Abdominal cramps. Intestinal colic in adults, signs and treatment Stomach colic in adults, symptoms and treatment

Intestinal colic is an attack of acute pain (muscle spasm), the intensity of which can increase or disappear on its own. Very often, painful sensations end with the urge to defecate or the release of gas. The occurrence of pathology is associated with a sharp contraction of the intestinal walls.

Intestinal colic is not an independent disease; it is a complication that signals a disruption in normal functioning or the development of any diseases in the digestive tract.


Causes of intestinal colic

The etiology of the development of the disease is diverse. Pathology can be caused by many different factors, both internal and external. Unpleasant, painful sensations arise as a result of certain pathological conditions and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract:

  • diseases of the digestive tract - gastritis, stomach ulcers, non-infectious colitis, disorders of the liver and pancreas disrupt the normal functioning of organs, food is poorly digested. And, entering the small intestine in a large volume, it provokes the development of intestinal colic;
  • poisoning – food, plant poisons, chemicals, salts of heavy metals;
  • intestinal infections - dysentery, salmonellosis, cholera, typhoid fever;
  • unbalanced diet, in particular abuse and fermentation in the intestines, gas-containing drinks after meals (yeast baked goods, kvass, lemonades, products with a high content of lactic acids, for example, sauerkraut). In case of intestinal colic, it is strictly forbidden to introduce them into the diet;
  • helminth infection;
  • viral infections – acute respiratory infections, ARVI, sore throat, “intestinal flu”;
  • acute intestinal obstruction (tumor proliferation, etc.) intestinal colic occurs as a result of the “struggle” of the intestinal muscles with insurmountable obstacles to the movement of feces.

External factors that can trigger intestinal colic include:

  • mechanical injuries, blows to the abdominal cavity and as a consequence;
  • stressful situations, severe psycho-emotional trauma (increased nervous excitability, in which excitement spreads to the intestines, this is a congenital anomaly that is not the norm);
  • postoperative interventions or complications after surgery on the abdominal organs also often cause intestinal colic. At risk are adults over 40 years of age (both men and women) who have undergone abdominal surgery, have adhesions on the abdomen, and patients complaining of chronic constipation and intestinal bleeding.

In this case, intestinal colic can occur simultaneously and go away on its own, which often happens in overly excited people during public speaking, passing exams, etc., if the spasm is caused by a stressful situation. In other cases, intestinal colic in adults appears periodically, often with increasing intensity of pain, which requires immediate consultation with a specialist.


Symptoms and clinical manifestations

In medicine, there are several types of pathology

Type of colic Characteristic signs
Appendiceal colic is most often the first sign of acute appendicitis.
  • a severe attack of pain occurs suddenly;
  • the pain is localized in the lower part of the right side of the abdomen (inflammation of the vermiform appendix of the colon occurs);
  • Over time, the pain intensifies.
Rectal (rectal) colic
  • acute pain occurs in the rectal area;
  • Over time, the attacks become stronger;
  • Along with the pain, there is a painful urge to empty the bowel.
Lead colic - appears as a result of lead poisoning in the body, often as a result of working in hazardous industries.
  • acute attacks of excruciating pain, causing severe tension in the anterior abdominal wall;
  • cramping pain;
  • periods of rest become shorter over time;
  • the gums bleed and a whitish coating appears on them;
  • Body temperature rises to 40 0 ​​C.

With intestinal colic of this type, the patient requires emergency care.

Vascular colic is the main cause of this type of intestinal colic; it is insufficient blood supply to the intestinal muscle tissue (tumors, polyps, adhesions, vein thrombosis).
  • at the very beginning, the pain may be mild and aching;
  • over time, the pain intensifies;
  • with oxygen starvation in the tissues, an attack of acute pain occurs, covering the entire abdominal cavity.

Despite the underlying causes that caused the painful spasms, the main symptoms are always sudden, cramping pain in the abdominal area, which only intensifies over time.

They appear after eating, but in gastroenterological diseases they can begin suddenly on an “empty stomach”, regardless of the time of day.

