Colic is a term used to cover a broad range of undiagnosed diseases. The only symptom which they all have in common is some kind of intermittent abdominal pain. In this way, "colic" is more a term used before a full diagnosis has been made than a specific type of disorder.
The adult form of colic differs from infant colic in that no one knows the exact cause of infant colic. One of the symptoms in infant colic is excessive crying or screaming for no apparent reason. Originally, it was thought to be caused by gas or intestinal cramps. Further studies have revealed that some babies are screamers even though they are healthy.
In adult colic, actual abdominal pain is present. It is "colicky" in that the pain ebbs and flows. Colic in adults may last for only a few minutes or hours or as long as several days. The level of pain varies from stronger-than-normal muscle cramps to a debilitating pain that keeps the sufferer from performing normal functions.
Colic in adults can be caused by digestive problems. If someone has been eating mostly processed foods or taking antibiotics, their intestinal flora may become upset and cause pain. Cramping after eating can also be a result of a food allergy.
Abdominal cramps can simply be a sign of dehydration or constipation. If colic still occurs when these or other digestive problems have been ruled out, the severe cramping may be a symptom of some kind of abdominal disorder. Accompanying symptoms, such as fever or nausea, can help narrow down the treatable cause.
Common causes for colic in adults include gallstones or appendicitis. In women, otherwise unexplained abdominal pain may be a sign of an endoscopic pregnancy. This is when an egg is fertilized and begins to grow before it gets all the way down one of the fallopian tubes. If it remains untreated, it can rupture the tube and damage the reproductive organs permanently.
Colic in adults can also be a sign of lead poisoning. In the 1700 to 1800s, "Devonshire Colic" was said to be a symptom of drinking acidic apple juice and cider. In the 1800s, Doctor George Baker discovered that lead was tainting the city's cider presses and that all of those who drank the cider experienced abdominal pain. Laws have been passed in the United States to ban lead in most products, but it can still show up in some older houses where the metal has been used in the paint, or in contaminated soil.
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anon197099
Post 3 |
I went to the doctor for medcert and also to confirm if what I felt last night was a UTI, as even my husband suspected. The symptoms I have are similar to that of UTI. We are in our honeymoon period and i almost blamed my husband for giving me unbearable abdominal pain which he said might be UTI. After the urinalysis result, I was given diagnosis of abdominal coli, which she said was not UTI as there nothing was seen on my lab test. I am thankful that I was able to research UTI in advance and find out how to prevent, cure and the symptoms of it without having it. This abdominal coli being unknown as to what actually caused it made me wonder. |
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aaaCookie
Post 2 |
I thought colic was something more serious than this. Knowing it just means stomach pains, I think I have actually suffered from this several times. In me, the many forms of pain I was suffering turned out to be irritably bowel syndrome. If you do have chronic issues, you might have something else that is at least somewhat treatable. |
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cupcake15
Post 1 |
When I first heard the phrase colic pain in adults I was a little confused because I thought only a baby had colic symptoms. It does make sense that adult colic is related to abdominal pain and a possible food allergy.
I have had some cramping before and I think it was related to the greasy food I had. It may have been the type of oil that the food was cooked in but it left me cramping and miserable for a few hours later.
It felt a little like stomach ulcer symptoms, but the pain was a little sharper. I usually try to take some antacids in order to reduce the acid in my stomach and that helps a little. |
