Intestinal colic - causes, symptoms, therapy and home remedies

Painful cramping of the intestinal musculature

Anyone who suffers from convulsive abdominal pain, which is most likely an intestinal colic. The complaint may indicate many gastrointestinal health problems, although not all of them are worrying, but some require urgent medical attention. Decisive in the assessment of abdominal cramps are often possible accompanying symptoms.

contents

• Painful cramping of the intestinal musculature
• What is a colic??
• Development of convulsive pain in the intestinal area
• Causes of intestinal colic
• diagnosis
• Treatment for intestinal colic
• nutritional intervention
• Kräuterapotheke
• Home remedies and self-help with intestinal colic

What is a colic??

The term "colic" is derived from the Latin word colicus, which translates to "affecting the gut". However, in view of the different forms of colic, the name is very misleading. Because in addition to the gastrointestinal tract, a colic may arise in other abdominal organs, including the

• kidney,
• bile,
• pancreas,
• bladder,
• uterus
• and vas deferens.

Colic usually develops in the colon. This is part of the colon and is located between the cecum and rectum. (Image: Henrie / fotolia.com)

Most commonly, however, the spasmodic pain actually arises in the colon (Colon). He is in the middle of colon (Intestinum crassum), between appendix (Cecum) and rectum (Rectum) localized and is responsible for the absorption of water and electrolytes from the porridge. Muscle contractions play a very important role in this digestive process, because only through an appropriate contraction behavior of the intestinal muscles, also known as peristalsis, The intestinal contents in the colon can be carefully filtered.

Development of convulsive pain in the intestinal area

An intestinal colic arises when the intestinal musculature is disturbed in its natural contraction movements. This always happens when resistance or blockade hinders the muscular activity of the intestine. The pain of such a colic differs from ordinary abdominal pain in that it has a labor-like, convulsive character.

Responsible for the spasms in this regard is the fact that the intestinal muscles in colic painful stimuli in shock wave intervals. It also happens that colicky pains usually alternate with periods of complete absence of pain, from which a painful intensity develops at intervals. The resulting painful pains of a colic can become almost unbearable for patients before they abruptly abate again.

Causes of intestinal colic

Painful cramps of the intestinal musculature can be caused by various causes. Possible triggers of intestinal colic, for example

• Blähsucht,
• chronic constipation,
• Intestinal blockages (for example due to foreign bodies or ulcers),
• chronic inflammatory bowel disease,
• Strahlencolitis,
• Food intolerances,
• allergies,
• poisoning,
• stress,
• biliousness,
• a gastritis (gastritis)
• or gastrointestinal inflammation (gastroenteritis).

Intestinal colic caused by indigestion

Abdominal pain, such as those associated with short-term bloating, does not usually cause colic. The situation is different with chronic indigestion, which in fact means a heavy burden on intestinal peristalsis. Thus, the permanent gas accumulations of a Blähsucht (Meteorism), for example, affect the natural movements of the intestinal muscles by abnormal mass demands in the intestine.

The same applies to chronic constipation (Constipation), which adds to the muscles of the intestine through space-demanding blockages. In this context, too Debris blockages (for example, by swallowed items) as a possible cause of colic due to indigestion.

Is about diarrhea (Diarrhea) in connection with intestinal colic, so rarely is the digestive complaint itself, but rather the underlying diarrheal disease responsible for the colic. Very often inflammation or infections of the intestine can be identified as the cause of both diarrhea and colic.

Those who eat very high-fat foods often have an increased risk of indigestion. (Photo: exclusive-design / fotolia.com)

Diet and intestinal colic

An overriding role in numerous indigestion play nutritional aspects. In particular, the long-term consumption of fatty foods favors not only heavy bloating and constipation but also an increased risk of colic. And in two ways. Basically, bile acid must be produced in the liver for fat digestion, which is then released through the bile ducts to the intestine. An increased bile production as a result of fatty nutrition therefore also ensures an increased bile acid level in the intestine and in the bile itself. Due to the strong acidity it is not uncommon in both digestive organs to inflammatory irritation, which then manifest as biliary or intestinal colic.

Caution, danger of confusion: If gallstones cause a colic, it is often mistakenly interpreted as an intestinal colic. The situation is similar in the case of menstrual disorders in the uterus, which can also cause spasmodic abdominal pain!

Diet-related intestinal colic can also be triggered by food intolerances. Incidentally, this does not only include food allergies such as lactose intolerance or intolerance to food additives such as glutamate, but also food poisoning.

A poisoning (Intoxication) can arise on the one hand by germ contamination of consumed foods, such as bacteria or parasites. On the other hand, residues of environmental contaminants in the diet, for example by sprays or industrial waste, may be the cause of colic-causing food poisoning.