Muscle spasms may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

  • with a prolonged attack, the pain radiates to the groin area, to the lower back, to the tailbone, and it may feel like it covers the entire abdominal cavity;
  • prolonged spasm interferes with the normal passage of gases and feces, resulting in severe bloating, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, belching (if intestinal colic develops against the background of gastritis or stomach ulcers);
  • in some cases, a sharp increase in blood pressure may occur (except in the case of intestinal obstruction, in this situation the pressure, on the contrary, decreases);
  • the patient feels a loss of strength, his condition worsens every hour (the clinical picture is typical for intestinal colic that occurs against the background of acute intestinal obstruction);
  • stool disorder occurs: diarrhea mixed with blood, mucus or constipation;
  • Body temperature can rise during a spasm only in cases where it is caused by viral or intestinal infections, as well as poisoning.

If a person’s condition worsens from the moment the attack begins, medical help should be immediately called, since only a specialist can determine the cause of such a condition. It should be remembered that such dangerous conditions as intestinal obstruction, poisoning, dysentery (severe stage) require immediate treatment. In its absence, the risk of death increases.

Diagnostics

Considering that intestinal colic is not an independent disease, but rather a consequence of multiple pathologies in the body, the specialist conducts a detailed diagnosis. This is necessary to determine the true cause that provoked the spasm of muscle tissue. The initial diagnosis is established by interviewing the patient, during which complaints and symptoms are analyzed. Along with this, the doctor conducts a physiological examination and palpation of the abdominal organs.

The final diagnosis is made based on the results of the following procedures:

  • Gastroduodenoscopy is an endoscopic examination in which a visual examination of the organs of the digestive system (esophagus, stomach, duodenum) is performed in order to identify possible abnormalities in the functioning of these organs that disrupt normal digestion and provoke the development of intestinal colic.
  • Cholecystography is the diagnosis of the gallbladder using X-rays and a contrast agent to identify possible abnormalities in the structure and function of the gallbladder.
  • – examination of the large intestine using an endoscope. During diagnosis, one can detect such anomalies as inflammation of the mucous tissue of the intestinal walls, neoplasms of various types, diverticulitis, ulcerations in the mucous layer, narrowing of the intestinal ducts caused by the inflammatory process.
  • – examination of the rectum and sigmoid intestine to identify various anomalies (tumors, ulcers, inflammatory processes, adhesions, etc.).
  • MRI, ultrasound, CT – are carried out for visual examination and identification of various pathologies and anomalies in the structure and functioning of organs.
  • A general blood test is prescribed to identify the inflammatory process and possible anemia.
  • A general urine test is carried out to identify possible malfunctions of the kidneys, liver and pancreas.
  • – special attention is paid to this type of diagnosis when intestinal colic occurs. In the laboratory, the biomaterial is tested for enzyme activity, the presence of helminthic infestations, intestinal infections and dysbacteriosis.

Based on the diagnostic results, the specialist chooses a treatment tactic that is acceptable to the patient.

Treatment of the disease

Considering the numerous options for the occurrence and development of pathology, the treatment that a specialist will prescribe may be based on completely opposite, in fact, influences, depending on the cause that caused the painful condition. In this case, a mandatory element of treatment is a special diet and medication. Surgical intervention becomes mandatory only in critical condition of the patient with acute intestinal obstruction.

First aid for intestinal colic

When very painful spasms appear, it is necessary to alleviate the patient’s condition as soon as possible. In this case, you should definitely seek medical help, because after an acute attack of pain is relieved, the patient must be under the supervision of a specialist who will identify the symptoms and be able to select the correct treatment for intestinal colic. One should also take into account the fact that an intestinal infection requires hospitalization of the patient in an infectious diseases hospital, and acute intestinal obstruction requires emergency surgical intervention. Any delay in both cases increases the risk of death.


In order to eliminate excruciating pain at home, you can use the following options:

  1. Take 2 tablets of no-shpa with warm mint infusion. Instead of no-shpa, you can take 1 tablet of papaverine with platiphylline.
  2. If the patient’s condition is complicated by severe vomiting and it is difficult to take drugs orally, you can do a cleansing enema with a warm decoction of mint and insert rectal suppositories with belladonna extract into the lower rectum, which quickly relieve spasms and help eliminate muscle spasms.
  3. Drink "": 1 sachet of dry powder dissolves in 100 ml of water.
  4. If you suspect food poisoning, take the following sorbent orally: Activated carbon at the rate of 0.5 g per 10 kg of human body weight.

