are many reasons. It all starts with data collection and examination, the results of which make it clear what disease to look for.

Taking an anamnesis is the most important stage, since it allows you to avoid many unnecessary tests. Every disease has characteristic features, which serve as a guide for the doctor.

Laboratory research

• general and biochemical blood test;
• general urine analysis;
• coprogram or laboratory test feces;
• stool occult blood test.

Instrumental studies

The set of instrumental examination methods varies depending on the suspected cause of colic and may include:

First aid for intestinal colic - how to relieve pain?

If colic occurs for the first time, then you need to consult a doctor and not delay it. On your own, especially during an attack of pain, it is impossible to determine what hurts and why.

If you have intestinal colic, you cannot take any medications on your own!

Medicines are prohibited because painkillers and antispasmodics change the clinical picture, and it will be impossible for the doctor to understand what happened. In addition, we are all designed in such a way that after the pain has calmed down, we are unlikely to see a doctor. The medications will do their job, and the disease will progress. It is clear that nothing good will come of this.

Before consulting a doctor, you need to visit the toilet. You can try to change the position of the body - find one in which the pain is least severe. You need to stop eating, even if you really want to eat. Still clean water you can drink as much as you want.

You should also not heat or rub anything - if the cause of colic is inflammation, then heating will only intensify it.

Treatment

Treatment should be carried out by a gastroenterologist after a thorough examination. According to the standards of medical care, the tactics are as follows:

• medicinal pain relief;
• nutrition correction;
• lifestyle modification – optimizing physical activity, changing professional loads, normalization of emotional state.

Medicines

WHO recommends using only level 1 analgesics – non-opioid – to relieve intestinal colic. Standard drug this row - paracetamol, recognized as the most effective and safe.

To enhance the analgesic effect, additional drugs are used:

• anticonvulsants – Finlepsin, valproic acid derivatives in the lowest possible doses;
• tricyclic antidepressants - Amitriptyline, Anafranil, Doxepin, Melipramine and the like.

Be sure to use, the most effective of which is hyoscine butyl bromide or Buscopan. The substance is an antagonist of endogenous muscarinic receptors, so a systemic effect does not develop, the effect affects only the intestines. The drug is available in tablets and suppositories, which significantly accelerates the onset of the therapeutic effect.

Diet

Nutrition needs to be given attention Special attention, because without normalization it is impossible to recover. Regular meals are required, always at the same time, without long breaks, in small portions.

Exercises

During periods between pain, walking, climbing stairs without an elevator, and other physical activity, which . Exercises for strengthening the abdominal muscles are very useful:

Massage

Massage improves blood and lymph flow, activates metabolic processes, strengthens and warms muscles.

Massage movements are performed with warm hands. The main ones are:

• stroking around the navel clockwise;
• “mill” - palms are placed across the abdomen, movements from the ribs to the pelvis alternate;
• stroking from the ribs to the pelvis with both palms at the same time.

Self-massage is not difficult to master, and its benefits are undeniable.

Folk remedies

Antique folk remedy– dill seeds boiled in milk. For a glass of milk you need to take 1 tablespoon of dill seeds and boil for no more than 5 minutes. Cool, strain and drink in small sips throughout the day.

Traditional medicine offers a variety of... The peculiarity of all is to take it for a long time, at least a month, since the concentration of the active substances is low. The following are used:

Folk remedies have to be selected by trial and error, but each person has the opportunity to find his own, most effective remedy.

Prevention

You can only prevent colic that is caused by eating low-quality foods - just don’t eat spoiled foods. Colic of other origins, accompanying illnesses or everyday disasters, is almost impossible to stop.

At chronic diseases intestines, it is only possible to undergo anti-relapse treatment on time and eat right.

The main thing is not to panic when intestinal colic appears. You need to calmly find out the cause and behave according to the diagnosis. Cooperation with a doctor and reasonable behavior are the key to good health.

Intestinal colic is an acute pain attack in the intestines that limits the patient’s daily activity. Colic is caused by various factors. The duration, severity and danger of a painful attack varies depending on the cause. In the article we will examine the topic: intestinal colic in adults, symptoms, treatment and causes of the disorder.

Colic

Causes of intestinal colic in adults

Intestinal colic - typical symptom chronic inflammatory disease intestines: Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC). At ulcerative colitis The mucous membranes of the sigmoid, colon and rectum (almost all parts of the large intestine) are affected. In Crohn's disease, which can spread throughout the entire digestive tract, most often only the small intestine is inflamed.

BC

However, even people who do not have chronic intestinal inflammation may sometimes experience seizures intestinal cramps. The causes are painful accumulations of gases in the intestines, adhesions, toxic megacolon or mechanical intestinal obstruction.

Bowel pain occurs when, for example, tumors, foreign bodies or disorders of the intestinal wall narrow or block intestinal tract. In rare cases poor nutrition or intolerance to certain foods causes severe colic.