Speaking of poisoning: Intoxication through the direct consumption or other absorption of toxic substances in the body is of course also a conceivable reason for intestinal colic. From cleaning agents to metal toxins to pollutants in the air, there are innumerable poisoning sources in this regard.

Colic as a warning sign of intestinal inflammation

Especially dangerous are intestinal colic as a signal of inflammatory bowel disease. These can occur in many forms, with the Colitis (Colitis) is probably one of the common causes of colic. It can arise from a number of different causes and be either acute or chronic.

Inflammations of this kind usually initially affect the intestinal mucosa (mucosa). The delicate protective lining of the intestine is equipped with a variety of fine muscles, nerves, blood vessels and enzyme glands and is responsible for the uptake of the nutrient components of dissolved nutrients.

Caution: colic can indicate an inflammatory bowel disease. (Image: absolutimages / fotolia.com)

An inflammation of the intestinal mucous membranes may already affect the muscle functionality of the intestine, but at the beginning usually causes only slight abdominal pain. Heavy colic usually occurs only when inflammatory processes have already partially decomposed the intestinal mucosa and spread to the intestinal walls behind. They also have numerous muscle, nerve and vascular structures, which, unlike the resorbing intestinal mucosa, are directly involved in the development of intestinal peristalsis.

Intestinal colic in the course of intestinal inflammation therefore always indicate an advanced course of the disease and occur especially during the digestive process or after food intake. In addition, if the chronic intestinal inflammation is still not treated, it may also lead to intestinal bleeding. Other accompanying symptoms of an intestinal inflammation are

• bloating,
• diarrhea
• and faecal incontinence.

One possible form of colon inflammation is Ulcerative colitis. The chronic inflammation of the intestinal mucosa is usually favored by an interaction of three factors, namely

• Genetic weaknesses of the intestinal flora,
• Infection in the field of intestinal flora
• and gut-weakening environmental influences.

A certain amount of bacteria in the intestine is actually normal. Various microorganisms, including eukaryotes, Escherichia coli bacteria and some streptococcus species, occur naturally in the intestinal flora and are involved in the decomposition process of the food. In health conditions such as stress or congenital intestinal weaknesses, however, the composition of intestinal bacteria and Co. is sensitive from balance. There is an overpopulation of the microorganisms, which leads to infection-related inflammation.

In the case of ulcerative colitis, the environmental factors include not only stress but also unfavorable dietary habits and hygiene standards. Too hot food that irritates the intestinal mucosa through its aggressive components, as well as germ-susceptible food increase the risk of a disturbed intestinal flora and thus the risk of inflammation. In the worst case grows from an initial intestinal inflammation so a gastrointestinal ulcer, which is also favored by the way also by stress.

Another well-known, chronic inflammatory colitis variant is Crohn's disease. Similar to ulcerative colitis it is favored by the combined influence of genetic and environmental factors, which contribute to a weakened intestinal flora and thus to an increased risk of inflammation of the intestinal mucosa.

In the treatment of colorectal cancer is beyond the Strahlenkolitis a serious complication during the treatment. Apart from the therapeutic irradiation of tumors, this colon inflammation can also be caused by radioactively contaminated working or living environment.

Gastrointestinal infections as a cause of colic

Rarer leads one gastritis (Gastritis) or Enteritis (Enteritis) to a colonic intestine. Again, an inflammation of the mucous membranes plays a crucial role in the development of muscle spasms. An increased risk of colic exists when both forms of inflammation combined as Gastrointestinal inflammation (Gastroenteritis) occur. The disease is also known colloquially as gastrointestinal infection or gastrointestinal influenza because it is largely caused by infectious agents.

A gastrointestinal inflammation can be caused for example by Campylobacter bacteria. (Image: Kateryna_Kon / fotolia.com)

The list of pathogens that can lead to gastroenteritis is long. From viruses to bacteria to parasites and unicellular organisms many causes are conceivable. among the most common pathogens include:

• Campylobacter
• Clostridium
• enterococci
• Escherichia coli
• salmonellae
• Shigella
• staphylococci
• streptococci
• Yersinia
• adenoviruses
• noroviruses
• rotavirus
• amoebas
• Giardia

A gastrointestinal infection can be triggered in different ways. While some infectious agents in the course of a Food poisoning through contaminated food into the gastrointestinal tract, other germs are more likely to be transmitted by contact contact infection or droplet infection. Common to the infection variants, however, is the lack of hygiene (for example in the processing of food or in everyday life) plays an important role.

What irritates the intestine in case of gastrointestinal infections to colic, are the toxic excretory products of the infectious agents. Once in the intestine, most of them feed on the nutrients present in the intestine or porridge. Their degradation products then carry poisonous toxins that attack the intestinal mucosa and intestinal walls. The incubation period until the onset of the first symptoms can last between 4 hours and 2 days depending on the type and transmission path of the pathogens. However, the symptoms are almost always the same and include intestinal colic and loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.