After taking the measures, the patient should completely exclude any food intake for about 12 hours. When treating intestinal colic in adults, it is allowed to drink pure still water or warm, freshly brewed tea without sugar (not strong). In this case, a strong discharge of gas or a single loose stool may occur.

Intestinal infections and toxic infections

The main measures are aimed at treating intestinal and toxic infections with the following drugs:

  • antibiotics: Levomycetin, Kanamycin, Gentamicin;
  • intestinal antiseptics: Furazolidone, Biseptol, ;
  • saline solutions, glucose, vitamins and plasma are administered intravenously in severe patient conditions.

It is strictly contraindicated at the very beginning of the disease to relieve spasms by warming the abdominal area with a heating pad, and to take products based on bismuth and starch for diarrhea (to “fix the stool”). In this case, it is best to do a cleansing enema with warm water, which will eliminate the pathogens from the body.

Flu, acute respiratory viral infection, acute respiratory infection

With respiratory viral infections, intestinal colic appears, as a rule, 2-3 days after the onset of the disease. Antibiotics are not used to relieve spasms. The following drugs are used:

  • Activated carbon;
  • antispasmodics;
  • vitamins.

In this situation, intestinal colic goes away on its own.

Helminth infection

  • Dekaris;
  • Pirantel.

Acute intestinal obstruction

In the case of acute intestinal obstruction, when intestinal colic is replaced by a delay in the passage of feces and gases, it is necessary to urgently seek medical help. In this situation, only surgical intervention is necessary. With acute intestinal obstruction, a dangerous phase of “false well-being” occurs, in which spasm and pain disappear, and the patient feels relief. This stage is very dangerous, because after imaginary well-being, the peritonitis phase begins, in which the risk of death is high.


Therapeutic diet

For intestinal colic of any type, a special diet is a mandatory component of treatment. When a strong spasm develops, an adult, unlike a child, must adhere to a diet that includes foods enriched with fiber and vitamins, fermented milk drinks, herbal infusions, and vegetable juices. It is better to eat food at the same time in small portions, avoid overeating and completely eliminate diets based on prolonged fasting.

Intestinal colic- this is a symptom that may indicate the onset of the development of a gastrointestinal tract disease, or may be a consequence of poor nutrition or stress. But to understand the causes of intestinal colic, you need to consult a doctor for advice. He will conduct an examination and identify the cause of this symptom, and also prescribe treatment.

Characteristics and types

Intestinal colic is a sharp, sharp pain in any area of ​​the abdomen. They have a cramping and paroxysmal character. Colic occurs suddenly and lasts for a couple of minutes, then the pain subsides, but can also suddenly return. Such cramping pain can occur equally in both men and women, and infants and children of any age are also susceptible to it.

Intestinal colic can be triggered by many reasons, but in general terms we can say that it occurs due to spasm of the intestinal walls.

Depending on which part of the intestine the spasm occurred in and what its cause is, There are several types of colic:


Only a specialist - a gastroenterologist or surgeon - can determine what caused the intestinal spasms. Therefore, to establish the type of colic, as well as the diagnosis, you need to consult a doctor.

This is also necessary to differentiate an attack of intestinal colic from other types. Colic also occurs:

  • renal;
  • gastric;
  • hepatic;
  • pancreas.

One of the main causes of constipation and diarrhea is use of various medications. To improve bowel function after taking medications, you need to do it every day. drink a simple remedy ...

Causes

The causes of intestinal spasms are quite varied, from the most harmless overeating to serious pathologies of the intestinal tract. In general terms, colic is the result of improper intestinal motility, or a violent nervous reaction of its walls to irritants.

That is, if intestinal motility is reduced, feces do not move forward due to the presence of an obstacle in their path, or irritation of the nerves of the intestinal wall occurs, the person will feel severe abdominal pain.

