Archive for the ‘Colic’ Category

What You Need To Know About Renal Colic

Friday, October 29th, 2010

The more you understand about any subject, the more interesting it becomes. As you read this article you’ll find that the subject of Colic is certainly no exception.

Renal colic is a type of pain that can be commonly caused by developing kidney stones. The pain usually starts around the kidney area or somewhere below it and can radiate through the flank until the pain reaches the bladder. The pain can be colicky in nature which means that it can come in irregular waves or intervals as opposed to being a steady continuous pain feeling.

Renal colic may come in two types: dull and acute. The acute type of renal colic is particularly the most unpleasant and has been described by sufferers as one of the strongest pain sensations felt. The pain may also depend on the type and size of the kidney stone or stones that move through the urinal tract. Depending on the situation, the pain may at times be stronger in the renal or bladder area or it can be equally strong in both. Larger stones may require medical intervention for their removal in order to get rid of the pain associated with it.

Renal colic also shows some particular signs and symptoms that can help alert the individual as well as the doctor. These symptoms usually refer to the different types symptoms experienced by patients as studied. Some may or may not be experienced by the patient and all of the symptoms may not even be evident which depend on the current condition of the patient.

Some patients of renal colic may experience severe urinary pain. They may also have difficulty passing urine due to the kidney stones blocking the path. Patients may also fell waves of pain coming from the back and radiating to the abdomen, genitals and thighs. Pain in the small of the back can also be experienced. Renal colic may also be associated with symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.

See how much you can learn about Colic when you take a little time to read a well-researched article? Don’t miss out on the rest of this great information.

Renal colic patients may also show signs of having a swollen abdomen that may be causing the intense pain being felt. Other renal colic symptoms that have been observed by doctors include fever and chills. Serious symptoms of renal colic may also include blood being found in the urine which may show that the kidney stones may already have wounded parts of the urinary tract.

In most cases, renal colic may go away on its own. Most of the small stones in the kidney or bladder easily pass spontaneously through the urinary tract and may be discharged naturally. In such cases, only pain management for renal colic is required. In order to relieve this type of pain, a strong Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, also commonly known as NSAID can be used. NSAID’s are known to provide better pain relief than most opiate-based medication.

There are also other ways of dealing with the pain associated with renal colic. Trying to lie down on the non-aching side of the body and applying a hot water bottle or towel into the area affected by the pain may greatly help ease some of the pain. If the pain caused by renal colic is not that intense, frequent walking may help result in a more speedy release of the stones.

But if the kidney stones have become too large to effectively pass through naturally, surgery to remove them may be required. If not, patients may continue to feel the recurring pain which may not be relieved effectively by other measures.

When word gets around about your command of Colic facts, others who need to know about Colic will start to actively seek you out.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

Facts about Intestinal colic

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010

In today’s world, it seems that almost any topic is open for debate. While I was gathering facts for this article, I was quite surprised to find some of the issues I thought were settled are actually still being openly discussed.

Colic in babies can be something that just relegated as part of the development process and the hardships of child caring; but in horses, it is a different thing. Colic in horses is an emergency case. In fact, this is one of the worst nightmares of horse lovers and horse owners. This is because despite treatment, most horses will not get better, especially those who do not respond to therapy so well.

Colic is a term used to refer to abdominal pain that results from problems in the digestive organs and system. Often, colic is caused by obstructions and impactions in organs such as liver, intestines, bladder, uterus, ovaries and kidneys. Colic can also be associated with the stimulation of the nerve endings within the intestinal walls.

Other sources of pain are distentions in bowel movements. Intestinal colic may also be the result of inflammations in some parts of the body, impactions and twistings. It may also arise from rectal problems brought on by trauma in breeding in mares, manipulation of the rectum as well as some neurologic disease. Strangulations caused by lipoma may also cause intestinal colic.

