Everything You Need to Know About Treating Colic Treatment in Adults and Children

There is no doubt that colic is a highly distressing health problem; it may last for hours without a clear cause, and in children, you may find them crying continuously without knowing the reason behind that crying.

Colic affects children just as it affects adults, but the way colic is treated differs between adults and children, and its causes also differ. So, what are the best ways to treat colic? And before that, what are the causes of colic occurring in any part of the abdomen?

Why Does Colic Occur?

Colic occurs when there is a blockage inside a hollow organ of the body, such as the intestines, gallbladder, rectum, ureter, or kidneys.

In an attempt to get rid of this blockage, the muscles in these organs contract forcefully, causing the well-known colicky pain.

A colic episode may last for up to 5 hours, with severe pain that gradually subsides, and in some cases, colic may last only a few minutes.

Symptoms of Biliary Colic

People with biliary colic feel sudden, severe abdominal pain, usually in the middle of the upper abdomen or just below the ribs on the right side. The pain may also radiate to the side or the shoulder blade.

Cause of Biliary Colic

Biliary colic occurs when a gallstone temporarily blocks one of the bile ducts—the ducts that carry bile from the gallbladder and liver through the pancreas to the small intestine to digest fats.

When Does Biliary Colic Occur?

Biliary colic usually occurs after eating a large meal, especially a fatty one, since more bile needs to be released to break down fat. However, biliary colic can generally occur at any time.

Symptoms of Renal Colic

Renal colic occurs when kidney stones move through the urinary tract—whether in the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. Pain or colic is more likely when a kidney stone prevents urine from passing from the kidney to the bladder.

The pain here is in the lower abdomen or on the side of the body between the ribs and hips. It may also radiate to the groin and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

Symptoms of Intestinal Colic

The intestines may also cause abdominal colic due to a blockage—partial or complete—which prevents the passage of food, fluids, air, or stool.

The intestines may become blocked for any of the following reasons:

• Scar tissue from previous abdominal surgery
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Diverticulitis
• Cancerous tumors
• Impacted stool

Other symptoms that may accompany intestinal colic include:

• Difficulty passing gas or stool
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Bloating

Other Possible Causes of Colic in Adults

Some health conditions may mimic the symptoms of colic in adults, such as:

• Acid reflux
• Stomach ulcers
• Gastroparesis
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Endometriosis
• Colon and rectal cancer
• Gluten intolerance or celiac disease

Symptoms of Colic in Children

In children, colic symptoms include crying:

• More than 3 hours a day
• More than 3 days a week
• More than 3 weeks

Crying is more common in the evening, although crying for several hours during the day may also occur. Additionally, the child may show signs such as:

• Irritability
• Pulling up the legs, arching the back, or clenching fists
• Facial redness
• Appearing to calm down, then crying again
• Loud and intense crying
• Difficulty soothing the child

Causes of Colic in Children

There is no exact cause of colic in infants, but several factors may contribute, such as:

• Abdominal pain due to gas from swallowing air during feeding or crying
• Reflux
• Food allergies
• Milk protein intolerance
• An early form of migraine
• Emotional response to frustration, fear, or excitement
• An immature digestive system

Home Treatment for Colic in Adults

Colic in adults can be managed by following these tips when experiencing abdominal pain:

• Drink water or clear fluids in small amounts
• Avoid solid foods during the first few hours of pain
• If vomiting occurs, wait six hours before eating, then resume light foods like rice or crackers and avoid dairy products
• Avoid fatty and fried foods, tomato products, caffeine, and carbonated drinks
• Apply warm compresses to the abdomen
• Try a laxative if you have been constipated for several days
• Go for a walk or take a warm bath

This does not replace consulting a doctor or using proper medical treatment, including medication or surgery in cases like kidney or gallbladder stones that need to be removed to treat colic.

Home Treatment for Colic in Children

After ensuring the child is not hungry or distressed for another reason, the following can help soothe and distract the child during episodes of pain:

• Holding and cuddling the child
• Swaddling the child with a soft blanket
• Walking with the child
• Singing or speaking gently
• Gently rocking the child with a swing, for example
• Gently rubbing the child’s back
• Taking the child for a car ride
• A warm bath may help some babies with colic
• Gentle circular abdominal massage before crying starts (but not after feeding)

Colic Medications from the Pharmacy

Colic Treatment for Children

1. Oga Infant Colic Relief – 30 ml

Oga Colic Relief for infants (30 ml) is a dietary supplement containing zinc and natural oils that help reduce colic and gas, with a natural orange flavor.

2. Dentinox – 100 ml

Dentinox infant drops contain dimeticone, which helps expel gas from the digestive system and treat colic in infants.

Colic Treatment for Adults

3. Buscopan 10 mg – 20 tablets

Buscopan 10 Mg 20 Tablets contains the active ingredient hyoscine butyl bromide, an antispasmodic that helps relieve abdominal cramping by relaxing the smooth muscles of the digestive tract, thereby treating colic and abdominal pain.

4. Nospasm 10 mg – 30 tablets

Nospasm 10 mg 30 Tablets also contains hyoscine butyl bromide, which treats colic by reducing spasms in the digestive system, providing pain relief.

When Should You See a Doctor?

You should seek medical advice immediately if abdominal pain persists, especially if the underlying cause is unknown. You must also see a doctor right away if you experience:

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Persistent or severe abdominal pain that does not improve in any position
• Fever and chills
• Increased heart rate
• Inability to drink without vomiting
• Persistent vomiting
• Blood in stool or urine
• Reduced urine output

Prevention Tips for Colic in Adults

It is recommended to follow these tips to reduce the likelihood of colic:

• Treat underlying health conditions such as Crohn’s disease, gallstones, or kidney stones
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day
• Eat small meals instead of large ones
• Follow a balanced diet rich in fiber, fruits, and vegetables
• Exercise regularly
• Reduce intake of gas-forming foods
• Avoid carbonated drinks

Prevention Tips for Colic in Children

For children, it is advised to:

• Keep the baby upright during feeding to reduce swallowed air
• Hold the baby upright after feeding, then gently pat their back to release gas
• Avoid spices and caffeine during breastfeeding, as they may pass into breast milk
• Avoid overfeeding or feeding too quickly; bottle-feeding should take about 20 minutes