In order to answer the question “why do intestinal colic occur?”, you need to consider Some reasons that may contribute to this:

Depending on the reasons that caused intestinal colic, the pain can be acute, but rare, quieter, but constant or very frequent, spread throughout the entire abdomen or have a clear localization, the pain can migrate, intensify, and then subside.

If the cause of colic was physiological factors (overeating, stress), then the intestinal spasm will soon stop when the irritating factor goes away, but if the cause lies in intestinal pathology, then medical help cannot be avoided.

Constant spasms are usually the first sign of a developing disease, followed soon by other symptoms.

Intestinal colic, not gastric, and does not depend on food intake, the exception is colic of the colon - if a person has overeaten, then a heavy stomach presses on it from above, causing discomfort and pain. In this case, the intestinal spasm will soon pass as soon as the food completely empties the stomach and passes into the intestines.


Colic as a symptom of illness

Sometimes intestinal colic is the first symptom of the development of a disease, most often of the digestive system, but it happens also of other systems.

Such diseases include:

Each of these diseases has its own characteristic symptoms, and colic is only one of the symptoms.

Other symptoms that may accompany intestinal colic include:

  • nausea and vomiting;
  • loss of appetite and weight loss;
  • belching;
  • heartburn;
  • weakness and lethargy;
  • diarrhea or constipation;
  • the appearance of impurities in feces (, pus), changes in its color;
  • rash;
  • grinding teeth in sleep;
  • itching in the anus;
  • bloating;
  • abdominal muscle tension;
  • rapid development of signs of intoxication, in severe cases - convulsions.

If, in addition to intestinal colic, you experience at least a few of the above symptoms, then you should definitely contact a gastroenterologist, or if your condition is severe, call an ambulance.

Only a specialist will be able to give you the correct diagnosis and tell you what to do with intestinal spasms, how to deal with them and what therapy to use.


Diagnostics

In order to correctly determine the causes of intestinal colic, before visiting a doctor or an ambulance, it is better not to take any medications on your own, so as not to blur the picture and mislead the doctor.

The doctor will definitely carry out such measures and will order tests:

  • examination of the patient with palpation and percussion of the abdomen;
  • taking anamnesis;
  • delivery of feces to;
  • stool analysis for oviworm;
  • general blood analysis;
  • Ultrasound and x-ray of the abdominal organs;
  • CT or
    • fruits and vegetables, especially grated apples and carrots;
    • rye bread and homemade crackers without seasoning;
    • dairy products;
    • lean meat and fish;
    • porridge;
    • herbal decoctions and teas;
    • freshly squeezed juices from carrots and spinach.

    From the patient’s diet it is necessary to remove everything spicy, salty, spices and seasonings, fatty and fried foods, rich foods, legumes, canned food, carbonated and alcoholic drinks, smoked meats and pickles.

    If you are sure that you have colic due to harmless reasons, then at home you can take two tablets of No-shpa or Spazmolgon, drink a drug containing belladonna extract, do a warm enema from a decoction of lemon balm or mint, switch to a healthy diet, and For the first six hours, it’s better to even drink unsweetened tea and eat homemade crackers.

    For intestinal colic, meals should be frequent, but in small portions, about six times a day, 200 grams each.

    But still, before taking medicine, especially if it is not just an analgesic or antispasmodic, consult your doctor. After all, the problem may be deeper than you think.

    And remember that intestinal colic, although weak, is still a symptom that can signal in advance a danger threatening your body. Therefore, do not ignore it, washing it down with pills all the time, but find out the reason in order to begin timely etiotropic treatment.

Acute pain, pain and spasm in the intestines signal that something is malfunctioning and needs our attention. Intestinal colic can manifest itself in this simple way.

Signs of intestinal colic in adults

A clear sign of intestinal colic in adults is the presence of acute pain. The nature of the pain is cutting, cramping and stabbing.

The pain may subside and return to strength over a long period of time (from several hours to several days) and spread throughout the entire abdominal cavity. When palpating the abdominal muscles, severe pain and tension may be noted.

What is colic and how does it manifest itself?

