Intestinal colic in children is a common disorder of the digestive tract. Both adults and children suffer from this disease. Any parent has encountered the complaint that a child has a pain in the abdomen, and the pain is sharp, strong, and there is a feeling of fullness.
A baby's life consists of two activities: sleeping and eating. And the first month passes calmly. But after this time, the newborn’s tummy begins to ache, and the first colic appears. The baby is restless and constantly cries, which drives adults into despair.
As a rule, intestinal colic in infants is not a sign of serious disorders in the gastrointestinal tract, but the phenomenon becomes a serious cause of mental impairment, and not only of the baby.
Colic is an attack of acute pain that occurs in the peritoneum, then localized in the intestines. Occurs in newborns, children of primary and school age, and adolescents.
When doctors talk about colic in children, they do not mean a specific disease. More often the phenomenon refers to physical disorders in the gastrointestinal tract. They rarely talk about the pathology of internal organs.
Symptoms in newborns
Periodic acute pain, manifested by attacks during intestinal colic, bothers newborns until they are 4 months old. During seizures, the baby screams loudly. Calmness occurs when stool or gases are released.
Prolonged and often repeated manifestations of intestinal colic can lead to complications in the form of an imbalance of microflora in the digestive tract. Sometimes the intestines become inflamed.
Doctors have noted the main sign of colic in children under 1 year of age:
- In infants, attacks of acute pain begin from 4 weeks to 4 months.
- The main time when symptoms are most disturbing is from 6 to 8 pm.
- The child's anxiety grows, the crying does not stop. As a result, a large amount of gas accumulates in the womb and bloating occurs. When touched, the stomach is taut like a drum. The baby tries to press his legs and bends them. When the baby farts, the pain subsides and the colic disappears.
- The baby has no appetite disturbances and feels well. Weight is gaining. The consistency of stool does not change.
- In the first days, the attacks last half an hour. Episodicity: 2 times every 14 days. Subsequently, the intensity of colic increases, attacks are repeated more often (daily), lasting 5–6 hours.
If the disruption of the digestive tract is severe, the attack can last up to 8 hours. Doctors note that longer and more intense bursts of pain lead to disruption of stool, it becomes liquid. The baby often regurgitates food, refuses to eat, or eats little. Because of this, he does not gain weight.
Symptoms in children over 1 year of age
Signs of colic in children aged 1 to 9 years appear a little differently. The pain occurs unpredictably, burning and stabbing inside the abdomen. At the same time, the child shows aggression, constantly cries and screams. The abdomen is hard because the muscles in the abdominal cavity are tense. Seizures can begin at any moment, no matter whether the child has eaten or not. The main place of pain is in the lower abdomen, but can be felt throughout the entire area.
The disappearance of symptoms occurs unexpectedly. As a rule, the duration of pain does not exceed 2-3 minutes.
If the cause of unpleasant sensations is a disease of the internal organs responsible for digesting food, accompanying symptoms will appear:
- Nausea and vomiting will appear. This signals the occurrence of spasms in the intestines, provoked by infection.
- The stomach is inflated, the food bolus stops moving. The process of stopping food in the intestines contributes to even greater gas production. The body tries to increase the passage of stool.
- Body temperature may rise.
- The process of defecation will be disrupted. Periods of constipation are followed by periods of diarrhea.
- The child is weak and constantly capricious.
- The baby begins to have a headache.
Parents should monitor the child's condition. If the symptoms do not go away and the pain does not subside for more than 6 hours, you should seek medical help.
Questions and answers on the topic “Intestinal spasms”
Question:
Hello!
A week ago I started having diarrhea. I immediately thought about poisoning after drinking watermelon. For two days there was just loose stool and nausea. Then in the morning there were terrible pains and cramps in the intestines. The spasms last for only half an hour. I felt relief only after going to the toilet. And so on all day. And in the evening the temperature was also 38.5. The next day there were also pains and the urge to go to the toilet. There was no more temperature. There are no severe colics or spasms like on the first day either. Also during this, my periods began, which did not proceed as usual, that is, not abundantly. There are practically none. During this week, the pain and urge to go to the toilet are still present. There is no more strength. There were problems with the intestines. The right side often hurts. I went to the doctor, all that was prescribed was bifidumbacterin and Hilak Forte. There are no changes. Answer:
There can be many reasons, for example, an attack of acute cholecystitis. It is recommended to consult with a gastroenterologist for a personal examination and examination: biochemical blood test, ultrasound of internal organs, FGDS.
Question:
Hello!
The child has had intestinal cramps and diarrhea for 2 weeks now. We take tablets Multifort, Kudesan, Magnerot. Prescribed by a doctor. We also drink Creon. Answer:
Additionally: diet excluding dairy products, fatty spicy foods + stool analysis.
Question:
Good afternoon, please tell me, I had this problem about 2 months ago, before that I didn’t have any special problems with stool.
Before going to the toilet, my intestines begin to ache wildly, then it turns into terrible cramps, my stomach is very twisted, when I go to the toilet it immediately becomes easier, the pain subsides, then I lie down and catch “otkhodniki” for about 20 minutes, so to speak, no hemorrhoids or cracks , blood too, feces of medium consistency (no diarrhea, no constipation). Even after giving birth, there were no problems with stool, I gave birth 1.5 years ago, everything was fine until the last 2 months, I didn’t change my diet or climate. Please tell me, maybe I should drink something or some kind of candles? How to get rid of these terrible spasms, the pain is wild. Answer:
Before talking about treatment, it is necessary to identify the exact cause. And to do this, you need to start by visiting a gastroenterologist for an examination and basic examinations. In terms of examination, ultrasound of the abdominal organs, FCS and coprogram are required. Irrigoscopy may be required.
Question:
Hello!
This morning there were sharp cramps in the lower abdomen in the intestines and rectum, accompanied by severe flatulence. Even straightening up was painful. After using the toilet (painful due to cramps, but the stool is absolutely normal), 2 tablets of espumisan and 1 no-shpa, I lay down, the cramps went away, the abdominal muscles more or less relaxed. Is it normal for cramps to leave painful discomfort for several days? Answer:
Hello. The picture you described may correspond to irritable bowel syndrome, but to exclude acute pathology, I recommend consulting a doctor.
Causes
Various factors provoke the occurrence of intestinal colic in children. Each age has different causes. This means that appropriate treatment and assistance may be needed.
Colic in babies
The most important cause of anxiety in newborns is a violation of the motor activity of the digestive tract. As a result, the amount of gases in the intestines increases, which provokes spasmodic phenomena in some parts of the organ and stretching of the walls in other parts. This causes acute pain, seizures and anxiety in the baby.
The disorder occurs either due to the child’s fault or is present in the mother’s diet.
Colic appears due to an incompletely developed digestive system. There is a decrease in the production of necessary enzymes, and there is not enough hydrochloric acid in the stomach to digest incoming milk. Lactose aversion may occur, and an imbalance between beneficial and harmful bacteria inhabiting the local microflora may occur.
The structure of the intestine, the immaturity of the central nervous system - leads to the occurrence of psychosomatic pain. The baby often sucks on a pacifier or there is not enough milk in the breast, and air is swallowed. It does not exit through the esophagus and oral cavity, but continues to travel and, entering the colon, contributes to bloating and pain.
