| | | | Other Names | | | Colicy, Colicky, Infant Colic, Baby Colic, Three Month Colic, Infantile
Colic.
View products | | | Also known as: Abdominal Pain (Infants)
Colic is
generally used to describe an attack of spasmodic pain in the
abdomen.
Simple colic often results from the build-up of
indigestible material in the alimentary tract, leading to spasmodic
contractions in the muscular lining. Other causes include habitual
constipation, with accumulation of faecal material; and as an
accompaniment of neurological disorders. Major risks include sudden
obstruction of the bowel from twisting, intussusception, or because of a
tumor or similar condition.
Lead colic (also known as painter's
colic, colica Pictonum, Devonshire colic, dry belly-ache) is due to the
absorption of lead into the system.
Biliary colic and renal colic
are the terms applied to that violent pain which is produced, in the one
case where a biliary calculus or gallstone passes down from the
gallbladder into the intestine, and in the other where a renal calculus
descends from the kidney along the ureter into the bladder.
Treatment
This consists of means to relieve the spasmodic pain with
warmth and analgesics, and removal where possible, of the underlying
cause.
Colic is a common problem in infants, where the baby is
healthy but has periods of inconsolable crying, apparently caused by
abdominal pain. Colic usually develops within a few weeks of birth and
disappears by the baby's fourth month.
What are the symptoms of
colic? Colic may cause infants, typically less than four months old, to
cry inconsolably. The attacks usually occur in the late afternoon and
evening, sometimes lasting for hours. During a colicky period, babies may
bring their knees up, clench their fists, grimace, hold their breath, and
generally be more active.
Conventional treatment options: The
conventional treatment is to provide comfort for the babies until they
outgrow this difficult period. Sometimes, anti-gas medicine containing
simethicone (e.g., Di-Gelr, Myliconr, Phazymer) helps to reduce symptoms.
Feeding babies while they are sitting up or burping them more frequently
may help prevent colic if too much air is being swallowed during
feedings.
Dietary changes that may be helpful: Allergies may be
responsible for colic in some infants.1 2 If the child is fed with
formula, the problem may be an intolerance to milk proteins from a cows'
milk-based formula.3 Switching to a soy formula may ease colic in such
cases.4 Infants who are sensitive to both milk and soy may be given a
hypoallergenic formula containing extensively hydrolyzed proteins.
However, some children are sensitive even to these formulas.
A true
food protein intolerance in infants may result in persistent distress
attributed to irritation of the esophagus caused by reflux (partial
spitting up). These infants may respond to an amino acid-based formula. In
a clinical trial, infants who were intolerant of soy and extensively
hydrolyzed formula, and who had failed to respond to various formula
changes, were switched to an amino-acid formula (Neocate).5 After two
weeks, all the infants receiving the amino acid-based formula showed less
distressed behavior and fewer symptoms of reflux.
If a baby is
breast-fed, certain foods in the mother's diet may provoke an allergic
reaction in the baby. Cows' milk consumed by a breast-feeding mother has
been shown in some,6 but not all,7 studies to trigger colic. Cows' milk
proteins, which may trigger allergic reactions, have been found at higher
levels in milk from breast-feeding mothers with colicky infants than in
milk from mothers with non-colicky infants.8 Changing to a low-allergenic
formula or restricting the mother's diet to exclude certain
allergy-triggering foods significantly reduced colic symptoms in the
infants in one double-blind trial. 9 A healthcare provider can help
determine which foods eaten by breast-feeding mothers may be contributing
to colic.
Lifestyle changes that may be helpful: All infants,
particularly those with colic, need to be fed on demand and not by a
specific clock schedule. Often a baby's cry is triggered by discomfort
caused by low blood sugar. Unlike adults, infants do not have a carefully
regulated ability to maintain healthy blood sugar levels in the absence of
food. This physiological shortcoming of infants can be solved only by
feeding on demand.
In one trial, parents were taught not to let
babies cry unnecessarily but rather to attempt feeding right away in
response to the infant's cry.10 If that failed, parents were taught to try
to respond to the cry in other ways, such as holding the infant or
providing the opportunity to sleep. These parents were also given the
solid medical advice that overfeeding is never caused by feeding on demand
nor will the baby be "spoiled" by such an approach. As a result of this
intervention, colic was dramatically (and statistically significantly)
reduced, compared with a group of mothers given different
instructions.
Herbs that may be helpful: Carminatives are a class
of herbs commonly used for infants with colic. These herbs tend to relax
intestinal spasms.
Chamomile is a carminative with long history of
use as a calming herb and may be used to ease intestinal cramping in
colicky infants. A soothing tea made from chamomile, vervain, licorice,
fennel, and lemon balm has been shown to relieve colic more effectively
than placebo.11 In this study, approximately 1/2 cup (150 ml) of tea was
given during each colic episode up to a maximum of three times per
day.
Hyssop has mild sedative properties and may also be helpful in
relieving colic, but research is lacking. Though no definitive information
on hyssop supplementation is available, 1 teaspoon of hyssop herb steeped
in 1 cup of just-boiled water in a closed container for 15 to 20 minutes,
then given in sips from a bottle over a period of 2 to 3 hours may help
calm colic.
Caraway, like chamomile and fennel, relieves intestinal
cramping and, in this way, may ease symptoms of colic. One tablespoon (15
grams) of caraway seed is mixed with 8 oz (240 ml) of just-boiled water
and steeped in a closed container for at least 10 minutes. Three ounces of
vegetable glycerin is added, and the resulting mixture is stored in a
bottle in the refrigerator. Up to 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) of the liquid may
be given every 30 minutes to a colicky infant or given 15 minutes before
feeding.12
Several other gas-relieving herbs used in traditional
medicine for colic are approved in Germany for intestinal spasms.13 These
include yarrow, garden angelica (Angelica archangelica),peppermint,
cinnamon, and fumitory (Fumaria officinalis). These herbs are generally
given by healthcare professionals as teas or decoctions to the infant.
