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colic

 

Definition

Colic is persistent, unexplained crying in a healthy baby between two weeks and five months of age.

Description

Colic, which is not a disease, affects 10–20% of all infants. It is more common in boys than in girls and most common in a family's first child. Symptoms of colic usually appear when a baby is 14–21 days old, reach a crescendo at the age of three months, and disappear within the next eight weeks. Episodes occur frequently but intermittently and usually begin with prolonged periods of crying in the late afternoon or evening. They can last for just a few minutes or continue for several hours. Some babies who have colic are simply fussy. Others cry so hard that their faces turn red, then pale.

— Maureen Haggerty



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Dictionary: col·ic   (kŏl'ĭk) pronunciation
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n.
  1. Severe abdominal pain caused by spasm, obstruction, or distention of any of the hollow viscera, such as the intestines.
  2. A condition of unknown cause seen in infants less than three months old, marked by periods of inconsolable crying lasting for hours at a time for at least three weeks.
adj. (also 'lĭk)
Of, relating to, or affecting the colon.

[Middle English colik, affecting the colon, colic, from Old French colique, from Latin cōlica (passiō), (suffering) of the colon, feminine of cōlicus, from Greek kōlikos, from kolon, kōlon, colon.]

colicky col'ick·y (kŏl'ĭ-kē) adj.


Any sudden, violent pain, especially that produced by contraction of the muscular walls of a hollow organ whose opening is partly or completely blocked. In infants, intestinal colic is characterized by drawing up of the legs, restlessness, and constant crying. Colic may accompany enteritis (intestinal inflammation) or an intestinal tumour, as well as certain forms of influenza. Colic caused by spastic bowel contractions is common in lead poisoning. Treatment, aimed at symptom relief, often includes use of a muscle relaxant.

For more information on colic, visit Britannica.com.

Dental Dictionary: colic
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n

A sharp visceral pain resulting from torsion, obstruction, or smooth muscle spasm of a hollow or tubular organ, such as a ureter or an intestine.

Definition

Colic is persistent, unexplained crying and discomfort in an otherwise healthy baby between the ages of two weeks and about five months.

Description

Colic affects 10-20% of all infants. It is more common in boys than in girls and most common in a family's first child. Symptoms of colic usually appear when a baby is 14-21 days old, reach a peak at the age of three months, and disappear within the next eight weeks.

Causes & Symptoms

Some babies who have colic are simply fussy. Others cry so hard that their faces turn red, then pale. Episodes may occur frequently but intermittently, usually beginning with prolonged periods of crying in the late afternoon or evening. Crying may intensify, taper off, and then get even louder. It can last for just a few minutes or continue for several hours. During a colicky episode, babies' bellies often look swollen, feel hard, and make a rumbling sound. Many babies grow rigid, clench their fists, curl their toes, and draw their legs toward their body. A burp or a bowel movement can end an attack. Most babies who have colic do not seem to be in pain between attacks.

One cause of colic may be the swallowing of large amounts of air, especially during feeding time. Air may then become trapped in the digestive tract and cause discomfort. Other possible causes include:

  • immaturity of the digestive system
  • food intolerances
  • too little or too much food
  • lack of sleep
  • loneliness
  • overheated formula
  • overstimulation resulting from too much noise, light, or activity
  • stress and tension on the part of the mother and other caregivers
  • foods the mother eats, if breast-feeding, which are allergens or irritants for the baby

Diagnosis

Colic is suspected in an infant who:

  • has cried loudly for at least three hours a day at least three times a week for three weeks or longer
  • is not hungry but cries for several hours between dinnertime and midnight
  • demonstrates the clenched fists, rigidity, and other physical traits associated with colic

The baby's medical history and a parent's description of eating, sleeping, and crying patterns are used to confirm the diagnosis of colic. Physical examination and laboratory tests are used to rule out infection, intestinal blockage, and other conditions that can cause abdominal pain and other colic symptoms.

Treatment

Parents should consult their healthcare practitioner before giving any herbal or allopathic medications to very young children. Teas made with chamomile (Matricaria recutita), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), peppermint (Mentha piperita), catnip (Nepeta cataria), or dill (Anethum graveolens) can lessen bowel inflammation and reduce gas. Slippery elm powder (Ulmus fulva) is soothing and healing for the digestive system. Homeopathic remedies that may be effective for colic include Bryonia 30c every five minutes as needed, and Chamomilla 6c every five minutes for up to an hour. A homeopath can be further consulted for remedies to help strengthen the child's entire constitution. In addition, it is helpful to give the Bach flower essence called Rescue Remedy to the infant and to the caregivers. This will help to calm the situation.

Hands-on treatments are often helpful in treating colic. Squeezing the acupressure point at the webbing between the thumb and index finger of either hand can calm a crying child. Gently massaging the abdomen with a circular motion can also be used. Applying warm compresses over the child's abdomen can also relieve cramping.

