Being a common intestinal problem, colics amount to a quarter of all medical consultations. Colics are caused by violent contractions of the intestines that result in severe, often intermittent, abdominal pain, which alternates with periods of calm. In general, there are two types of colic: colic and chronic colic. Colic is simply a temporary fit due to an accidental malfunction of the intestines. On the other hand, chronic colic regularly occurs – at least 3 days per month – over long periods of time, usually lasting about 6 months. Women are often subject to this condition, commonly known as irritable bowel syndrome
In adults, colics often result from excessive eating, drinking or a sudden climate change. A brief psychological crisis can also be the cause. On the other hand, in infants younger than 4 months, this condition may be linked to teething, or it may be a disease in itself. In the latter case, it is due either to the poor quality of the provided milk, to inadequate gastric rest, or to the duration of gastric emptying time.
Colics usually manifest themselves by violent abdominal pain. In young children, they may be accompanied by stomach cramps. In some of them, burps and gas emissions are also observed. Some types of colic, especially those classified as chronic, alter the stool’s firmness and may cause constipation or diarrhoea.
Homoeopathic remedies should be taken every 15 minutes from the onset of the first symptoms. Depending on an eventual improvement of the patient’s condition, the remedy intakes will be progressively spaced out. For every colic symptom, there is a specific product adapted for its treatment. Colocynthis is well-suited to soothe very strong pain. Belladonna is indicated for cases of even more severe pain, and it is advisable to combine it with Bryonia once the pain becomes unbearable and confine the patient to his or her bed. Magnesia Phosphorica can be used for colics that remain painful even after gas emissions. Regarding colics that result from a surplus of fruits, it is recommended to resort to China. Nux vomica is effective for the treatment of colics due to overeating and / or excessive drinking.
Homoeopathic treatment of colic in young children is about the same as in adults, but the dosage differs. Although the recommended dosage for adults is 7 granules per intake, 2 granules per intake are sufficient for children. Homoeopathic products such as Colocynthis, Magnesia Phosphorica and Nux vomica can be administered to adults as well as children. However, some homoeopathic remedies are specially tailored for infants. This concerns, for example, Chamomilla which relieves a crying baby’s nerves, and Dioscorea which is well-suited for children who are curled up in pain. To prevent colic, do not feed the child with any food likely to provoke constipation.
It is advisable to consult a doctor or a homoeopath from the onset of the first symptoms in order to benefit from appropriate treatment. However, if the symptoms persist or worsen beyond 24 hours of homoeopathic treatment, you should immediately consult your physician. In children, crying, fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, lack of appetite, and the presence of blood in the stool or urine are symptoms that self-medication cannot cure and for which a paediatrician consultation becomes necessary.
Good to know: A form of therapy with many renowned advantages, homoeopathy reduces the symptoms resulting from colics and treats them in-depth. When the remedies are administered from the onset of the first symptoms, they can help prevent the colic from becoming chronic.