Peppermint tea should be used with caution in infants and young children,
as they may choke in reaction to the strong menthol.
Are there any
side effects or interactions? Refer to the individual herb for information
about any side effects or interactions.
Other integrative
approaches that may be helpful: The symptoms of colic may be linked to
mild biomechanical disturbances of the spinal joints and may respond to
manipulation. A large, preliminary study of infants treated by
chiropractic manipulation for colic reported marked improvement, often
after one treatment.14 This echoed an earlier study in which
questionnaires sent to parents of 132 infants under chiropractic care
revealed that 91% of the respondents observed improvement in their babies'
symptoms after two to three manipulations.15 In a controlled trial,
infants were treated daily for two weeks either with a placebo medication
or with a series of three to five treatments using gentle "fingertip"
spinal manipulations.16 Those treated with manipulation experienced a 67%
reduction in daily hours of colic, compared with only a 38% reduction in
infants on medication.
References:
1. Sampson HA.
Infantile colic and food allergy: fact or fiction? J Pediatr
1989;115:583-4.
2. Hill DJ, Hosking CS, Heine RG. Clinical spectrum
of food allergy in children in Australia and South-East Asia:
identification and targets for treatment. Ann Med 1999;31:272-81.
3. Lothe L, Lindberg T. Cow's milk whey protein elicits symptoms of
infantile colic in colicky formula-fed infants: a double-blind crossover
study. Pediatr 1989;83(2):262-6.
4. Lothe L, Lindberg T, Jakobsson
I. Cow's milk formula as a cause of infantile colic: a double-blind study.
Pediatr 1982;70(1):7-10.
5. Hill DJ, Heine RG, Cameron DJ, et al.
Role of food protein intolerance in infants with persistent distress
attributed to reflux esophagitis. J Pediatr 2000;136:641-7.
6.
Jakobsson I, Lindberg T. Cow's milk proteins cause infantile colic in
breast-fed infants: a double-blind crossover study. Pediatr
1983;71(2):268-71.
7. Evans RW, Fergusson DM, Allardyce RA, et al.
Maternal diet and infantile colic in breast-fed infants. Lancet
1981;49:1340-2.
8. Clyne PS, Kulczycki A. Human breast milk
contains bovine IgG. Relationship to infant colic? Pediatr
1991;87:439-44.
9. Hill DJ, Hudson IL, Sheffield LJ, et al. A low
allergen diet is a significant intervention in infantile colic: results of
a community-based study. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1995;96:886-92.
10.
Taubman B. Clinical trial of the treatment of colic by modification of
parent-infant interaction. Pediatr 1984;74:998-1003.
11. Weizman Z,
Alkrinawi S, Goldfarb D, et al. Efficacy of herbal tea preparation in
infantile colic. J Pediatr 1993;122:650-2.
12. Bove M. An
Encyclopedia of Natural Healing for Children and Infants. New Canaan, CT:
Keats Publishing, 1996:106.
13. Schilcher H. Phytotherapy in
Paediatrics. Stuttgart: Medpharm Scientific Publishers, 1997,
80.
14. Klugart N, Nilsson N, Jacobsen J. Infantile colic treated
by chiropractors: a prospective study of 316 cases. J Manip Physiol Ther
1989;12:281-8.
15. Nilsson N. Infant colic and chiropractic. Eur J
Chir 1985;33:264-5.
16. Wiberg JM, Nordsteen J, Nilsson N. The
short term effect of spinal manipulation in the treatment of infantile
colic: a randomized controlled clinical trial with a blinded observer. J
Manip Physiol Ther 1999;22:517-22.
Source: NOW Foods
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Please Note: This Traditional Use information is provided as a courtesy only. The products indicated above may be listed in error. This information is based on Traditional and Folklore Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA and is not based on scientific evidence from any source. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
| | 25 total products | | | Colic (Read all about Colic.) | |
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Colic - Health - Echinacea Extract (8:1 Extract) - 2000 mg 60 softgels Fortify Your Immune System and Bodily Defenses!
12.01 US More Info
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Colic - Health - Echinacea Herb - 500 mg 60 capsules
9.19 US More Info
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Colic - Health - Echinacea Herb - 500 mg 120 capsules
16.26 US In Stock - Ships Today! More Info
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Colic - Health - EchinaMax Echinacea Herb Tincture - Natural Flavor 1.70 oz / 48 g
8.25 US More Info
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Colic - Health - EchinaMax Echinacea Goldenseal Herb Tincture 1 oz / 28 g
10.32 US More Info
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Colic - Health - EchinaMax Echinacea and Zinc Throat Spray - Cherry Flavor 1 oz / 28 g
7.49 US More Info
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Colic - Health - EchinaMax Echinacea - 2500 mg 60 capsules
12.20 US More Info
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Colic - Health - Echinacea Angustifolia - 500 mg (Standardized Potency 4% Echinacosides) 60 softgels
15.97 US In Stock - Ships Today! More Info
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Colic - Health - Zinc and Echinacea Lozenges - with Golden Seal Root, Ginseng and Vitamin C 100 mg - 295 mg 60 lozenges
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Colic - Health - Echinacea Tincture Triple Blend / Strength - Alcohol-Free 1.70 oz / 48 g
19.41 US More Info
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Colic - Health - Echinacea Extract Blend - Angustifolia & Purpurea - Alcohol-Free 1.70 oz / 48 g
19.22 US More Info
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Colic - Health - Echinacea and Goldenseal Tincture - Angustifolia & Purpurea - Alcohol-Free 1.70 oz / 48 g
18.47 US More Info
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