Colic (from Latin colica, “intestinal disease”) is a spasm of the intestinal walls. Colic is not a separate disease, and often indicates problems in the gastrointestinal tract 1 . One of the problems may be bowel dysfunction, which in addition to colic may also manifest itself as pain, bloating, diarrhea or constipation. This may indicate that the intestines are irritated. We'll talk about why this happens below.

Colic can occur in response to changes in a person's lifestyle, for example:

  • errors in nutrition, snacking on the go (irregular meals, frequent consumption of fast food, consumption of spicy, fatty, smoked and fried foods);
  • eating foods containing large amounts of yeast (kvass, sauerkraut, etc.);
  • frequent stressful situations and psychological sensitivity;
  • past intestinal infections 2 .

External factors can lead not only to a feeling of discomfort and colic, but also to disruption of the intestines. And when the intestines do not work properly, it shows this with problems such as spasms, pain, bowel movements or bloating. Intestinal dysfunction occurs when its walls are spasmed, and therefore the motor function of the intestine as a whole fails. As a result, the intestinal walls move the contents either too slowly or, conversely, too quickly. We see constipation or diarrhea as symptoms of such a failure.

How to treat intestinal colic in adults?

Treatment of colic is, first of all, eliminating the cause of its occurrence.

If a single symptom appears, the first line of help may be an antispasmodic drug. It stops an attack of pain, relieving colic.

But if you are faced with colic, recurring abdominal discomfort, stool problems or bloating, then you need to act comprehensively. The intestines need to be given full assistance in order to restore its proper functioning, and then the symptoms will not bother you for a long time. It is necessary to be patient and understand that a problem that has not had a high-quality solution for a long period of time cannot be solved once.

Most antispasmodics simply relieve spasms by relaxing the intestinal muscle cells. A “relaxed” intestine is unable to perform functions that are directly related to motility, movement and digestion of food. This means that such drugs can provide only temporary help, but are not able to restore intestinal function, which means the symptoms will appear again and again. In addition, such drugs can adversely affect other organs and systems, since they act throughout the body, and not just where help is needed. Because of this, long-term use on its own is not recommended. 3 .

Duspatalin ® 135 mg tablets not only relieve pain and spasms, but also help restore the motility of the “irritable” intestines when taken as a course 4 . The drug not only allows you to see the result here and now, but is also ready to work in the future so that unpleasant symptoms do not return. Duspatalin ® 135 mg tablets act specifically in the intestines without disrupting the functioning of other organs and systems, therefore they can be used independently in a course 5 . The minimum course of taking the drug is 14 days 4 .

Agree that living with a healthy gut is worth choosing the right course of treatment.

For detailed information on the instructions for use of the drug and the drug itself, follow the link.

Duspatalin ® 135 mg was created for a comprehensive solution to the problem of “irritable” intestines: relieves spasms and pain in the abdomen, and when taken in a course, restores intestinal function 1 .

1. Instructions for medical use of the drug Duspatalin® (Mebeverine 135 mg), film-coated tablets, dated May 24, 2017.

1. Instructions for medical use of the drug Duspatalin® (Mebeverine 135 mg), film-coated tablets, dated May 24, 2017. 2. UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Irritable bowel syndrome in adults: diagnosis and treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in primary healthcare. Clinical guidelines, March 2017

1 1. Pokrovsky V.I. - Encyclopedic Dictionary of Medical Terms, 2005, C565

2 2. Grebenev A. L. Intestinal diseases / A. L. Grebenev, L. P. Myagkova. – M.: Publishing House Medicine, 1994. – 400 p.

3 3. Instructions for medical use of the drug No-shpa ® dated July 23, 2010

4 4. O. N. Minushkin Drug therapy for functional disorders of the intestines and biliary system, occurring predominantly with abdominal pain and flatulence [Electronic resource]. – Access mode: www.paininfo.ru. – (Date of last access: 10/11/17).

5 5. Duspatalin ® 135 mg. About the drug [Electronic resource].. – (Date of last access: 10/11/17).

6 6. Duspatalin ® 135 mg. About the drug [Electronic resource].. – (Date of last access: 10/11/17).