Diseases that cause colic
Not only a physiological disorder of the digestive system causes an unpleasant condition. Diseases or dysfunction of internal organs often cause pain:
- A formula-fed baby may experience an allergic reaction. Cow's milk contains lactose, which is not absorbed by the child's body.
- The absence or deficiency of a special enzyme responsible for the decomposition of milk sugar into digestible elements.
- The occurrence of dysbacteriosis. When the microflora in the intestines is disrupted and pathogenic bacteria multiply, a disruption in the functioning of the organ occurs. Food moves more slowly through the channel, excess gases are formed, the stomach becomes bloated and hurts.
- The human nervous system controls the functioning of internal organs. In infants, the system is not fully formed, which means that incorrect signals are sent to the digestive tract.
- An infectious disease can worsen the functioning of internal systems and the child’s well-being.
Colic in older children
At an older age, the onset of malaise occurs for slightly different reasons:
- Dysfunction of the colon as a result of food stagnation. The occurrence of spasmodic phenomena in the intestine provokes obstruction of the organ.
- Worms are a common cause of acute abdominal pain. As a result of their vital activity, parasites release toxins that poison the body.
- Impaired functioning of the upper organs of the digestive system.
- Stomach diseases: gastritis, ulcers, pancreatitis.
- Stress is the main factor in the occurrence of illnesses in schoolchildren.
Intestinal colic in an infant: causes, symptoms, what parents should do
Intestinal colic is the most common cause of discomfort and anxiety in babies.
They do not appear immediately, but 2–3 weeks after birth. The main reason for their occurrence is considered to be, on the one hand, the immaturity of the gastrointestinal tract, and on the other, the beginning of the active functioning of all organs of the digestive tract. But there may be other reasons for their appearance.
Intestinal colic most often occurs due to the accumulation of gases in various parts of the intestines, which provokes disturbances in the baby’s well-being - from slight discomfort and anxiety to a high-pitched cry.
How to reduce the manifestation of colic, where to start treating the baby - with the use of non-drug methods or resort to medications.
We will try to understand all these questions in this article.
What is intestinal colic
Abdominal colic in a baby is the first real test in a new life for the baby and his parents.
Often mothers and fathers lose calm and even common sense when the first or repeated acute attacks occur with a piercing child's cry, especially in the evening.
There are situations when, even after using all imaginable and unimaginable means, the baby’s pain goes away only after a certain period of time, and sometimes on its own.
In most cases, the features of the occurrence and symptoms of this unpleasant phenomenon depend on the degree of maturity of the digestive tract of the newborn child, the threshold of its pain sensitivity and the combination of predisposing and provoking factors.
Colic is an acute paroxysmal pain that occurs suddenly and can be repeated frequently. Intestinal colic in infants is called functional or infantile - it goes away with age.
They occur to one degree or another in 70% of newborns and are currently considered a clinical phenomenon - the symptoms of colic in infants are described in detail, but the causes are little studied.
Therefore, therapy for intestinal colic in infants is aimed at alleviating the child’s condition, since it is impossible to “cure” it - they begin suddenly (at different periods) and stop on their own in healthy babies.
With pathology of the digestive system or combined disorders, colic becomes persistent with the addition of other symptoms:
- spitting up or vomiting;
- stool retention;
- diarrhea with a change in the nature of the stool (the appearance of mucus, green, blood, change in smell);
- weakness, lethargy, refusal to eat;
- constant rumbling and transfusion in the intestines;
- sleep disorders.
Causes of intestinal colic in infants
One of the features of infant colic is the time of its appearance - it varies from 2-3 weeks of life to 2-3 months of age, as well as the duration of its occurrence in the baby.
Their appearance is associated with the accumulation of gases in the intestines and/or the occurrence of individual peristaltic waves (intestinal contractions) in different areas.
Parents should know that these signs are individual for each baby.
The time of occurrence of this unpleasant phenomenon depends on several factors, which are considered to be the causes of intestinal colic in infants.
These include:
- air getting into the stomach during feeding - this may be due to incorrect latching technique during breastfeeding or improper latching of the nipple (large hole);
- violations in the diet of a nursing mother - consumption of foods that lead to increased gas formation (white cabbage, legumes, baked goods, sweets, whole milk, with high fat content, mushrooms, watermelons and melons, grapes, apples, sometimes bananas); errors during breastfeeding - the development of “due” lactase deficiency with excessive feeding with “foremilk”, which is rich in lactose;
- early and incorrect transfer to artificial feeding;
- incorrect choice of milk formula or its preparation - if the concentration of nutrients is violated (excess or deficiency);
- fast or very slow flow of milk into the baby’s stomach;
- increased excitability of the child with perinatal pathology of the central nervous system due to increased innervation of the intestine, affecting its peristalsis (contraction);
- gastrointestinal pathologies (dysbacteriosis, enterocolitis, enzymatic disorders, lactase deficiency, staphylococcus in the intestines);
- smoking by a nursing mother, taking various medications.
A particular child may have individual causes of colic, and a combination of several negative factors leads to intensification and prolongation of attacks of intestinal colic.
In addition, many experts do not rule out that colic can occur under the influence of psychological factors - most often the baby reacts in this way to the emotional situation in the family or the condition of the mother. Excessive worries and stress of the mother provoke colic in the baby.
Symptoms and features of infant colic
How else can you recognize intestinal colic?
The baby, in general, feels good:
- he does not have a fever;
- no allergic or other rashes;
- regular bowel movements are noted, with slight changes (without constipation or diarrhea).
The baby eats with appetite, gains weight and lies on his tummy with pleasure. But this condition is overshadowed by periodic sudden attacks of anxiety and crying, often in the evening, after feeding.
First, the baby begins to toss and turn, groan and arch (these are harbingers of colic). Then the child begins to cry and tuck his legs. In pediatrics, there is the concept of “colic crying” - it is sharp with phases of intensification and subsidence.
Many experts are inclined to believe that it is precisely this kind of cry that has the most powerful effect on the mother’s psyche and causes her to feel anxiety and fear for the baby. While crying, you may notice visible bloating of the baby's tummy and the release of gas.
When the baby experiences this pronounced discomfort - he does not want to take the breast or refuses the bottle, he may begin to suck greedily, but then he gives up and screams.
When does intestinal colic occur and how long does it last?
Colic in newborns begins on average in the second or third week of life.
Many mothers are interested in why intestinal colic occurs mainly during this period, and not immediately after birth:
- mother’s hormones, which come with milk, maintain balance in the baby’s body;
- the load on the digestive tract in the first weeks of life is minimal, and colostrum and transitional milk are more nutritious and are better absorbed;
- from 2-3 weeks, many mothers begin to gradually expand their diet, and the baby’s stomach and intestines often cannot cope with this load;
- gases accumulate gradually, and it is this period that is considered “peak” in this situation;
- All organs of the body begin to actively mature and interact, therefore the risk of functional failures and dysfunctions increases.