The gastro-intestinal tract is made up of a series of parts appended in one long tube. The esophagus itself, where the food starts to go down, is three feet long. This empties to the stomach and then to the small intestine, which is 72 feet long. This may seem quite long when you imagine it inside the body of a horse; it does not extend straight out but are placed in stacks with twists and turns. This is perhaps the reason why problems in the intestine are so common in horses. Unlike in humans, horses have narrower tubes, which make it more likely for them to develop obstructions and impactions in these areas.

So far, we’ve uncovered some interesting facts about Colic. You may decide that the following information is even more interesting.

And because they have no way of relieving the pressures in their stomach and abdomen such as with vomiting, their pain tends to build up until, the pain is just too much for them to bear. Problems in small intestines tend to be more common in the southeast parts of the country than the other areas. Often, this is the consequence of feeding horses with Bermuda grass hay that is most common in those parts.

Some of those affected may respond to therapy. They are given conservative therapy as treatment. Others, whose cases are more severe, may need surgical interventions to treat their problems. The challenge for doctors is to know the difference between those who needs interventions and those who need surgery.

Often, severe cases wherein obstructions cannot be removed without the help of a surgeon’s hands will have to undergo surgeries. Examples of these cases are those that have displacement or torsions in various parts of the intestines and those with small incarcerations in the intestines.

Below are some signs that surgery is already needed to treat intestinal colic: severe pain in the abdominal areas, rectal remains that are not normally seen, and long durations of painful episodes despite medical therapy.

Surgeries done to treat intestinal colic may be categorized as complicated or uncomplicated, depending on the severity of the problem and how the body responds to other means of treatment. If for instance, the bowel has adequate blood supply, the problem can be corrected without going through a complicated process. Otherwise, segments will have to removed and examined.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

Treatment for Equine Colic

Wednesday, October 20th, 2010

If you have even a passing interest in the topic of Colic, then you should take a look at the following information. This enlightening article presents some of the latest news on the subject of Colic.

Animals are prone to various diseases. Some of these may leave permanent damage while others are fatal. One example, which could go either way, is equine colic. This happens when the horse experiences pain in the abdomen and things can get worse if medical attention is not administered immediately.

If the doctor has not arrived yet, the person can do certain things, which can help in the treatment. This includes taking the temperature and monitoring the heart rate, recalling what kind of food was given the past few days as well as the water consumption and checking the color of the gums.

The veterinarian may be on call elsewhere so until help arrives, no food must be given to the horse. It will also be a good idea to walk the animal so it will not think about the pain. If the creature does not want to get up but it still continues to roll on the ground, everyone should help out and transfer the horse elsewhere so it does not inflict any damage to itself or others.

The doctor will usually give the horse some antibiotics. This will help ease the pain and it is a wait and see game after that to see if there are any improvements. Some horses recover quickly while there are those that don’t so this really depends on the animal.

There are other experts who have a natural treatment formula to treat equine colic. Instead of using drugs, herbs are used instead. Some examples of these are cape aloe leaf, ginger root, fennel, wild yam root and cayenne powder. This is mixed together with water or some alcoholic formula and then given to the horse.

Prevention of course is still the best way against any disease. This is because the cost of medicine and the professional fees of a doctor are quite expensive. Here are a few things that horse owners should do to prevent equine colic.

Once you begin to move beyond basic background information, you begin to realize that there’s more to Colic than you may have first thought.

1. First, the person should watch the food being served to the horse. Processed grains from a reliable supplier are ideal when raising such a magnificent animal. Some people think that hay is ok but it may have bugs or other foreign objects, which could cause problems. This should be checked before this is given.

2. Aside from checking for foreign objects in the hay, the individual should also have a parasite control program. This will make sure the stable is clean at all times even if this is washed thoroughly several times a week.

3. Horses need plenty of exercise to stay fit. A short ride or simply walking with it for a few minutes everyday can help strengthen its immune system. It will also need adequate rest. There must be time given to the horse to just roam around or just lie still in the stable.