1 1. Minushkin O.N., Elizavetina G.A., Ardatskaya M.D. Drug therapy for functional disorders of the intestines and biliary system, occurring predominantly with abdominal pain and flatulence. Clinical pharmacology and therapy. 2002;1:24-26.

The material was developed with the support of Abbott to improve patient health awareness.
The information in the material does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional. Contact your doctor.

There are a number of problems associated with intestinal colic. First of all, these are gastritis and pancreatic diseases, in which food is not digested properly and enters the intestines in this form. Too cold or can also provoke What to do in such a situation?

First aid for intestinal colic

To get rid of a problem, you must first find out the cause of its occurrence. And to alleviate the patient’s condition until this moment, we can advise the following:

    Place a warm heating pad in the groin area - this will help relieve spasm and relax the muscles somewhat.

    At home, you can use antispasmodic drugs that act mainly on the intestines. In such cases, experts recommend drinking 1-2 tablets of “No-shpa”, washed down with a decoction of mint, 2 tablets of the drug “Platifillin with papaverine”, “Bellalgin” (available in the form of tablets and suppositories). The medicine "Smecta" will help get rid of unpleasant symptoms. The powder packet must be diluted in 100 ml of clean still water. Sometimes an enema (200 ml) with a warm decoction of mint helps. If we are talking about ordinary colic, after the passage of gas and loose stools, the pain will subside.

    It is equally important that after some time, colic in the stomach does not appear again. What should I do for this? It is best to give the intestines a “rest” and refrain from eating for 12 hours. You can drink weak tea without sugar and eat crackers.

    What should you consider before taking medications?

    Doctors strongly do not recommend taking ordinary painkillers for those who are faced with such an unpleasant phenomenon as abdominal colic. What to do if you can’t see a specialist? Antispasmodics are best suited. Analgesics, in turn, can cause problems with making a correct diagnosis. And, in addition, induce a feeling of final recovery. However, getting rid of the symptoms of the problem will not get rid of the problem itself. And in the future, the disease that provoked the appearance of intestinal colic can lead to more serious complications.

    Analgesics are allowed to be taken only in cases where you are 100% sure of the cause of the pain.

    When taking antispasmodics, you should remember that if the pain does not go away within 2 hours, and the cause remains unknown, you must urgently call an ambulance. We have already listed the drugs that will help you in such a situation: these are the medications “No-shpa”, “Smecta”, “Papaverine” and “Bellalgin”. These products can be used for colic of any type.

    Traditional medicine in the fight against intestinal colic

    Speaking about how to treat abdominal colic, you should separately touch on the topic of folk remedies that will help you eliminate painful sensations. Here are a few recipes that have been tested over many generations and are effective in such situations:


    Is it necessary to see a doctor?

    You will feel relief after using medications or home remedies. However, if you do not know why abdominal colic appeared, you need to visit a specialist as soon as possible. Treatment of some diseases accompanied by intestinal colic may require hospitalization and even surgery. Therefore, the sooner you are diagnosed, the more successful and faster the treatment process will be.

    Prevention of intestinal colic

    If you already know how unpleasant this phenomenon is, you should know how to prevent stomach cramps from recurring in the future. What should I do for this? If you encounter such problems quite often, you should adhere to a fairly strict diet. Namely: exclude sweets, smoked foods, fatty, pickled and spicy foods, and carbonated drinks from the menu. In addition, it is important not to overeat.

Stomach or intestinal colic is not an independent disease. Basically, such manifestations are a signal from the body about the course of diseases of the digestive system. Colic manifests itself as intense attacks, which are inherent, the main cause of which is stabbing pain in the stomach, small or large intestine. A number of factors can trigger colic in the stomach. Only a highly qualified doctor, namely a gastroenterologist, can determine the cause of the development of spasm. If you begin to suffer from stomach, intestinal colic and spasms, you should immediately consult a doctor to undergo a full course of examination.

Etiology

Intestinal colic accompanies serious diseases directly related to the abdominal cavity. In some cases, it is impossible to do without surgery. Intestinal colic refers to the concept of acute abdomen, which implies a deep lesion of an organic type or a functional disorder of the digestive system.