Soothing movements may help to calm the baby. Colicky babies cry less when they are soothed by the motion of a swing, a car ride, or being carried in a parent's arms. Taking the infant for a walk may also help with soothing and encouraging sleep. Rocking the baby in a quiet, darkened room can be used to reduce over-stimulation, as well.

Giving small, frequent feedings rather than a few large feedings will be easier on digestion for a bottle-fed baby. For those who breastfeed, food allergens can be transmitted through the milk of the mother. Therefore, foods that cause problems in the infant should be removed from the mother's diet. These are most often likely to be coffee, tea, chocolate, citrus fruit, peanuts, wheat, and vegetables belonging to the cabbage family, including broccoli.

Allopathic Treatment

Medications do not cure colic. Doctors sometimes recommend simethicone (Mylicon drops) to relieve gas pain. Generally, parents are advised to take a practical approach, using home remedies. However, a doctor should be notified if a baby with colic:

  • develops a rectal fever higher than 101°F (38.3°C)
  • cries for more than four hours without relief
  • vomits
  • has diarrhea or stools that are black or bloody
  • continually loses weight
  • continually eats less than normal

Expected Results

Colic is distressing, but it is not dangerous. Symptoms almost always disappear before a child is six months old.

Prevention

To help prevent air from being swallowed during feedings, the infant's back can be gently massaged to release trapped gas bubbles. Keeping the infant in a sitting position while feeding is also helpful. Bottle-fed babies can swallow air if the nipple holes in the bottle are either too large or too small. This can be checked by filling the bottle with formula, turning it upside down, and counting the number of drops released as the bottle is being shaken or squeezed. The hole should allow the release of formula at the rate of one drop per second. In addition, sometimes a different style of nipple may improve nursing. A pharmacy should be consulted for additional guidance.

Cow's milk can often be disruptive to an infant's digestion. When cow's milk is the source of the symptoms, bottle-fed babies should be switched to a soy protein formula. (Regular soymilk should not be used, as it is not formulated for the nutritional needs of a nursing infant.) Goat's milk is easier to digest than cow's milk, and is also an acceptable substitute. Alternately, a tablespoon of acidophilus liquid or powder can be added to eight ounces of the infant's formula. A tablespoon of yogurt can also be used for this purpose. If an intolerance to cow's milk is suspected in a breastfed infant, the mother should eliminate dairy products from her diet, gradually reintroduce after seven days, and monitor the baby's symptoms. This should be done with any suspected allergen or irritating foods.

Resources

Books

Editors of Time Life Books. The Medical Advisor: The Complete Guide to Alternative & Conventional Treatments. Alexandria, VA: Time-Life Books, 1996.

Taylor, Robert, ed. Family Medicine Principles and Practice. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1994.

Weed, Susun. Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year. New York: Ash Tree Publishing, 1986.

Organizations

American Academy of Family Physicians. 880 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64114. http://www.aafp.org.

[Article by: Patience Paradox]

Definition

Colic is defined as when a baby cries for longer than three hours every day for more than three days a week. It is the extreme end of normal crying behavior. The condition is harmless, even though it is distressing for parents or caregivers.

Description

Almost all babies go through a fussy period, but when crying lasts longer than about three hours a day and is not caused by a specific medical problem, it is considered colic. Pediatricians will tell parents that babies do not exhibit colic symptoms until around three weeks of age, but there are many parents who would disagree. The physician may also tell the parents that it will be at its worst around six weeks of age and then usually stops around three or four months of age. Some parents might disagree with that, too. It can be acknowledged as a relatively short period of time in a baby's life, but it seems like an eternity to the parents. It frequently, but not always, starts at the same time of day, and for most babies that is in the evening. The inconsolable crying begins suddenly; the legs may be drawn up, and the belly distended. The hands may be clenched. It seems as if it goes on forever and winds down when the baby is exhausted or when gas or stool is passed. Some babies continue crying for longer than three hours.

Demographics

Anywhere from 20 to 25 percent of babies cry enough to meet the definition of colic. There are approximately 4 million babies born every year in the United States, so that means almost a million babies have symptoms of colic.

Causes and Symptoms

The baby with colic tends to be unusually sensitive to stimulation. Some babies experience greater discomfort from intestinal gas. Some cry from hunger. Some cry from overfeeding. Fear, frustration, or even excitement can lead to abdominal discomfort and colic. The situation may become a viscous cycle: the people caring for the baby become worried, anxious, or depressed, and the baby can sense their emotions and cries more. There are two theories regarding the cause of colic, and the first is that it is due to an immature nervous system. The majority of babies with colic can be classified with this condition to some degree. A small percentage of babies with colic may have milk allergies, reflux, and silent reflux. Formula changes or changes in diet for the breastfeeding mother can contribute to the problem. One recent study noted that the babies of mothers who smoke have a higher incidence of colic. The culprit is likely nicotine, which increases blood levels of a gut protein involved in digestion, according to Brown University epidemiologist Edmond Shenassa. This situation could result in painful cramping that makes babies cry.