Attention! It is worth noting that colic attacks begin as suddenly as they disappear. A painful attack lasts on average 10-30 minutes.

Certain psychosomatic reasons may manifest as colic in the intestines. In some cases severe stress also becomes a trigger for the appearance acute pain in a stomach.

Symptoms

Intestinal cramps often manifest as sudden pain in the abdominal area. They can be so strong that a person is unable to stand vertical position. Patients reflexively press their legs toward their stomach to reduce the intensity of pain. The total duration of the pain attack depends on the cause of colic. As mentioned above, on average it lasts no more than 10-30 minutes.

Cramps may be accompanied by other symptoms in men and women, such as diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever, weight loss, malaise, weakness, increased bowel sounds, and bloating (flatulence).

Flatulence

Types of colic in adults

Intestinal infections and toxic infections

Appendicitis can cause unbearable intestinal colic. As a rule, when the appendix is ​​inflamed, the pain begins in the upper abdomen and gradually migrates to the right bottom part. Typical sign this disease becomes pain that occurs when pressing on certain points of the right lower section abdomen (Lanza and McBurney point).

Increased pain when releasing the palpating hand from the abdomen is considered a sign of acute appendicitis. During this test, the doctor presses on the left lower abdomen and then abruptly releases it. This causes appendicitis pain in the lower right abdomen.

Flu, acute respiratory viral infection, acute respiratory infection

One of the causes of intestinal spasm may be infectious gastroenteritis. In everyday life, gastroenteritis is called “ stomach flu" It is caused by certain bacteria (Campylobacter, Salmonella) or viruses (noroviruses, rotaviruses, other enteroviruses).

In addition to abdominal pain, diarrhea (diarrhea) and vomiting occur. Most symptoms disappear without pharmacological or other intervention after a few days. Note that the cause of intestinal spasms can be not only gastroenteritis, but also duodenitis (inflammation of the duodenum).

Helminth infection

Acute intestinal obstruction

Intestinal obstruction is a condition in which the normal movement of food through the digestive tract due to mechanical or functional reasons. Mechanical causes include foreign bodies, tumors and intestinal adhesions. TO functional reasons include intestinal paralysis due to the action of toxic substances, medicines or occlusion of the mesenteric arteries.

Obstruction

In both cases, intestinal obstruction can cause nausea, vomiting, changes in stool consistency, and severe abdominal pain. In case of mechanical blockade it is required surgery, because the foreign body may perforate the intestinal wall.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis begins with a comprehensive study of the medical history. The doctor must clearly exclude functional or psychosomatic causes and conduct differential diagnosis colic with diseases of the stomach and gall bladder.

Important! If severe intestinal spasms occur, the causes and treatment should be determined by a doctor in a hospital setting.

Correctly identifying the cause of intestinal colic, psychosomatic or functional, is a very difficult task for the doctor. It is important for him to find out whether the patient requires treatment, or the disorder will pass without drug intervention.

Organic causes of intestinal colic can be diagnosed using ultrasound and X-ray examinations, endoscopy, computer, magnetic resonance and single-photon tomography. If the diagnosis is unclear, laparoscopy is performed. Computer visualization can be supplemented contrast agent to get the best photos. Equally important is the description of the symptoms by the patient himself; this helps the doctor more accurately diagnose the cause of colic.

Treatment of colic in adults

Patients are interested in the question of how to treat abdominal colic. Treatment for intestinal spasms depends on the specific cause. Infectious gastroenteritis usually goes away on its own within a few days. This disease requires you to take enough fluids and electrolytes. In rare cases bacterial infection may require the use of antibiotics.

Invasive intervention will be needed for malignant diseases, elimination of gallstones and intestinal obstruction. In most cases, appendicitis also requires surgery. Otherwise, conservative therapy is used.

If food allergy causes intestinal spasms, it is necessary to exclude certain foods from the diet.

Heat can relieve abdominal cramps. Sometimes the doctor prescribes antispasmodics which help relieve discomfort.

Prevention

Many people wonder what to do if acute abdominal pain occurs. If intestinal colic occurs, you should always seek medical help. Various self-help measures (such as diet adjustments) and home remedies do not help speedy recovery. In most cases, you need to take medications (tablets) that will help relieve an attack of pain. However, some gastrointestinal disorders can be treated bed rest and proper nutrition.

During the first ten days after colic, eating too fatty, spicy, sweet, salty or high-calorie foods is not allowed. Instead, it is better to eat crackers and light soups, and drink a lot.

Folk remedies can help combat symptoms. St. John's wort and dill have a calming effect, while tea with cumin and chamomile relieves spasms in the gastrointestinal tract. Warm baths, herbal teas and dietary supplements also help cure a spasmodic intestine.

St. John's wort

The kidneys and abdominal area should be kept warm at all times. This not only helps ease acute symptoms colic, but also prevents other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.