Intestinal and stomach colic occur for the following reasons:

Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract

Basically, these are gastritis and ulcers, diseases of the gallbladder and liver, as well as the pancreas. These pathologies occur against the background of severe disturbances in the digestive function. Food that is not completely digested penetrates the intestines, which provokes spasms and pain.

Intestinal infection

The cause of illness may be damage to the body by harmful microorganisms, dysentery bacillus, salmonella and others. When they infect products, the stage of active reproduction begins, accompanied by increased production of toxic substances. When consuming such products, food toxicosis occurs. As for acute intestinal infection, it can be cholera, typhoid fever, salmonellosis, dysentery. Only an infectious disease specialist can detect an infection. This requires tests and instrumental examinations.

Poor nutrition


Intestinal colic is caused by improper, irregular nutrition, consumption of fatty and spicy foods, and dry food. In addition to all this, the cause of bloating and cramps can be stale, too cold or hot food. In some cases, cramps are triggered by a combination of foods that do not go well together.

Poisoning with heavy metals and their salts

Lead is recognized as the most dangerous metal that can negatively affect the body. People who work in chemical, hazardous industries are at risk of poisoning, since there is a gradual effect of toxins on the human body over a long period of time. When lead enters the human body, lead colic begins. It manifests itself as intense spasms and pain, which are localized in the stomach area.

ARVI and influenza


Colds can cause stomach and intestinal colic. The virus affects not only the respiratory center, but also the gastrointestinal tract, settling in the lymph nodes of the peritoneum and contributing to the development of the inflammatory process. The nodes are localized in the small intestine, its mesentery.

Worm infestations

Intestinal obstruction

This disease is very dangerous. It manifests itself in the form of intestinal colic, spasms and cramping pain. Increased gas formation and lack of bowel movements are also observed. Obstruction occurs due to the presence of an adhesive process, stretching of loops or a mechanical obstruction.

Food or medication poisoning

Intestinal syndrome of this type is characterized by a mixed clinical picture. Abdominal colic occurs against the background of profuse diarrhea. A respiratory infection worsens (cough, runny nose, redness and sore throat). The pain syndrome present in the abdominal muscles can become noticeably worse during movements. In this case, consultation with a competent doctor is required.

Pathogenesis


As a rule, stomach and intestinal spasms are acute and intense. They can wax and wane. The pain intensifies rapidly, most often radiating to the groin area.

During palpation of the abdomen there is no muscle tension. The pain syndrome is not short-term; it can last for several days. As for body temperature, it remains within normal limits. Constipation and flatulence develop against the background of pain.

If the patient has an acute stage of gastritis, then such colic is complemented by dyspepsia, namely vomiting, diarrhea, belching, nausea, bloating and heartburn. There is a lack of appetite, weakness and severe apathy, as well as a general deterioration in the patient’s well-being.

If stabbing pain in the abdomen is observed against the background of such a dangerous disease as intestinal obstruction, then the symptoms are complemented by vomiting, nausea, lack of stool and intestinal gas, and a drop in blood pressure. Cold sweat appears and the skin becomes pale. In such a situation, emergency hospitalization and surgery are necessary. Self-medication is prohibited. It is important to urgently call an ambulance and wait for it to arrive.

Classification of pathology

There are several forms and types of colic. One of them is appendicular colic. It is observed during exacerbation of appendicitis, increases rapidly, and is concentrated on the right in the iliac region. The rectal form is accompanied by a painful false urge to defecate. Lead colic, which indicates poisoning with lead salts, is especially dangerous. It is characterized by cramping pain, abdominal tension, body temperature of about 39 degrees, bleeding gums, and gray plaque.

The symptoms of renal colic are characterized by severe pain that radiates to the stomach, groin area and lumbar region, as well as to the genitals. The intensity of the pain syndrome increases sharply during movements and walking. Body temperature rises and blood pressure drops. Normal urination fails, vomiting and nausea develop. At the peak of an exacerbation, a person loses consciousness. The causes of the pathology are pyelonephritis, renal tuberculosis, tumor and urolithiasis.