A characteristic symptom of intestinal colic in most healthy babies is the “rule of three,” which is as follows:
- the baby cries for about 3 hours during the day;
- on average 3 times a week;
- for 3 weeks in a row.
Gradually, the baby’s digestive system adapts to the new type of nutrition. Most often, this period lasts an average of 3–4 months. But it happens that a baby’s colic goes away within a month, and some babies never experience intestinal discomfort in their lives, and their happy parents know about the “insidiousness” of infant colic only by hearsay.
There may be cases when colic bothers the baby for up to 6 months or more. Their duration depends on the individual developmental characteristics of the child, as well as on concomitant deviations in his health (background pathologies).
How to help a baby with intestinal colic
Colic therapy is carried out at home, using a different range of non-drug methods and special medications that are used for a long time and reduce the amount of gas in the intestines.
It is important to remember that colic often occurs due to overfeeding, overheating, incorrect feeding technique and regimen, lack of sufficient physical activity (tight swaddling), and incorrectly chosen formula.
To reduce the symptoms of colic in a newborn, the following is used:
- dry heat on the tummy area - you need to iron the diaper, cool it a little and apply it to the stomach until it cools completely;
- water or salt heating pad on the stomach; bathing the baby in warm water every day in the evening before bedtime with the addition of decoctions of medicinal herbs: chamomile, valerian, birch leaves and add a few drops of valerian tincture to the bath (1-3);
- abdominal massage and exercises on a fitball - they promote better removal of gases from the intestines and improve intestinal peristalsis;
- anti-colic bottle for artificial feeding;
- dill water and special medications (Espumizan, Bobotik, Plantex).
Parents should remember that whatever the cause of colic in an infant, their symptoms are approximately the same.
But it is important to understand that in most cases this is a physiological process and, over time, all these unpleasant manifestations will go away on their own.
To relieve attacks, you need to use various methods, but be sure to consult with your pediatrician so as not to miss serious abnormalities and choose the most effective treatment.
doctor – pediatrician Sazonova Olga Ivanovna
Source: //zen.yandex.ru/media/id/5d3aa980b96cfd00adb0bf09/5da24f84027a156bb686df96
Help at home
Before starting self-treatment for colic attacks in a child, consult a pediatrician. The specialist will prescribe examinations, tests and make a diagnosis. He will be able to tell you what to do, what to take, and prescribe therapy. The main concern of parents and doctors is taking care of the baby’s health.
In some cases, it is possible to help the child cope with pain. Treatment should be approached carefully.
Helping a baby
The occurrence of colic in newborns does not require the use of medication. Everything can be eliminated within the confines of the house.
First, they get rid of the moment of swallowing a large amount of air. Prevention:
- After feeding, keep the baby in an upright position for several minutes. Feeding takes place in a reclining position.
- The mother is supposed to make sure that the newborn latches onto the nipple correctly. If artificial feeding, be sure to take the pacifier correctly.
- Before feeding, place the baby on his stomach 20-30 minutes before feeding. This helps the already accumulated gases to escape.
- Try to offer your baby breast milk for a long time.
During lactation, mothers are advised to avoid foods that cause excessive gas formation and to adhere to a diet. When artificial feeding, choose the appropriate mixture and prepare the porridge correctly.
Helping an older child
In the case of an older baby, help depends on the source that triggered the onset of colic. A gastroenterologist or pediatrician will help make the correct diagnosis.
What a mother can do at home before seeing a doctor:
- Apply dry heat to the stomach. This will warm the intestines and ease the cramps a little, allowing for easy release of gases.
- Give the child No-shpa or another antispasmodic drug. Please read the instructions first.
- The baby should lie still. Try not to eat. It is acceptable to give a little tea, not strong.
Drug treatment
If colic is caused by the presence of an infection or other pathology of the internal organs, the help of medications will be needed. For babies, dill water is given for gas relief. It is allowed to use Espumisan or Disflatil.
For children of preschool and school age, treatment is prescribed by a doctor in accordance with the diagnosis. A diet is prescribed that must be followed until symptoms cease to appear.
Intestinal colic is paroxysmal pain that occurs in the abdomen along the location of the intestines. Their appearance is associated with overeating or poor diet of the child, the inflammatory process in the tract and the influence of other factors. The term "intestinal colic" is not associated with a specific disease. Gastroenterologists classify it as a special type of sensation that occurs in various pathologies.
What causes colic?
Intestinal colic is provoked by spastic contractions of the small or large intestine, which originate from the small part and spread throughout the entire tract. Usually a spasm occurs due to irritation, which has many causes:
- binge eating;
- helminthic infestations;
- intestinal obstruction;
- poisoning by mushrooms or toxins;
- bacterial damage to the intestines;
- diseases of the oral cavity, stomach, pancreas;
- consumption of stale, low-quality or exotic food;
- stressful situations and nervous overstrain in school-age children adapting to a new way of life.
Symptoms of intestinal spasms
Clinical symptoms of colic in children appear suddenly with acute sharp pain in the abdomen. Attacks occur after running fast, lifting heavy weights, or eating a heavy meal. Abdominal pain seems cutting to the child. In attempts to get rid of them, the baby changes his body position, becomes capricious, screams, and experiences nervous excitement.
Irritation of the nerve endings of the peritoneum causes symptoms in the child such as flatulence, nausea, problems with bowel movements, and headache. Possible increase in blood pressure. If intestinal colic has had a significant duration, the baby will look tired and indifferent. The diarrhea that appears after the spasm gives sharp relief, but the nagging pain in the abdomen persists.
Dr. Komarovsky draws the attention of parents to the child’s bowel movements. If fatty or mucous inclusions are visible in the feces, this indicates improper digestion of food. The process causes general discomfort, loss of appetite and motor activity.
Signs of acute intestinal colic
Spastic sensations are always acute and are manifested by a burning sensation in the intestinal area and cramping pain. As soon as the child feels better, he should undergo an examination to clarify the diagnosis that provoked the adverse changes.
The following symptoms will help parents make sure that the spasm is truly acute:
- pain occurs suddenly;
- during cramps, the abdominal muscles tense;
- loose, heterogeneous stool with mucus and a foul odor is released;
- Intestinal spasms in children appear periodically and for a short time.
When intestinal colic occurs, the baby's body temperature may remain normal if the discomfort is not associated with an intestinal infection. When the tract becomes infected, the thermometer reaches high levels, and the symptoms of colic resemble a cold in combination with an intestinal disorder.
What is intestinal spasm
It can occur as a result of colitis, enterocolitis, irritable bowel syndrome, neurosis, overeating, poisoning, dysentery, rotavirus infection, intestinal obstruction, etc.
Intestinal spasm is accompanied by unstable stools, when, after diarrhea, difficulties suddenly begin with bowel movements, pain in the abdomen, often in the lower part, flatulence, etc.
Intestinal colic as a sign of disease
Intestinal spasms in children occur more often or less frequently if they suffer from certain diseases or the body is in a pathological condition.
- Digestive disorders - stomach ulcers, gastritis, liver and pancreas diseases do not allow the tract to fully absorb food. Unprocessed residues enter the intestines and cause spasms.
- Intestinal infections are typical for children under 5–6 years of age. Typhoid fever, salmonellosis, dysentery, cholera and other pathologies affect intestinal motility.