4. All multivitamins or drugs that will be given to the horse must first be examined by the vet. This is because some may make the animal sick especially if it has a sensitive digestive system.

5. The person should also make sure the horse practices proper hygiene. This means giving it a bath and brushing its teeth since deposits may soon become infections that could get worse if nothing is done to treat it.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

Knowing how to treat colic

Sunday, October 17th, 2010

This article explains a few things about Colic, and if you’re interested, then this is worth reading, because you can never tell what you don’t know.

If your baby is onto a different level of crying or showing signs of chronic irritability, then the infant might probably be suffering from a severe abdominal pain caused by spasm, obstruction, or distention of any of the hollow viscera?such as the intestines?called “colic.”

Known to occur at the early stages of infancy, colic is characterized in varying levels of severity. Since this is caused by gas trapped within the intestines or spasms of new intestines, most babies experience extreme discomfort and can even develop serious digestive problems if not paid proper attention.

ALL ABOUT COLIC

Colic refers to the extreme end of normal crying behavior of babies with ages 3 weeks up to 3 months or from 6 to 8 weeks of age. Experts say that the amount of the baby’s crying can be at varying levels and can be generally diagnosed as colic when a baby but cries extremely and excessively for more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, of for more than 3 weeks.

Research shows that colic generally results from a combination of an infant’s sensitive temperament, environment, and immature nervous system. These factors can easily make a baby cry and can be difficult to stop once the period started. Experts say that colic is Norman and is not usually related to serious health conditions like digestion problems. It can only lead to this if the baby develops intolerance to cow’s milk protein, fructose, and transmission of medication by-products during breastfeeding.

Colic can be characterized in newborn babies if they show abnormally irritable attitude or cries for no apparent reason. Aside from crying vigorously for long periods despite your consoling efforts, colic can also be distinguished when the baby shows signs of gas discomfort or abdominal bloating, has a hard and swollen stomach, knees pulled to the chest, clenched fists, flailing arms and legs, an arched back, and experiences frequent sleeplessness, irritability and fussiness.

If you base what you do on inaccurate information, you might be unpleasantly surprised by the consequences. Make sure you get the whole Colic story from informed sources.

Usual symptoms of colic include extreme discomfort in a baby’s tummy due to unreleased abdominal gas, but serious symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or blood or mucus in the stool are not. If you notice these symptoms, he or she might be suffering from a more serious digestive problem that needs immediate medical attention.

TREATING COLIC

When a baby starts to suffer from colic, he or she can be very difficult to console. For parents, especially to those first timers, colic can leave a feeling of guilt, frustration, exhaustion, confusion, and inadequacy because of the periods of distress brings to both of you. If you’re baby experiences colic and you would want to treat it, there are several options available for you. But make sure that that you visit your pediatrician or doctor first before giving your child any treatment options such as medication, remedy, or supplement.

Since colic is common to babies, experts say that several measures can be done at hospital or even at home. Colic treatment at home may include the use of a pacifier, gently rocking the infant using a rocking chair or lap, massaging the infant’s abdomen or back, ensuring a quiet and non-stimulating environment when colic period begins, changing the baby’s diet and feeding techniques especially in breastfeeding and playing relaxing music.

If you want to seek medical treatment, make sure that you visit your doctor first to get prescription. Medical treatments may include simethicone drops like Maalox, Gas-X, Mylanta, and Phazyme to relieve gas, trying alternative to milk-based formulas like whey-based formulas, soy-based formulas, and hypoallergenic formulas.

That’s how things stand right now. Keep in mind that any subject can change over time, so be sure you keep up with the latest news.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

What to do when there is horse colic

Tuesday, October 12th, 2010

Unlike with human babies, colic in horses can become really serious. In fact, it is considered as an emergency because of the potential damage that it can do to the horses. Even when treated immediately, only some will respond to treatment and medication. The condition of most will only deteriorate.