Warning: The severe diarrhea caused by a gastrointestinal infection can cause severe fluid dehydration!

diagnosis

In addition to the standard patient survey, in which existing symptoms and possible pre-existing conditions are discussed, the diagnosis of intestinal colic is first and foremost an imaging examination. Among others, ultrasound and X-ray examinations are conceivable. MRI and CT can also be used. To more accurately assess the condition of the intestinal mucosa and intestinal walls, physicians also often perform colonoscopy. Laboratory examinations, for example in the form of blood tests or stool samples for the detection of infectious agents and intestinal bleeding, are also added in case of specific suspicion.

Treatment for intestinal colic

Apart from the disease-oriented treatment, which often requires a drug treatment of the underlying disease in intestinal colic, numerous measures can be taken to tackle the painful cramps. Natural medicine offers a wealth of reliable herbs here. Likewise, alternative medical therapy offers and diet changes can help.

drugs

Gastrointestinal infections must always be treated with antibiotics to be able to treat intestinal colic permanently. Also anti-inflammatory and analgesic preparations are usually prescribed to prevent the cramp-inducing interference on the intestinal muscles.

nutritional intervention

Patients with bowel colic should abstain especially from flatulent, daring and spicy dishes. Also additives should be avoided, which applies in addition to processed foods in particular for soft drinks. In addition, drinks such as coffee, black tea and alcohol also promote colic. Instead, it makes sense to resort to water and unsweetened teas.

Sufficient drinking is especially important in this context, if in addition to the colic also diarrheal symptoms are recorded. Here, the strong fluid loss must be compensated by at least 2 to 3 l of fluid intake per day to prevent internal dehydration, which can quickly reach threatening levels, especially in young patients.

Important is a gastro-friendly diet with low-fat meat or fish, mild side dishes and steamed vegetables. (Image: rainbow33 / fotolia.com)

For a gentle and intestine-friendly diet, intestinal colic is primarily suitable for easily digestible soups and sauces, vegetable purees and oatmeal. Even low-fat meats such as chicken or turkey breast, low-fat steamed fish and crabs can be tolerated in some circumstances, which depends on the individual case and the underlying disease.

Rice, noodles and gently cooked vegetables (for example, potatoes, fennel or carrots) are the mild side dishes. Oil must be used very sparingly in the preparation of all mentioned foods in order not to strain the already overburdened digestive tract with excessive fat digestion.

Be careful when choosing fruits and vegetables! Although vegetables are always a good choice, a distinction has to be made between easily digestible and flatulent vegetables, especially in cases of intestinal colic. Cabbage and legumes are unsuitable in this regard. In the field of fruit varieties, citrus fruits and other high-acid fruits (such as kiwis) could exacerbate colic. To prefer are therefore fruit variants such as bananas or floury apples.

If a food allergy is involved in the intestinal cramps, an allergy test is recommended to find out which food components cause the spasm. Milk, soya and cereal products are often critical in this context.

Useful information: Dairy products may interfere with lactose intolerance for calming the intestine. However, especially in childhood, probiotic yoghurts help successfully in the treatment of colic and other diseases affecting the bowel. Because microbiotic foods rebalance the intestinal flora, they have been recommended in the past for numerous indigestion such as flatulence, constipation or irritable bowel syndrome. In 2017, a study also provided specific recommendations for probiotics in the treatment of intestinal diseases.

Kräuterapotheke

Especially useful in intestinal colic all sorts of different herbs, because the nature is against gastrointestinal discomfort prepared a variety of herbal remedies. Starting with kitchen herbs such as aniseed, dill and cumin on tea herbs such as barberry, yellow gentian, St. John's wort, chamomile and ribwort, to healing-promoting cereals such as oats or flaxseed, there are many options to relieve colic.

Oats and flaxseed can not only boil up to mucus, which is known to have pain and cramp-reducing effect. Also as an adjunct for mild yoghurts (as long as dairy products are tolerated), the cereals are a wonderful nutritional supplement as part of a colic-related diet.

Tip: Some help with intestinal colic also a soothing herbal bath or warming belly wrap with herbal supplements.

Home remedies and self-help with intestinal colic

In the field of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is also used to treat intestinal colic. This is especially true for cases of intestinal colic, in which stress plays a major role. In general, everyday and emotional stress should be kept as low as possible or conscientiously eliminated during therapy. A calm and orderly everyday planning and regular breaks are just as important as targeted relaxation methods, such as yoga, meditation or sound therapy.

Regular walks in the fresh air can also provide additional relaxation. Who continues to suffer from mental stress, which is also a talk therapy and a relaxation therapy under professional guidance suggested. (Ma)