- Helminthiases. Intestinal parasites irritate the nerve endings of the tract and cause intestinal colic. Roundworms twisted into balls clog the gap between the organ sections and cause obstruction.
- Vulnerability of the nervous system. In thin children - suspicious and impressionable, intestinal colic can occur before a public speech, exam or in class if the subject is not fully studied. The condition is familiar to children 7–8 years old and older ones who are prone to anxiety.
Intestinal colic in children: causes, symptoms and treatment – Gastro Portal
Intestinal colic refers to attacks of pain in the area of the intestines that end with a sharp urge to defecate. Often the pain resembles muscle cramps when the intestines work intensely and strongly . Such pain can occur due to an inflammatory reaction in the intestines, poor nutrition, overeating and for various similar reasons.
In the intestines, colic is caused by spastic contractions of the thin or thick part. Most often, spasms begin from the small intestine and gradually affect the entire intestine . Intestinal spasm is mainly a consequence of irritation. There are many reasons for this irritation.
Here is a list of the most common:
- Intestinal obstruction.
- Helminthic infestations.
- Excessive nervous tension and stressful situations.
- Poisoning with heavy metal salts.
- Poisoning with poisons, mushrooms and other toxic substances.
- Bacterial lesions of the intestines (dysentery, salmonellosis and others).
- Eating exotic foods that are unusual for the stomach.
- Eating stale or poor quality food.
- Overeating, eating a large amount of food at one time.
- Stomach diseases, diseases of the pancreas, diseases of the oral cavity do not allow food to be fully processed. Because of this, it enters the intestines insufficiently digested.
Symptoms of intestinal colic
Symptoms of intestinal colic in children appear suddenly with sharp acute pain in the abdominal area. occur after a heavy lunch , lifting an excessive load or fast running. For a child, abdominal pain seems to be cutting.
When a child tries to get rid of them on his own, he experiences nervous excitement, screams, becomes capricious and changes the position of his body.
Irritation of the nerve endings of the peritoneum in a child causes symptoms such as:
- Headache.
- Problems with defecation.
- Nausea.
- Flatulence.
In some cases, blood pressure may increase. If a child has intestinal colic for a very long time, he will look indifferent and tired . When diarrhea begins after a spasm, the baby experiences sharp relief, but the nagging pain in the abdomen persists.
Spastic sensations are acute in nature and are accompanied by cramping pain and burning in the intestinal area.
In order for parents to understand that the child really has an acute spasm , the following symptoms are identified:
- In children, intestinal spasms occur for a short time and periodically.
- Inhomogeneous liquid stools with a foul odor and mucus are released.
- The abdominal muscles tense during spasms.
- Pain occurs suddenly.
The child's body temperature may remain normal if pain occurs . But only if the discomfort is not associated with an intestinal infection. If the gastrointestinal tract is infected, the child’s body temperature rises greatly, and the symptoms of colic resemble a combination of a cold and intestinal disorder.
Intestinal spasms in children occur less frequently or more often if the body is in a pathological condition or they suffer from certain diseases:
- Vulnerability of the nervous system. In thin children who are impressionable and suspicious, colic may appear in class (if the material has not been fully learned), before an exam or public speaking. This condition is very familiar to a child over 7 years old who is prone to anxiety.
- Helminthiases. The nerve endings of the tract are irritated by intestinal parasites and provoke intestinal colic. Roundworms, twisted into balls, clog the lumen between the intestinal sections, thereby causing obstruction.
- Intestinal infections. They are typical for a child aged 5–6 years. Cholera, dysentery, salmonellosis, typhoid fever and other pathologies affect intestinal motility.
- Indigestion. Diseases of the pancreas and liver, gastritis, and stomach ulcers do not allow the gastrointestinal tract to fully absorb food. Residues that are not processed enter the intestines and provoke spasms.
Survey
Diagnosis of the baby’s condition when intestinal spasm occurs is carried out taking into account the specialist’s suspicion of a specific disease. After the specialist has collected an anamnesis , the child is sent for various studies.
Using a general blood test, inflammatory changes and anemia are detected. Biochemical examination shows dysfunction of the liver, pancreas and kidneys, as well as the ratio of electrolytes.
- The coprogram allows you to determine the presence of pathological changes that affected the liver, pancreas and intestines, as well as the composition of the baby’s stool.
- Using a urine test, disorders of important digestive organs are determined.
- For a more accurate diagnosis, children with intestinal colic are sent for an instrumental examination:
- X-ray of the abdominal cavity.
- CT scan.
- Sigmoidoscopy.
- Colonoscopy.
- FEGDS.
- Ultrasonography.
Intestinal colic in children and its treatment
Medicines that are intended to relieve pain in infants do not completely eliminate spasms. They only slightly relieve the severity of the attack. These drugs include: Disflatil, dill water, Espumisan and the use of a gas outlet tube.
Most pediatricians simply recommend that parents get through this period by feeding in an upright position, applying a heating pad, and massaging the baby's tummy. In very rare cases (if the child tolerates pain syndromes with difficulty), you can give him Papaverine or No-shpu.
The course of treatment and dosage is selected separately for each child after examination by a specialist.
If a child has severe intestinal colic , then it is necessary to call a specialist at home. Before his arrival, it is not recommended to give the baby painkillers, apply heating pads or give enemas. These activities can significantly complicate the diagnosis.
The treatment provided will depend entirely on the pathology that caused the baby’s condition. If necessary, the child is taken to the hospital and undergoes surgery .
Treatment for simple colic is carried out at home. The following medications are used for this:
- Sedatives. Valerian or motherwort extract tablets relieve nervous tension and stress.
- Antispasmodics - Duspatalin, Buscopan, No-shpa or Drotaverine. These drugs relax intestinal smooth muscle.
- Sorbents - Sorbex, Enterosgel, Atoxil and activated carbon.
- Antidiarrheals with simethicone - Espumisan and Smecta.
With a normal spasm, as self-help, you can apply a warm heating pad to the baby’s groin area. This procedure will remove pain and spasms. If intestinal colic is associated with constipation or flatulence, a warm enema with mint infusion will help relieve gas and feces from the tract.
Herbal medicine in the treatment of intestinal and stomach colic
To suppress putrefactive and fermentative processes, treatment is carried out using a combination of herbs. Alder cones, oak bark and bird cherry are simmered in a water bath and the baby is allowed to drink this decoction in small sips throughout the day. The amount of decoction drunk per day should not exceed 250 milliliters.
Cumin, cinquefoil root, blueberries, sage and immortelle flowers have astringent properties.
All products are poured with boiling water and infused. After this, they give it to the baby for treatment. This medicine must be taken before meals three times a day, 100 milliliters.
Intestinal colic in a child - symptoms, manifestations and treatment - updated 03.19
Intestinal colic refers to attacks of pain in the area of the intestines that end with a sharp urge to defecate. Often the pain resembles muscle cramps when the intestines work intensely and strongly. Such pain can occur due to an inflammatory reaction in the intestines, poor nutrition, overeating and for various similar reasons.