Colic in horses, like in humans, is pinpointed to a problem in the digestive system. Horses will feel pain in their abdomen, which can cause them to act wild. Horses who are suffering from colic will also cry and shout. They will also prance and buck wherever they are. This may cause injuries to themselves and also to the people who go near them.

There are several types of colic in horses. One is a colic caused by a problem with gas. This is called spasmodic colic. Another type is caused by obstructions in some parts of the body, particularly in the colon or in the intestines, where the structure is a lot narrower compared to other species. Often, impactions like this in different parts of their bodies will require treatment, from something as simple as oil and medication to fluid therapy, depending on the severity of the problem. Other types that horse lovers and owners should watch out for are colics brought on by overeating and those caused by worms.

Signs of colic in horses

There are many signs of colic in horses, primary of this is the apparent restlessness and abrupt loss of appetite. Like babies, they will also be grouchy and fitful. Appetite is one of the most important things that horse owners should observe as this can be frequently overlooked. Another possible sign of colic is that the horse will become restless at one time and listless the other time. They will unusually be lacking in energy and will be lying down for a period of time. Other times, they will be at their most active.

So far, we’ve uncovered some interesting facts about Colic. You may decide that the following information is even more interesting.

This is when the colic is already in its advanced form and the horse can no longer bear the pain. They will tart to paw, prance, and kick the belly. They will be looking at their sides often, and rolling their upper lip. Some will also be jerking their tails, stretching their legs and going from one place to another, unable to rest.

In severe instances, they can get so wild that they will throw themselves down and assume positions that are so unnatural. They will groan and roll and paw.
Although sometimes, horses can be mighty moody sometimes, all these happening at the same period of time, recurring more than twice should already sound the alarm bells especially if the behavior is so unlike your horse’s temperament.

What to do

The first thing that you should do if you suspect colic in your horse is to not panic. This advice can be hard to take in when your horse is tearing the barn down with their wild behavior. But panic will not accomplish anything. You need a clear mind to deal with the problem. Besides, the feelings of panic will only be picked up by your horse, thereby exacerbating their own worries and fears.

The next thing that you should do is to call the veterinarian. Ask for assistance and do not attempt to solve it by yourself or to wait until the condition improves. Remember that colic is a serious matter and should be treated as soon as possible.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

Colic relief in babies

Tuesday, October 12th, 2010

Have you ever wondered what exactly is up with Colic? This informative report can give you an insight into everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Colic.

Colic is one of the most common problems in babies during the first few months. The problem is so common that parents already know how to deal with it even before it occurs. Ways in dealing with colic have been passed on for generations through of mouth or through baby books and digests.

Colic is a problem that everybody seem to know but few can understand. In fact, up until now, scientists and medical experts still do not know what causes colic. All they seem to know is that it is characterized by a pain in the stomach and abdominal area; but where this problem roots from? well that’s something that they are still trying to determine.

Many believe that colic is genetic. This means that parents who suffered from colic when they were babies will also produce babies who will also have colic. Some put the blame on allergens that babies get from their food or from the breast milk that their mommies give them. Others think that colic is just gas that gets stuck inside the still developing systems of the baby.
Colic begins as early as three weeks of age. For premature babies, onset will be a little later because their bodies have not yet developed. Colic episodes will peak at around second month of age and will begin to decline on the third month. Often, episodes will cease during the fourth month of the baby.

Sometimes the most important aspects of a subject are not immediately obvious. Keep reading to get the complete picture.

Colic symptoms are so obvious that it is impossible for parents miss them. In fact, some sings are so ?in-your-face? that parents sometimes tend to panic because of fear that something more major is happening. Colic is actually not a serious problem in babies. Unlike in horses when it is considered to be an emergency and matter of life and death, colic in babies will just cease on their own. Of course, it is important that you also know what differentiates a colic episode from something that is really major. What you think is just colic can be something already serious.