Pancreatic colic accompanies diseases of the pancreas. There is nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence and excessive gas formation. Initially, the pain is localized in the epigastric region, after which it becomes encircling. Causes: pancreatitis, cancer.

Hepatic colic often occurs. Spasms can be felt in the area of ​​the right hypochondrium. The pain can radiate to the right shoulder blade, as well as the shoulder. There is a bitter taste in the mouth. I am suffering from vomiting mixed with bile. The causes of the pathology are cholelithiasis, as well as acute cholecystitis.

How to improve your condition at home


There can be many causes of stomach pain; until the ambulance arrives, you should not use a heating pad, give an enema or take medications. If your doctor confirms simple colic, you can do the following:

  • take two tablets of No-Shpa, wash down with mint infusion;
  • apply a warm heating pad to the groin to relax the muscles and relieve spasm;
  • do a cleansing enema with mint or lemon balm infusion;
  • if stress is the cause of the attack, you can take sedatives;
  • drink a decoction of immortelle and chamomile;
  • use a rectal suppository containing belladonna or take a Becarbon or Besalon tablet.

After such events, you need to stop eating for twelve hours. You are allowed to drink warm tea with white bread crackers. After this, it is recommended to follow a diet and exclude from the diet foods that can cause excessive gas formation.

Medical therapy


The course of treatment directly depends on the cause of the ailment. If the provocateur is internal pathologies - cholecystitis, stenosis, urolithiasis, pyelonephritis, tumor or hepatitis, treatment of the underlying disease is required. As for stomach and intestinal colic that appears as a result of intestinal infections, urgent hospitalization in the infectious diseases department is necessary. In case of appendicitis, emergency surgery is required.

Powerful antispasmodics - Becarbon, Drotaverine and Notensil - help relieve abdominal pain. For first aid, an injection of Diphenhydramine, Papaverine or Atropine is prescribed. After the pain is eliminated, the patient is under the supervision of medical personnel. Against the background of toxic infection, antibiotic therapy is prescribed: Levomycetin and Gentamicin. Antiseptics help well - Furazolidone, Biseptol. If the case is severe, then you cannot do without intravenous infusion of glucose and vitamins, blood plasma, and saline solutions. When the cause is ARVI or flu, you need to take a vitamin complex, activated carbon and powerful antispasmodics.

It is not advisable to fight colic on your own, as it can worsen the course of the disease. You need to seek medical help to avoid complications.

Nutrition correction

To get rid of stabbing pain in the stomach, you need to change your diet. To do this, it is advisable to consume balanced products containing useful and nutritious elements. It is necessary to eat about five to six times a day in small portions so as not to burden the inflamed stomach. It is recommended to eat porridge, light soups, purees, vitamins, boiled vegetables, pureed fruits.


Fermented milk products provide particular benefits. It is advisable to add a drink such as milk to coffee and tea. It is important that all dairy products have a low fat content. You can consume no more than 3 thousand calories per day. Introduce olive oil into your diet, as it has a healing effect. Nutritionists strongly advise drinking still mineral water, herbal teas and decoctions.

Nutrition principles:

  • last meal two hours before bedtime;
  • do not starve, but also do not overeat;
  • chew food slowly and thoroughly;
  • eat in small portions;
  • food should be warm, but in no case hot or cold;
  • It is forbidden to eat fried, hot, spicy, salty, sour foods.

In addition, the following are prohibited: carbonated drinks, legumes, mushrooms, sweets, fresh baked goods, canned food, sausages and sausages.

If the stomach colitis, then antibiotics are prescribed for treatment; they are taken according to strict instructions so as not to cause harm to the body. The minimum course of treatment is fourteen days. The doctor can then prescribe re-therapy by prescribing pills, injections, diet and appropriate exercises. When prescribing a diet, you need to take into account the individual characteristics of the patient, identify concomitant pathologies, and pay special attention to age-related changes.

Stitching pain in the stomach can be a consequence of poor nutrition, stress and fear, or may indicate a serious illness that requires urgent treatment. If you are bothered by unpleasant and stabbing sensations, as well as other symptoms, it is better to consult a doctor.

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