Causes of intestinal colic
In the intestines, colic is caused by spastic contractions of the thin or thick part. Most often, spasms begin in the small intestine and gradually affect the entire intestine. Intestinal spasm is mainly a consequence of irritation. There are many reasons for this irritation.
Here is a list of the most common:
- Intestinal obstruction.
- Helminthic infestations.
- Excessive nervous tension and stressful situations.
- Poisoning with heavy metal salts.
- Poisoning with poisons, mushrooms and other toxic substances.
- Bacterial lesions of the intestines (dysentery, salmonellosis and others).
- Eating exotic foods that are unusual for the stomach.
- Eating stale or poor quality food.
- Overeating, eating a large amount of food at one time.
- Stomach diseases, diseases of the pancreas, diseases of the oral cavity do not allow food to be fully processed. Because of this, it enters the intestines insufficiently digested.
Intestinal colic in a child is a sign of disease
Intestinal spasms in children occur less frequently or more often if the body is in a pathological condition or they suffer from certain diseases:
- Vulnerability of the nervous system. In thin children who are impressionable and suspicious, colic may appear in class (if the material has not been fully learned), before an exam or public speaking. This condition is very familiar to a child over 7 years old who is prone to anxiety.
- Helminthiases. The nerve endings of the tract are irritated by intestinal parasites and provoke intestinal colic. Roundworms, twisted into balls, clog the lumen between the intestinal sections, thereby causing obstruction.
- Intestinal infections. They are typical for a child aged 5–6 years. Cholera, dysentery, salmonellosis, typhoid fever and other pathologies affect intestinal motility.
- Indigestion. Diseases of the pancreas and liver, gastritis, and stomach ulcers do not allow the gastrointestinal tract to fully absorb food. Residues that are not processed enter the intestines and provoke spasms.
Source: //sevastopol3gb.ru/pishhevod/kishechnaya-kolika-u-detej-prichiny-simptomy-i-lechenie.html
Examination for intestinal colic
Diagnosis of the condition in which intestinal spasm occurs is carried out taking into account the doctor’s suspicions of a specific disease. After collecting anamnesis, the child is sent for various studies. A complete blood count reveals anemia and inflammatory changes. The biochemical method shows the ratio of electrolytes and dysfunction of the kidneys, pancreas, and liver.
The coprogram allows you to study the composition of the child’s stool and determine the presence of pathological changes affecting the intestines, pancreas, and liver. Urinalysis also detects disorders of important digestive organs.
To obtain more reliable information, children with intestinal colic are referred for instrumental examination:
- Ultrasound;
- FEGDS;
- colonoscopy;
- sigmoidoscopy;
- CT scan;
- X-ray of the abdominal cavity.
Treatment of intestinal colic in children
If a child has severe spasms in the intestines, it is advisable to call a doctor at home. Before the specialist arrives, it is forbidden to give enemas, apply heating pads or give the baby painkillers, otherwise the measures will make it difficult to make a diagnosis.
How treatment will be carried out depends on the pathology that provoked the colic. In special cases, the baby is taken to the hospital and surgical intervention is performed if the need arises.
For simple colic, treatment is carried out at home using the following medications:
- Antidiarrheals with simethicone - Smecta and Espumisan.
- Sorbents – Activated carbon, Atoxil, Enterosgel, Sorbex.
- Antispasmodics – No-shpa (Drotaverine), Buscopan, Duspatalin. They relax the smooth muscles of the intestines.
- Sedatives – motherwort or valerian extract tablets relieve stress and nervous tension.
For simple colic, as a self-help measure, you can apply a warm heating pad to the child's groin area. The procedure will eliminate spasms and pain. If the problem of intestinal colic is associated with flatulence or constipation, a warm enema with mint infusion will help clear the tract of feces and gases.
Intestinal colic in children: symptoms, treatment and causes - MedShield
Intestinal colic is an acute pain attack in the gastrointestinal tract, which is a symptom of diseases of various etiologies. They are most common in young children. In this article we will look at how intestinal colic manifests itself. Let's find out how to treat this symptom.
Colic
Attention! Colic is a symptom, not an independent disease. They can be a sign of various pathologies. It is not recommended to engage in self-diagnosis based on symptoms of unknown etiology.
Reasons for appearance
Typical intestinal colic is similar to symptoms of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease (inflammatory bowel disease). In Crohn's disease, the small intestine most often becomes inflamed. Ulcerative colitis (UC) affects all mucous membranes of the colon and rectum.
YAK
However, people who do not have chronic inflammatory bowel syndrome also sometimes experience intestinal colic. This occurs due to excess accumulation of gases in the intestines (flatulence), the formation of adhesions, or intestinal obstruction (obstruction).
Intestinal obstruction occurs when foreign bodies, tumors, or certain disorders reduce the intestinal lumen or even completely block it.
Sometimes colic is caused by poor diet or food intolerance (such as lactose intolerance). They appear spontaneously and disappear after a few minutes.
Symptoms
Typical signs of intestinal colic:
- Stomach cramps,
- Acute abdominal pain
- Nausea,
- Vomit.
Sometimes other symptoms occur:
- High blood pressure,
- Accelerated and increased heartbeat,
- Increased sweating
- Pain radiating to various parts of the body
- Cramps.
Acute pain causes irritation in the peritoneum, which can lead to severe nausea and vomiting, and short-term intestinal paralysis. Attacks of pain in the intestinal area usually last 20-30 minutes.
What does the appearance of colic mean?
The term "colic" refers to very severe abdominal pain that is independent of movement. It is caused by convulsive contraction of the smooth muscles of a hollow organ.
The cause of this pain is the kidneys, intestines or gall bladder. Thus, in medicine there are several types of colic: renal, biliary, intestinal.
A subtype of the latter is three-month colic, which occurs in the first three months of a baby’s life.
Newborn
A characteristic feature of colic is wave-like pain; acute pain alternates with almost painless phases. Other internal organs, such as the stomach or uterus, can also hurt in this way, but these are exceptional cases.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis of intestinal colic is always based on a comprehensive and detailed history of the patient. Psychosomatic or functional problems with the intestines and differential diagnoses: gallstones or stomach diseases are excluded.
Correct diagnosis of psychosomatic and functional disorders is not an easy task for a doctor. Typically, organic causes of symptoms need to be ruled out. However, it is extremely important to prescribe the correct diet and optimal treatment.
To diagnose organic causes of colic, X-ray, ultrasound and endoscopic examination are used. Sometimes computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI and CT) are used for diagnosis. In exceptional cases, surgical laparoscopy is used.
In the case of intestinal colic, imaging can be performed with intravenous contrast agents. A detailed description of relevant symptoms by the patient is particularly helpful for a quick and reliable diagnosis. For example, at what time the attacks of pain occur and how intense.
MRI
Important! Intestinal spasms and accompanying symptoms in a child should be treated by a qualified specialist.
First aid
Many people wonder how to help a child with colic? You should only consult a doctor if pain in your child’s stomach or intestines continues for several days.
If the pain becomes unbearable, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
You should not give painkillers to a newborn or a child under one year old, as they can lead to unpredictable consequences or side effects.