This is why it is also important that you consult your pediatrician when colic starts to ensure that it is really colic that you are dealing with. Since there are no tests that can pinpoint to colic, the most that doctors can do is to exclude other possible causes of crying and screaming episodes. Among the problems that may cause the same reactions are intestinal blockage, infection in the abdomen, an ear infection and sometimes even a scratch in the baby’s eye. Other reasons are obstruction in the digestive tracts, hernia and problems in the bowel.

Since there is really no specific cause of colic, treating or curing colic is impossible. The only thing that parents can do is to make sure that their babies become as comfortable as possible when they are suffering from a colic episode.

One of the things that you can do is to walk your baby and to wrap him or her up in a swaddling. You can also have him listen to some soothing music that will calm him down during an episode. It is important that you do not overfeed your baby, something which most parents will do when their babies cry. Also, check with your pediatrician if your baby is allergic to some foods or liquids that he is taking in. Sometimes allergens that can cause colic can be passed from the mom to the child through breast milk.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

Natural Remedies for Colic

Monday, October 11th, 2010

The only way to keep up with the latest about Colic is to constantly stay on the lookout for new information. If you read everything you find about Colic, it won’t take long for you to become an influential authority.

Colic is a normal phase in the life of a baby during the first few weeks until the third or fourth month. Doctors believe that the excessive crying makes parents more aware of the responsibility of raising a child.

There is no miracle drug that can help treat colic babies. Parents will just have to face it until the child is able to adapt to the new environment and use some natural remedies along the way.

One of the simplest ones parents can use is music. This is probably the reason why lullabies were invented and those who don’t have a singing voice can get the same thing on compact disc. This should be placed whenever the infant is in the crib, which can help it, sleep comfortably.

Another natural remedy is the diet that the mother is having. Certain foods produce gas and when this is converted to milk, it is like passing on the same thing to the child. A dietitian can make a plan so this will not happen.

If the mother is no longer breastfeeding and is relying on milk concentrates, perhaps switching to soymilk instead of the regular kind can help the colic baby.

Some parents think that the infant can survive on breast milk alone in the first few months. Babies also need water and this should be checked before giving it to the child. A good way to do this will be to read the ingredients on the side of the product label.

When a colic baby is crying, parents will normally carry the child. This works but since motion comforts most infants. If the mother is having a hard time carrying the baby, another way to do this will be to go out of the house.

Most of this information comes straight from the Colic pros. Careful reading to the end virtually guarantees that you’ll know what they know.

The woman can put the baby in a carriage or strap it to the car seat so both mother and child can spend quality time in the park or for a joyride.

Babies at a young age also get stressed out. Giving the infant a massage, a warm bath or using aromatherapy can help comfort the infant. The individual can also use a hot bag and put this on the belly and making sure that the water is not too hot.

Babies are colic because of the new environment. No one can blame the infant especially when the home has been the mother’s womb for the first nine months. In order for the baby to slowly adjust, parents can try swaddling or holding the infant close to the chest. This will make the baby reminisce how it was like before.

The various natural remedies are effective. This may not work all the time so the parents should try something different or a variation when things have not improved.

There are of course medications available that can treat colic babies. Parents should consult with the doctor first which one will do the trick before administering it to the infant.

Parents should not panic if the child is classified as colic. This is because it is not a disorder and this is a good indication that the baby is normal. Both the mother and father should be ready for some hard days ahead since there will be a lot of sleepless nights making one feel very exhausted.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

Colic symptoms in babies

Friday, October 8th, 2010

Have you ever wondered what exactly is up with Colic? This informative report can give you an insight into everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Colic.

Colic is one of the most common problems in babies. In fact, it is so common that this is the kind of thing that you will be prepared for even before it occurs being a major topic in all baby books in your bookshelf.

Colic begins as early as two to three weeks and reaches its peak when the baby is about two months old. After which, symptoms and episodes will slowly die down and at fourth month, there will be no more episodes.

