Have you ever experienced a very severe stomach pain and twisting suddenly? If so, you may have abdominal colic. This condition cannot be ignored, because you can signifysomething necessary serious illness quick inhandI by the doctor.
Abdominal colic is severe pain in the abdomen that is intermittent. The underlying cause of abdominal colic is muscle contraction, blockage, or inflammation of the organs in the abdominal cavity, such as the intestines, rectum, gallbladder, kidneys, or urinary tract.
Colic is quite common in babies. But not only colic in infants, complaints of severe abdominal pain can also occur in adults. Whatever the cause, complaints of abdominal colic is a condition that needs to be checked by a doctor.
Characteristic-CEnvy and Causes of Abdominal Colic
In adults, these complaints can appear suddenly and occur only once or repeatedly over a period of days, months, or even years.
Abdominal colic is characterized by severe pain, then subsides, and then pain returns. In adults, abdominal colic can be caused by several diseases, namely:
1. Intestinal colic
Intestinal colic is pain that originates in the small or large intestine. This condition is caused by various disorders of the large intestine, such as inflammation, infection, to a blockage in the intestine that prevents food and fluids from passing through the intestine (obstructive ileus).
Disturbances in the intestine can be caused by several things, namely:
- Inflammation of the intestines, eg appendicitis and Crohn's disease.
- Typhoid fever.
- hernia.
- Blockage of blood vessels (ischemia) in the intestine.
- The formation of scar tissue due to abdominal or pelvic surgery.
- Diverticulitis or inflammation of the cavities in the wall of the large intestine.
- Colon cancer.
Symptoms of intestinal colic include abdominal pain, difficulty defecating, difficulty in farting, vomiting, and decreased appetite.
2. Peritonitis
The abdominal cavity is lined by a protective layer called the peritoneum. When this lining becomes inflamed due to a bacterial infection, a condition called peritonitis can occur.
People who experience peritonitis will show symptoms of fever, weakness, very severe abdominal pain (abdominal colic) accompanied by a hardened stomach and more pain when pressed.
Peritonitis can be caused by various things, such as a ruptured appendix, a hole in the stomach, intestines, and bile, pancreatitis, to pelvic inflammatory disease.
3. Biliary colic
Biliary colic is abdominal pain that occurs due to blockage in the bile ducts by gallstones. When the bile ducts become blocked, the muscles around the ducts contract vigorously to move the gallstones away, causing biliary colic.
This complaint is characterized by severe and constant pain that appears suddenly on the right side of the upper abdomen. Pain may radiate to the right shoulder blade and is sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
The pain may increase over time, but not for more than a few hours. This pain usually occurs after a person eats fatty foods or when breaking the fast with large meals.
4. Renal colic
Renal colic is pain that arises due to blockage in the urinary tract by kidney stones, blood clots, to infection. This complaint is characterized by severe pain in the lower back or side, either on the left, right, or both sides. Sometimes the pain is also felt to the stomach and groin.
Renal colic pain generally appears suddenly, comes and goes, and gets worse over time. Other symptoms that appear include pain when urinating, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
Apart from the above diseases, abdominal colic can also be caused by other diseases, such as gastric ulcers, pregnancy outside the womb (ectopic pregnancy), hepatitis, endometriosis, to disorders of the ovaries or ovaries, such as ruptured ovarian cysts.
Distinguishing Abdominal Colic and Common Abdominal Pain
Sometimes abdominal colic can be felt like regular abdominal pain or cramping. If it is caused by regular abdominal pain, it will generally subside on its own in some time or with the use of pain relievers.
Whereas in most cases, abdominal colic may not improve after the use of pain relievers. Because it can be caused by many things and the pain is very severe, abdominal colic needs to be checked by a doctor
In determining the diagnosis and finding the cause of the patient's abdominal colic, the doctor will perform a physical examination and a series of supporting examinations, such as blood and urine tests, radiological examinations, such as X-rays, ultrasound, and CT scans of the abdominal cavity.
How to Overcome Abdominal Colic
Once the cause is known, the management of abdominal colic will be adjusted according to the cause.
Abdominal colic caused by kidney stones or gallstones can be treated with a number of methods, including medications, shock wave therapy to break up and remove stones, and surgical procedures. The method used depends on how big the stone is, its location, and its severity.
As for abdominal colic caused by peritonitis or ruptured appendix, surgery will be required to treat the patient's condition.
To prevent abdominal colic, there are several ways you can do, including:
- Increase the consumption of water at least 8 glasses per day.
- Eat food in small portions, but often.
- Eat vegetables and fruit regularly.
- Limit gassy foods and avoid oily or high-fat foods.
- Avoid caffeinated and fizzy drinks.
- Do exercise regularly.
You are advised to consult a doctor if the abdominal colic pain does not improve or gets worse within 2-4 days. Especially if the complaint is accompanied by fever, diarrhea that does not improve, nausea and vomiting, vomiting blood, and weight loss for no apparent reason.