If your baby experiences nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation, you should tell your doctor. If there is a decrease in mood, general malaise or a feeling of weakness in the baby, it is also recommended to visit a doctor. If cramps appear in the intestinal or gastric area, you should immediately seek medical help.
With an unhealthy lifestyle or constant stress, symptoms increase gradually rather than appearing all at once.
If there is a persistent increase in blood pressure, unexplained rapid heartbeat or extrasystoles, you should call an ambulance.
In school-age children, colic can be so severe that if left untreated, serious complications can arise that can lead to a life-threatening condition.
Treatment
Young mothers are wondering how to help their child during an attack? Depending on the cause that caused it, various treatment methods are used.
Therapeutic methods range from drug interventions, homeopathy and proven methods of traditional Chinese medicine to naturopathy.
Intestinal muscle spasms are usually treated in traditional medicine with painkillers and antispasmodics.
If you are lactose intolerant, you need to exclude dairy and fermented milk products from your diet. In some cases, the use of antibiotics or even surgery to cut adhesions may be necessary. In contrast, inflammatory bowel diseases require special treatment methods.
Patients with Crohn's disease are advised to take corticosteroids - special adrenal hormones.
In naturopathy, St. John's wort, fennel, anise, mint, cumin and chamomile are used in various combinations. In TCM (traditional Chinese medicine), patients are treated with relaxation exercises and acupuncture. However, such treatment is effective only if the cause of colic is psychosomatic disorders.
Acupuncture
Diet
Grain products and potatoes are the basis of a healthy diet. Flour and products containing it should ideally be made only from whole grains. Fiber improves the functioning of the digestive tract, provides the body with microelements and vitamins.
Fruits and vegetables are also an integral part of a healthy diet for colic of various etiologies. They provide the body with vitamins and fructose in sufficient but not excessive quantities. However, animal products also contain vitamins, including those that are not found in green plants.
For colic, it is important to combine white and red meat for a week. Only red meat is not allowed. Fish is a source of omega-3 fatty acids, iodine and other key microelements. Red meat and fish are also major sources of protein and iron.
The average adult needs about 350 grams of fish and 600 grams of red meat per week. This may not seem like enough to some, but eggs, milk and dairy products also contain proteins and vitamins.
Prevention
Many people ask what to do to prevent colic? To prevent this phenomenon, it is recommended to keep the abdominal area constantly warm, regularly perform abdominal exercises, get enough sleep and eat small meals (5-6 times a day). During the period of exacerbation of the disease that causes spasms, excessive psycho-emotional and physical stress should be avoided. They are able to reduce the patient's pain threshold and intensify attacks of pain.
Advice! If unbearable pain occurs, you should immediately consult a doctor. In some cases they can pose a threat to the patient's life.
Source: //lekartver.ru/beremennost/kishechnaya-kolika-u-detej-simptomy-lechenie-i-prichiny-vozniknoveniya.html
Herbal medicine against spasms
Harmless treatment of intestinal colic can be carried out using folk remedies (after consultation with a specialist). If the spasm is accompanied by constipation, decoctions obtained from herbal infusions with anise fruits, elderberry flowers, buckthorn or licorice bark will help to relax the intestines and speed up bowel movements.
To suppress fermentation and putrefactive processes, treatment is carried out by combining herbs. Bird cherry, oak bark and alder cones are simmered in a water bath and the child is given the decoction to drink in small sips throughout the day (daily dosage – 250 ml).
Immortelle flowers, sage, blueberries, cinquefoil root and caraway have astringent effects. All ingredients are poured with boiling water and after infusion, given to the child for treatment. You need to drink the drug 3 times. per day before meals, 100 ml.
- If your child periodically experiences intestinal colic, try to eliminate it by adjusting his diet. Exclude from the children's diet seasonings, soda, dishes made from yeast dough, pickles, marinades, everything fatty and fried, as well as foods with coarse fiber (diet No. 4).
- Prevention of intestinal disorders in a child includes a light massage of the abdomen and back, physical activity, compliance with dietary standards, drinking tea with mint, fennel, and chamomile.
Timely treatment of intestinal colic promises a favorable prognosis. Advanced conditions are dangerous due to dysbiosis, irritable bowel syndrome, enterocolitis and other pathologies.
Pain with colic appears in the area just below the navel. In this case, the child takes a forced position, bending over or pressing his legs to his stomach, and drops of sweat can be seen on his face. As a rule, the pain goes away after a few minutes, after which the child’s condition either improves or another intestinal spasm begins. What is intestinal colic in a child, why does it appear and how to help? Let's find out below.
Symptoms of intestinal colic and methods of treating spasms in children
Intestinal colic is paroxysmal pain that occurs in the abdomen along the location of the intestines.
Their appearance is associated with overeating or poor diet of the child, the inflammatory process in the tract and the influence of other factors. The term "intestinal colic" is not associated with a specific disease.
Gastroenterologists classify it as a special type of sensation that occurs in various pathologies.
Symptoms of intestinal spasms
Clinical symptoms of colic in children appear suddenly with acute sharp pain in the abdomen. Attacks occur after running fast, lifting heavy weights, or eating a heavy meal. Abdominal pain seems cutting to the child. In attempts to get rid of them, the baby changes his body position, becomes capricious, screams, and experiences nervous excitement.
Irritation of the nerve endings of the peritoneum causes symptoms in the child such as flatulence, nausea, problems with bowel movements, and headache. Possible increase in blood pressure. If intestinal colic has had a significant duration, the baby will look tired and indifferent. The diarrhea that appears after the spasm gives sharp relief, but the nagging pain in the abdomen persists.
Dr. Komarovsky draws the attention of parents to the child’s bowel movements. If fatty or mucous inclusions are visible in the feces, this indicates improper digestion of food. The process causes general discomfort, loss of appetite and motor activity.
Signs of acute intestinal colic
Spastic sensations are always acute and are manifested by a burning sensation in the intestinal area and cramping pain. As soon as the child feels better, he should undergo an examination to clarify the diagnosis that provoked the adverse changes.
The following symptoms will help parents make sure that the spasm is truly acute:
- pain occurs suddenly;
- during cramps, the abdominal muscles tense;
- loose, heterogeneous stool with mucus and a foul odor is released;
- Intestinal spasms in children appear periodically and for a short time.
When intestinal colic occurs, the baby's body temperature may remain normal if the discomfort is not associated with an intestinal infection. When the tract becomes infected, the thermometer reaches high levels, and the symptoms of colic resemble a cold in combination with an intestinal disorder.
Examination for intestinal colic
Diagnosis of the condition in which intestinal spasm occurs is carried out taking into account the doctor’s suspicions of a specific disease. After collecting anamnesis, the child is sent for various studies. A complete blood count reveals anemia and inflammatory changes. The biochemical method shows the ratio of electrolytes and dysfunction of the kidneys, pancreas, and liver.
The coprogram allows you to study the composition of the child’s stool and determine the presence of pathological changes affecting the intestines, pancreas, and liver. Urinalysis also detects disorders of important digestive organs.
To obtain more reliable information, children with intestinal colic are referred for instrumental examination:
- Ultrasound;
- FEGDS;
- colonoscopy;
- sigmoidoscopy;
- CT scan;
- X-ray of the abdominal cavity.