Until now, medical experts cannot find what exactly causes colic to occur. It just happens to babies without any real or specific reason. However, there are a host of possible causes that may influence or worsen a colic episode. Here are some of them.

Allergy to cow’s milk or powdered milk
Lactose intolerance
Allergy to the foods that the mother take in and transferred to the baby through breastmilk
Increase in the intestinal gas brought on by foods that usually produce gas in the stomach such as broccoli, onion and beans.
Underdeveloped digestive system that may cause strong contractions in the stomach
Hormonal changes in the body of your baby
Anxiety of the mother and postpartum depression
Overfeeding of the baby

Often, the only sign that parents will get is nonstop crying that can last from an hour to as much as five hours! This can be really hard to take for parents especially those who are not used to their babies crying too much. For first-time parents the first episode of colic can be panicking as they do not know why their little angel is crying so hard.

Crying can be the result of a lot of things. This is why it is important for parents to really know the other signs and symptoms of colic in babies before they panic or in some cases not panic.

Predictable crying episodes

You can see that there’s practical value in learning more about Colic. Can you think of ways to apply what’s been covered so far?

Although this will not be evident at the start, a colicky baby will have crying episodes at specific time of the day. This can either occur at day or at night, often after a meal. These episodes will recur at approximately the same time and it can last from just a few minutes to hours. It can occur once every week or everyday of the week. It really depends on the baby and because there is no known cause, parents just have to patiently wait if there will be an episode for that day.

Gaseous state

According to some experts, colic is brought on by gas in the stomach that causes an ache. Babies will often excrete bowels or pass gas near the end of the episode. This will relieve the problem.

Positions of the legs and arms

Babies who have colic will manifest their pain in the way they will draw their legs to their abdomens to squeeze them in. Their hands will also clench into fists and their abdominal muscles will harden. Some babies who cannot take the pain will trash around and become really wild. Their screams and cries will get louder and louder.

Crying madly

This is one of the main symptoms of colic in babies. In fact, most parents think that if their babies cry, they are either hungry or having a colic. The cries of a colicky child is loud and intense. There is no room for a weak and sickly cry. Their cheeks will often become red from the exertion and they will be difficult to comfort.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

Colic in Newborns

Friday, October 8th, 2010

Imagine the next time you join a discussion about Colic. When you start sharing the fascinating Colic facts below, your friends will be absolutely amazed.

After nearly nine months of staying in the mother’s womb, an infant is finally brought out into the world. It is here that the job of both parents becomes challenging, as a baby will cry for more than three hours daily making it impossible to get the much-needed rest.

Doctors refer to the long excessive crying of a newborn as Colic. Until now, research is unable to pinpoint why this happens. There are various theories that explain this.

The first is when the baby ingests air during breastfeeding. Another claims that the infant is drinking too fast which leads to gastrointestinal pain. It is also possible that the food being eaten by the mother is the cause while some claim that the baby’s newborn’s immune system is not yet able to adapt to life outside the womb.

Regardless of what caused it, doctors believe that this is very common among newborn children. This means there is nothing to worry about since this will gradually disappear in the next few months.

Parents should take it as the first step in nurturing and caring for a child. Some believe that if this did not happen, the period of adjustment will be more difficult.

There is single solution to take care of a colic baby. Sometimes, this idea will work while at times it doesn’t. Here are some of the things that parents can try to find out if it works on the child.

1. If the newborn is in the crib, perhaps getting it out and holding or rocking it in one’s arms can do the trick. Sometimes singing a song is effective, as the baby will once again fall asleep.

2. Making the baby burp after breastfeeding can also prevent the infant from waking up.

See how much you can learn about Colic when you take a little time to read a well-researched article? Don’t miss out on the rest of this great information.

3. The baby may be hungry so it is time to breastfeed. If the infant is full and the arms are sore from carry, maybe going for a ride in the car or in the carriage can make it go away.