When to Call the Doctor

Parents should call the pediatrician if they are concerned. A careful physical exam is prudent to insure the baby does not have a medical problem that needs attention. It is imperative not to misdiagnose a serious condition and call it colic. Should the behavior pattern of crying suddenly change and be associated with fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or other abnormal symptoms, parents should call the doctor immediately.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis occurs mostly by elimination. If the physical exam demonstrates nothing else is wrong, the pediatrician may diagnose colic by the parent's description of the crying.

Treatment

Parents should remember that colic is a benign condition, and the only treatment is through a matter of experimentation and observation. If a trigger for colic can be identified, that is a big start. Possible triggers include:

  • Foods: Avoid stimulants such as caffeine and chocolate if breastfeeding.
  • Formula: Switching formula works for some babies but is not at all helpful for others.
  • Medicine: Medication that a breastfeeding mother takes may affect the baby.
  • Feeding: If a bottle feeding takes less than 20 minutes, the hole in the nipple may be too large. Avoid overfeeding the infant or feeding too quickly.

Other strategies that can be tried include:

  • movement and vibration
  • using an infant swing
  • rocking in a rocking chair
  • going for a car ride
  • holding the baby close in an upright position
  • swaddling in a blanket

Nutritional Concerns

The primary nutritional concerns are related to the breastfeeding mother's diet by avoiding the intake of stimulants. For those who are bottle feeding, a switch in the formula may be beneficial.

Prognosis

Colic is a benign condition. The infant outgrows it. Moreover, in spite of apparent abdominal pain, colicky infants eat well and gain weight normally.

Prevention

Very little can be done to prevent colic, other than trying to discover triggers that cause the baby to cry and to not smoke.

Parental Concerns

It is natural for parents to be concerned when a baby cries, and their concern only heightens if it seems they can do nothing to stop the crying. Once a physical exam has been performed and medical causes have been ruled out, parents can accept the fact that the baby has colic and try to work with it the best way possible. They may want to take breaks from the baby by dividing childcare between them. A parent can be more loving to a baby when the parent has a chance to refresh.

See also Crying and fussing in an infant.

Resources

Books

Seidel, Henry M., et al. Primary Care of the Newborn, 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby, 2001.

Web Sites

What Is Colic? Available online at www.colichelp.com/ (accessed December 8, 2004).

"Your Colicky Baby." Kids Health for Parents. Available online at (accessed December 8, 2004).

[Article by: Linda K. Bennington, MSN, CNS]



 
colic, intense pain caused by spasmodic contractions of one of the hollow organs, e.g., the stomach, intestine, gall bladder, ureter, or oviduct. The cause of colic is irritation and/or obstruction, and the irritant and/or obstruction may be a stone (as in the gall bladder or ureter), an irritant food or gas (in the stomach and intestines), appendicitis, or implantation of an embryo in an oviduct. Intestinal colic in infancy is sometimes attributed to gas formed by excessive swallowing of air or inadequate digestion of milk. Treatment of colic is relative to the cause.


Pertaining to or affected by colic.

Wikipedia: Colic
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Colic
Classification and external resources
ICD-10 R10.4
ICD-9 789.0
MeSH D003085

Colic is a form of pain in the abdomen which starts and stops abruptly.[1]

Types

Types include:

  • Baby colic, a condition, usually in infants, characterized by incessant crying
  • Renal colic, a pain in the flank, characteristic of kidney stones
  • Biliary colic, blockage by a gallstone of the common bile duct or the duct leading into it from the gallbladder
  • Horse colic, a potentially fatal condition experienced by horses, caused by intestinal displacement or blockage
  • Devon colic, an affliction caused by lead poisoning
  • Painter's colic or lead poisoning

References


Translations: Colic
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Dansk (Danish)
n. - kolik
adj. - kolik-

Nederlands (Dutch)
koliek

Français (French)
n. - (Méd, Vét) coliques
adj. - colique

Deutsch (German)
n. - (Med.) Kolik
adj. - Kolik..., kolikartig

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - (παθολ.) κολικός

Italiano (Italian)
colica

Português (Portuguese)
n. - cólica (f)

Русский (Russian)
колик(-и)

Español (Spanish)
n. - cólico
adj. - relativo o perteneciente a un cólico

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - kolik

中文(简体)(Chinese (Simplified))
绞痛, 疝气, 疝痛, 结肠的

中文(繁體)(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 絞痛, 疝氣, 疝痛
adj. - 結腸的

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 복통
adj. - 산통의

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 疝痛

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) قولنج, مغص‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮כאב עוויתי, כאב-בטן, קדדת‬
adj. - ‮של המעיים‬


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