Colic

Colic is a severe pain localized in the abdominal region, characterized by rhythmic weakening and strengthening over minutes. The pain is caused by spasmodic contractions of the smooth muscle of the hollow organ, which tries to release the obstruction in the lumen (e.g. a gallstone in the bile duct) by its peristalsis. Colic is often accompanied by nausea and sweating. In gastrointestinal disorders manifested by colic, a temporal relationship between food intake and the onset of pain can be observed.
 * Colic due to gastric ulcer: early onset of pain (within an hour) is typical.
 * Colic due to duodenal ulcer: pain with late onset (after two or more hours) or nocturnal onset.
 * Gallbladder colic: occurs in connection with the intake of fatty foods. Late to night onset is also typical for this colic
 * Renal colic: occurs suddenly, usually as a result of exertion or shock, most commonly in patients with kidney stones.

Related Articles

 * Gastroduodenal ulcer disease
 * Renal colic
 * Cholelithiasis
 * Abdominal pain
 * Types of pain in acute abdomen

Literature

 * CHROBÁK, Ladislav, et al. Propaedeutics of internal medicine. 2nd edition. Prague: GRADA Publishing, 2007. 243 pp.  ISBN 978-80-247-1309-0.