Abdominal cramps
Colic is defined as a sudden feeling of acute abdominal pain that begins to gradually increase and then disappear. This is usually caused by the contraction of smooth muscles close to places where abdominal blockages, whether partially or completely, occur as a result of renal stones Stone, gallstones, bowel obstruction, or other causes. Locating the colic helps identify the cause.
Abdominal cramps in infants
It is common for infants to have abdominal cramps. Babies are known to have stomach cramps when they are in a state of agitation and crying despite being fed and healthy. They continue to cry for about three hours a day, for more than three days a week for more than three weeks, The cause of the colic is usually accidental and does not require treatment, but sometimes it is necessary to check with the doctor to make sure there is no health reason that requires medical intervention.
Causes of abdominal colic
Causes of abdominal colic in infants
Although the causes of colic in infants are not known clearly, specialists suggest a link between the child’s exposure to colic and the following:
- Indigestion.
- Allergy to milk, whether from breast milk, or allergies of artificial milk.
- Lactose intolerance (Lactose intolerance).
- Smoking the mother during pregnancy, as smoking increases the chance of a baby suffering from colic.
Causes of abdominal cramps in adults
Causes of abdominal colic in adults include:
- Cholecystitis It is known as bile duct infection due to obstruction of the gallbladder. The symptoms of gallbladder inflammation begin with a general colic in the abdomen. The colic is then located in the upper right part of the abdomen. Pain often lasts for more than five or six hours. The colic may be accompanied by fever and chills.
- Biliary colic: Which occurs as a result of the blockage of the pebble in the neck of the gall bladder, and usually get sick colic after 30 to 60 minutes of eating, and the colic in the upper right part of the abdomen or in the upper part of the abdomen, and may extend pain to the back of the top of the shoulder.
- Appendicitis: The pain is in the right part of the lower abdominal area, and may be accompanied by loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
- Intestinal obstruction: An obstruction in the intestine causes the passage of food and drink in the small and large intestine. The obstruction can occur for several reasons, such as tissue adhesions that occur after abdominal surgery, intestinal inflammation, colon cancer, etc.
- Incarcerated Hernia: A narrowed hernia is an urgent and common surgical condition. It occurs as a result of the emergence of an abdominal organ or tissue, which distinguishes this hernia that can not be returned to its place by pushing it through the weak wall of the organ.
- Renal colic (Renal Colic): Which occurs as a result of kidney stones (Nephrolithiasis).
Diagnosis of abdominal colic
It is necessary to know where the abdominal pain, its nature, and if it moves to another place, and the symptoms associated with it, in addition to the need to know the history of the patient, and then the patient is examined clinically, and usually require some tests as a blood test (English: Blood test) And others depending on the location of the pain. For example, if the patient is suffering from pain in the upper right region of the abdomen, this requires the examination of the enzyme amylase and lipase in order to exclude the patient’s pancreatitis, : Urinalysis) If the patient suffers from heartburn in the urine, The presence of blood in the urine, or pain in the area of the breast, but if the location of pain in the upper right region of the abdomen requires a request to check liver enzymes (in English: Liver Function Enzymes), and may be required to examine the pregnancy if the patient in the reproductive age, The images that may be requested are also determined by the location of the pain, often including ultrasound, a radiography, and a computed tomography. Also for computed tomography with Contrast M edia).
Treatment of abdominal colic
Treatment of abdominal cramps in infants
It is often not recommended for specialists to give medicines to infants when suffering from colic. The cause of colic is often not serious, and can be followed these tips to calm the baby colic:
- Wrap the baby with a blanket or cover.
- Carry the child and educate him.
- Feeding the child in a sitting position to reduce the possibility of swallowing air.
- Increase the number of lactation times while minimizing the time of each feeding.
- Place the baby in its cradle in a quiet place with dim lighting after feeding it, making sure it is clean, and wearing appropriate clothing for the weather.
- Massage the baby gently and warm with warm water.
- Check with your doctor in cases where the baby colic is not safe despite the recommended advice or in cases where the mother can not handle the baby colic well. The doctor may prescribe medications such as drops of Simethicone, which helps to get rid of Of liquefied gases in the baby’s stomach, or drops of Lactase drops, which helps to analyze milk sugar. Also, a doctor may recommend breastfeeding a baby that does not cause allergies. The colic can be caused by the child’s feeling of cow’s milk protein.
Treatment of abdominal cramps in adults
The abdominal pain is treated in adults depending on the cause, but the patient can take some pain medication, which can be purchased from the over-the-counter drug Acetaminophen (Acetaminophen), but it should not be mentioned in the case of liver disease, Aspirin and ibuprofen can also be used for over-the-counter pain, as can hot water compresses or hot water on the abdomen, which can relieve abdominal pain.