Treatment of intestinal colic in children
If a child has severe spasms in the intestines, it is advisable to call a doctor at home. Before the specialist arrives, it is forbidden to give enemas, apply heating pads or give the baby painkillers, otherwise the measures will make it difficult to make a diagnosis.
How treatment will be carried out depends on the pathology that provoked the colic. In special cases, the baby is taken to the hospital and surgical intervention is performed if the need arises.
For simple colic, treatment is carried out at home using the following medications:
- Antidiarrheals with simethicone - Smecta and Espumisan.
- Sorbents – Activated carbon, Atoxil, Enterosgel, Sorbex.
- Antispasmodics – No-shpa (Drotaverine), Buscopan, Duspatalin. They relax the smooth muscles of the intestines.
- Sedatives – motherwort or valerian extract tablets relieve stress and nervous tension.
For simple colic, as a self-help measure, you can apply a warm heating pad to the child's groin area. The procedure will eliminate spasms and pain. If the problem of intestinal colic is associated with flatulence or constipation, a warm enema with mint infusion will help clear the tract of feces and gases.
Herbal medicine against spasms
Harmless treatment of intestinal colic can be carried out using folk remedies (after consultation with a specialist). If the spasm is accompanied by constipation, decoctions obtained from herbal infusions with anise fruits, elderberry flowers, buckthorn or licorice bark will help to relax the intestines and speed up bowel movements.
To suppress fermentation and putrefactive processes, treatment is carried out by combining herbs. Bird cherry, oak bark and alder cones are simmered in a water bath and the child is given the decoction to drink in small sips throughout the day (daily dosage – 250 ml).
Immortelle flowers, sage, blueberries, cinquefoil root and caraway have astringent effects. All ingredients are poured with boiling water and after infusion, given to the child for treatment. You need to drink the drug 3 times. per day before meals, 100 ml.
Our specialist comments
- If your child periodically experiences intestinal colic, try to eliminate it by adjusting his diet. Exclude from the children's diet seasonings, soda, dishes made from yeast dough, pickles, marinades, everything fatty and fried, as well as foods with coarse fiber (diet No. 4).
- Prevention of intestinal disorders in a child includes a light massage of the abdomen and back, physical activity, compliance with dietary standards, drinking tea with mint, fennel, and chamomile.
Timely treatment of intestinal colic promises a favorable prognosis.
Advanced conditions are dangerous due to dysbiosis, irritable bowel syndrome, enterocolitis and other pathologies.
A famous doctor talks about colic in a baby
Source: //LechenieDetok.ru/gastroenterolog/kishechnaya-kolika-simptomy-i-lechenie-u-detej.html
What causes colic?
The reasons that cause intestinal spasms in childhood can be very different. Intestinal colic in an infant is a common disorder of intestinal functioning, which is easily explained by the incomplete development of the digestive tract and the immaturity of the nervous system of the newborn. The first symptoms of intestinal colic in infants begin at 3 weeks of life and usually end by 4 months.
In older children, intestinal colic occurs for the following reasons::
- intestinal obstruction;
- helminthiases;
- disruption of the stomach, pancreas and other digestive organs;
- poisoning with salts of heavy metals;
- infectious diseases;
- inflammatory processes in the intestines, for example, colitis;
- stress, psycho-emotional overload;
- excessive exercise, which causes constant irritation of the intestinal loops.
Symptoms
Symptoms of intestinal colic in an infant differ from intestinal spasms in children older than one year. Usually, colic in a baby begins during feeding or immediately after it - after 15 minutes. The child, even if he has managed to fall asleep, wakes up crying, regurgitates food and behaves extremely excitedly. If you touch his tummy at this moment, you will notice how hard and tense it has become.
If a crying baby is offered a breast or a bottle, he will respond with a categorical refusal. The final development of the nervous system and digestive tract of the baby occurs closer to the year, so in the first months of life, intestinal colic in children occurs quite often and has varying severity.
Symptoms of intestinal colic in children under 5 years of age and older are manifested by intense spasms and pain in the intestinal area, bloating, rumbling and upset stools, and the appearance of mucus. During intestinal colic, the child’s condition sharply worsens, general weakness and dizziness are observed.
Since symptoms of intestinal colic in children can accompany various pathologies of the digestive system, it is necessary to find out the cause of the problem and treat it immediately.
Symptoms of intestinal spasm
The spasm may also be accompanied by diarrhea or lead to constipation. Flatulence, severe belching and nausea are also typical. Not good at all when it comes to vomiting.
It is undesirable to bring the process to a chronic state. But if suddenly this has already happened, then all these symptoms will be supplemented by severe headache, chills and cold, unpleasant sweating.
Symptoms may be aggravated by intestinal obstruction or thrombosis of small vessels. At this stage of the disease, the spasm will no longer be indicated by pain in a clearly defined area, but the pain will expand over the entire area of the peritoneum.
The abdomen will become very hard, and palpation will only increase the pain. Patients also complain of a feeling of fullness in the intestines that does not leave even after visiting the toilet. More often there is a desire to visit the restroom, which does not ultimately lead to defecation.
Intestinal colic as a sign of disease
There are a number of known diseases, the symptom of which is intestinal colic in a child. Firstly, these are diseases of the stomach and pancreas - gastritis and pancreatitis, against the background of which food is not absorbed in full and enters the intestines in an undigested form.
Secondly, intestinal colic can be triggered by irritation of the nerve endings and muscles located on the intestinal walls. This may be due to an intestinal infection, ARVI, or influenza.
Thirdly, intestinal colic, which occurs due to impaired intestinal motility, occurs as a sign of enteritis, irritable bowel syndrome, nervous disorder and other serious diseases that require treatment.
Features of intestinal colic in infants
In the third week from birth, the baby may experience painful cramps in the abdomen, to which he reacts with a loud, high-pitched, long cry. The baby's tummy swells and hardens. The child wiggles his legs and becomes restless. Most often, such spasms appear in newborns in the late afternoon (colic time is after 18:00), can last up to 3 hours and end suddenly. The causes of infant colic are not fully understood. It is known that it can be caused by increased gas formation, imperfection of the nerve endings of the newborn’s intestines, due to the certain composition and enzymes of breast milk, which change during the day.
Intestinal colic in such babies is not considered a pathology. The phenomenon disappears without any treatment, on its own, by 3-4 months of life. It is believed that male infants are more likely to suffer from colic.
Only a doctor can reliably determine whether colic in a baby is a symptom of a congenital pathology, and which one. If the child is healthy, then no treatment will be required in this case. Parents will just have to be patient. Over time, the baby's digestive and nervous system improves, and intestinal colic goes away. You can alleviate the baby's condition by laying it on the stomach, lightly massaging the tummy, or applying a warm diaper. A nursing mother's diet or formula should be carefully selected and not provoke increased gas formation, which leads to intestinal colic.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of a condition accompanied by intestinal colic is carried out under the supervision of a doctor who suspects a specific disease. After examination and medical history, the child is asked to undergo a general blood test, which helps to identify anemia and inflammation in the body. The doctor also gives a referral for a coprogram - a stool test that allows you to obtain data on disorders of the intestines, liver and pancreas.