4. The baby’s sensitivity to noise can make it wake up again and cry. This can be prevented by not making too sounds. Playing a CD of classical music can help make the infant get enough rest.

5. Giving the newborn a warm bath can also help it stop crying. The parent should make sure it is not too hot because this could be too much for the infant’s skin.

6. It is never too late to give the newborn a pacifier. This will make the baby think that it is still sucking onto the mother’s breast when it is feeding time.

7. Since Colic is associated with gas pains, the parents can also try using Simethicone drops, which has been proven to be effective for making the newborn stop crying.

8. Lastly, the mother should make some changes in the diet. This is because the food being consumed may produce gas, which is converted to milk and passes to the child.

Colic is nothing serious because it is not even classified as a disease or a disorder. It is part of the growing phase of becoming a parent until the newborn is able to stand and even speak for itself. This is just one of the many challenges that anyone will face should the couple decide to have a family.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

The Truth about Colics

Monday, September 27th, 2010

The following article covers a topic that has recently moved to center stage–at least it seems that way. If you’ve been thinking you need to know more about it, here’s your opportunity.

Colic is so common among infants that most people are not surprise anymore when it happens. Still, for the first time mom it can be a harrowing and panicking experience especially with her normally quiet angel screaming non-stop in the background. It is usually manifested at about two to three weeks of age. It becomes more prominent during the first two months and subsides at three months old. Colic altogether stops at about three-and-a-half to four months of age.

Colic is actually not so dangerous. It might seem so though from the way babies would cry and scream at the top of their lungs. In fact, it can be so common that parents may experience an episode on a daily basis; and after the first episode, parents usually learn to handle succeeding ones with aplomb. Still, physicians and scientists cannot pinpoint up until now just what exactly causes colic. It just happens.

Colic, to those who are not familiar with the problem, is a stomach ache that occurs after eating. Because of the continuous pain, babies cry for hours and hours until the colic is relieved. Crying can last for about one to four hours, depending on the severity of the pain. Babies’ cheeks will also become red from the exertion and perhaps the pain.

When there is colic, the belly of the baby may become distended or may become enlarged. One leg will be bent while the other will extended straight out. The feet will become cold and the hands clenched tight because of the pain. This is actually a common reaction for people whose stomachs pain them.

Often, it will occur late in the afternoon or early in the evening after every meal. It can however also happen any time of the day. Not all babies suffer from colic and some even suffer less frequent than others. Medical experts believe that genetics play a role. It seems that if one or both parents have suffered from colic when they were babies, their offspring will also experience colic episodes.

The information about Colic presented here will do one of two things: either it will reinforce what you know about Colic or it will teach you something new. Both are good outcomes.

Still, there are factors that will exacerbate a colic condition in babies. Below are some of them. Read on so that you can avoid these factors and prevent your baby from further suffering.

1. Overfeeding can only worsen the situations when you have a colicky baby in your arms. Make sure that your baby is suffering from hunger and not colic before you feed him again.

2. There are certain foods that will worsen the colic. Those with high sugar content, those with undiluted juice will only increase the gas in the stomach and thus, exacerbate the condition.

3. Intestinal allergy may also cause colic so it is important for moms to know just what makes their babies allergic. It may be from something that they have directly eaten or something that you passed on through the milk in your breasts.

4. Intense feelings can also affect colic. Emotions such as anger, fear, anxiety and excitement should be avoided as this will only worsen the pain for the baby.

The best way to help your baby is to first not panic and then to read up as much as possible even before an episode occurs. Nonstop crying can be a result of a host of other things so it is important that you also keep your eyes open so that you will know what exactly ails your baby. Keep in mind that there is no known cause; so there is also no known cure for it except to make the experience as comfortable and less painful as possible.

There’s no doubt that the topic of Colic can be fascinating. If you still have unanswered questions about Colic, you may find what you’re looking for in the next article.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO


Search