To obtain a more accurate picture, children with intestinal spasms are referred to ultrasound, FEGDS, computed tomography, abdominal radiography and colonoscopy.
Diagnostic methods
Diagnosis of intestinal colic in newborns begins with an initial examination by a pediatrician, taking an anamnesis, comparing symptoms and palpation of the abdominal cavity. In most cases, this is enough to make a diagnosis and eliminate pain.
However, if the mother is overly concerned or the specialist is unsure, it may be necessary to conduct tests for intestinal colic - bacteriological culture of stool, general urine and blood tests.
In rare cases, an ultrasound of the peritoneal organs is prescribed.
First aid
First aid for intestinal colic in infants can be complex and consist of several measures:
- During feeding, the baby must be kept in a close upright position to prevent aerophagia - swallowing excess air, which often causes intestinal cramps after eating.
- If your baby is receiving formula or breast milk from a bottle, it is important to ensure that he or she wraps his lips tightly around the nipple and that the diameter of the hole in the nipple is not too large.
- Between feedings, you can give your baby a warm bath with the addition of herbal decoctions that have an antispasmodic effect (for example, mint, chamomile, oregano).
Folk remedies for intestinal spasms
You can relieve and eliminate intestinal spasms using the following traditional medicine:
| drink a decoction of blueberries, gooseberries, plums and blackcurrant leaves brewed in equal proportions; |
| soak the birch mushroom for 4 hours, then crush it, pour the resulting mass with warm water and leave for 2 days, then filter and drink 6 times a day before meals; |
| drink 1 tbsp once every 2 hours. vegetable oil and immediately after that - a few sips of mint or chamomile decoction; |
| pour wormwood (70 g) with spring water and leave for a day, then boil the mixture and filter; sprinkle the resulting broth with granulated sugar (350 g) - you can replace it with honey, boil; take the product 4 times a day, a teaspoon; |
| take equal parts of chopped meadowsweet, St. John's wort, walnut partitions and nettle, bring to a boil and leave covered to cool to room temperature. Drink 1/2 glass every hour. |
Treatment
Treatment of intestinal colic in newborns is not necessary, since this is not a dangerous condition that occurs in all babies and goes away on its own by 4-6 months of life. Medicines intended to relieve colic in infants do not eliminate spasms in full, slightly reducing the severity of the attack: these are Espumisan, dill water, Disflatil, and the use of a gas tube.
Many experienced pediatricians advise parents to simply survive the period of infant colic by giving the baby a abdominal massage, applying a heating pad, and feeding in an upright position. In exceptional cases, when a child has difficulty withstanding painful spasms, you can try antispasmodics such as Papaverine or No-shpa. The dose of the drug and the course of its administration should be selected by the doctor based on an examination of the baby and the exclusion of other causes that can cause intestinal colic.
Treatment of symptoms of intestinal colic in older children can begin only after the cause of the pathology is known. Usually in these cases, intestinal spasms are a sign of some disease, and in order to cure it, you need to undergo an examination to identify its cause. This is important to consider, since intestinal colic in school-age children may require surgical treatment if it occurs as a result of acute intestinal obstruction, appendicitis, or other causes.
In this case, you need to call an ambulance and do not take any action until the doctor arrives - you cannot offer the child any medications to relieve pain, or apply heating pads, otherwise you can blur the clinical picture of the disease, and the doctor will make an incorrect diagnosis.
If attacks of intestinal colic have occurred not for the first time in a child, and the exact cause of this condition is known, then, as prescribed by the doctor, symptomatic treatment is carried out using drugs that solve the following problems:
- Means for pain relief: No-shpa, Spasmol, Drotaverine, Papaverine, Besalol, Buscopan.
- Medicines to reduce increased gas formation, relieve symptoms of flatulence and bloating: Disflatil, Bobotik, Espumisan.
- Medicines for the relief of diarrhea: Laktofiltrum, Smecta, Enterosgel. Read more about when Smecta is appointed →
Diet
Treatment of symptoms of intestinal colic in infants should begin with correcting the diet of the nursing mother. To prevent problems with the baby’s tummy, a woman is recommended to reconsider her daily diet and exclude gas-forming foods from it: cabbage, including sauerkraut, tomatoes, legumes, apples, pears, watermelons, black bread, mushrooms, kvass, sweets.
If the baby is bottle-fed, then you need to double-check whether the dry formula is properly diluted with water according to the instructions. Perhaps some proportions are off. Also, formula-fed children suffering from intestinal colic should avoid formulas that contain iron, and a third of the daily diet should be a special fermented milk mixture, for example, Agu, Lactofidus and others.
The diet for intestinal colic in older children depends on what caused the illness. Of course, during an attack and immediately after it, it is undesirable to give the child any food at all, since there will be no benefit from this; on the contrary, a relapse of an attack of intestinal colic will not be long in coming.
If abdominal pain occurs regularly, but does not cause serious discomfort, the diet should be complete, enriched with vitamins B and C. The doctor may also advise removing too heavy foods from the diet, for example, meat, replacing it with lighter proteins such as fish and poultry .
If you suspect an allergy as the root cause of intestinal cramps, you should immediately exclude possible allergens from the menu and monitor the child’s well-being. It is advisable to supplement the diet for intestinal colic with a large amount of weak black tea with a minimum of sugar, as well as the use of herbal decoctions such as decoction of cumin, fennel, yarrow, and peppermint.
Treatment of intestinal spasm
The following methods will help relieve pain during intestinal spasms:
- Antispasmodic and painkillers are prescribed:
- No-shpa;
- Papaverine;
- Baralgin;
- Spasmalgon.
- Physiotherapeutic method:
- physiotherapy;
- cold rubdowns;
- cold shower, dousing the stomach;
- massage.
- Psychotherapeutic method: talk therapy or hypnotherapy is performed.
- Dietary method: the following foods should be included in the daily diet:
- black bread;
- buckwheat porridge;
- honey;
- vegetable soups;
- peas;
- mushrooms;
- mashed potatoes;
- White bread;
- lean meat and fish;
- plums, prunes, figs, apples, cucumbers, turnips, beets, cabbage;
- kefir, kumiss, yogurt.
- Surgical method: if all of the above methods do not help, then surgery is possible.
Prevention
Prevention of intestinal colic in children is as follows:
- refusal of unhealthy foods that can cause disruption of the digestive system;
- you need to eat only high-quality products that have been stored under normal conditions in compliance with sales deadlines;
- It is forbidden to eat dry food, as this inhibits the digestion process: due to a lack of enzymes, foods cannot be fully absorbed by the stomach, and cramps occur;
- you should not overeat and get up from the table with a heaviness in your stomach, but if this happens, you need to take enzymes like Mezim or Festal;
- vegetables, fruits, cereals and fermented milk products should make up the majority of the diet; regular intake of flaxseed oil will not be amiss.
Timely diagnosis and treatment of symptoms of intestinal colic in children guarantees a good prognosis for recovery. Neglected conditions are fraught with the development of complications such as dysbiosis, enterocolitis and much more.
Author: Olga Rogozhkina, doctor, especially for Moizhivot.ru
