Abdominal Colic: Symptoms, Causes & When to Seek Care

Sudden, intense abdominal pain can be unsettling, especially when it appears without warning. You may be experiencing sharp, cramping pain yourself, or you may be caring for a baby who is crying inconsolably and seems difficult to soothe.

The term “abdominal colic” is often used in situations like this to describe episodes of pain that come and go in waves. While colic can have different causes depending on age and circumstances, it is often manageable once the underlying reason is understood. 

Learning what abdominal colic means, what may trigger it, and when medical advice is needed can help you feel more reassured and better prepared to respond.

What is abdominal colic?

Abdominal colic is not a disease on its own. Instead, it describes a pattern of pain that occurs when something inside your body is not moving as it should. The pain often comes in waves and can feel sudden, intense, and sharply localised, which can be worrying when it first starts.

This usually happens when a hollow organ, such as the intestines, gallbladder, or urinary tract, squeezes to push past something that is blocking it, like a stone or a build-up of material.

The way colic affects you can vary depending on the underlying cause and your age. 

• In babies:

  • Shows up as long crying episodes that are hard to calm 

• In adults:

  • Sharp, cramping pain that comes and goes 

  • It is commonly felt in a specific area of your abdomen.

Whether the pain comes from the digestive system or the kidneys, it typically follows the same pattern. The sudden, intense peaks can feel overwhelming at the time, but they often ease for a while before returning again. This cycle of pain and relief is a key feature of colic.

What does it mean if your baby has colic?

Infant colic, sometimes called three-month colic, is a common condition that can be extremely upsetting for new parents. It usually affects babies who are otherwise healthy and feeding well, which can make the crying feel even more confusing and worrying.

Because babies cannot tell you what is wrong, recognising colic means paying close attention to their behaviour and physical cues.

You may notice:

• Their crying is intense and sounds more like a cry of pain than a cry of hunger.

• They usually have their crying episodes in the late afternoon or evening (evening colic).

• Your baby may clench their fists, arch their back, or pull their legs up to their tummy.

• Their belly might feel hard or swollen, often due to painful gas.

• They become harder to console, even with feeding, rocking, or cuddling.

While the crying can be incredibly distressing, it is important to remember that colic is temporary and does not cause long-term harm to your baby.

What are the potential causes and triggers?

Doctors do not fully understand why some babies develop colic while others do not, but your baby may have abdominal colic due to a combination of factors rather than a single issue.

• Immature digestive system: 

  • Your baby’s gut is still learning to process food, leading to gas and spasms.

• Sensory overload: 

  • Some babies are more sensitive to light, noise, and activity and may become overwhelmed, especially towards the end of the day.

• Dietary sensitivities: 

  • Temporary intolerances, such as cow’s milk protein intolerance, can irritate your baby’s tummy and cause discomfort.  

• Acid reflux: 

  • Stomach acid can flow back into the food pipe, causing irritation that feels similar to colic pain. 

• Premature birth: 

  • If your baby is born early, they may have a more sensitive nervous system, making them prone to colic.

Because colic often involves several overlapping factors, it is not always possible to pinpoint one clear cause. Triggers can also differ from one baby to another, which is why what helps one child may not work for your child. 

This can be worrying for parents, but it’s important to remember that colic is common and does not mean that you’re doing anything wrong.

What to do if your child has abdominal colic? 

For most babies, colic improves on its own over time and rarely needs medical treatment. Supportive care can help comfort your baby and reduce stress for yourself.

For your child

While you cannot "cure" colic, you can help manage the symptoms and comfort your baby during an episode. 

Here are some steps you can take to support your child:

• Try rocking your baby with an infant swing or a wind-up swing, or taking a gentle car ride

• Listen to soft background noise, such as white noise, to calm your baby 

• Do a gentle tummy massage or a warm bath to relax your baby

• Speak to your paediatrician if you suspect a food intolerance, such as a milk intolerance

• Explore herbal remedies with lemon balm, though you should always check with a doctor first

Most importantly, remember that colic does not affect your baby’s growth or development. For most babies, the crying gradually settles on its own, usually by the age of three to four months.

Your baby may also seem very drowsy and floppy and can develop a fever above 38°C, especially when paired with tummy pain or signs of infection. In this case, you should take them to the hospital immediately so doctors can assess them promptly, identify the cause, and provide the urgent care they may need.

For yourself or the carer

Caring for a baby with colic can be exhausting. It is normal to feel helpless, frustrated, or worn down when the crying feels endless. 

You can take these steps to help you reassure yourself, recharge, and continue supporting your baby.

• Place your baby in their cot and step away for a few minutes to breathe and reset

• Share the load where you can, whether with your partners, family members, or friends

• Reach out to a healthcare professional if you feel low, anxious, or unable to cope

Looking after your own wellbeing is also part of looking after your baby. If you feel stressed or burnt out, don’t hesitate to reach out for support early so that you can get the help you need and continue to care for your baby with confidence. 

Do adults have abdominal colic?

In adults, 'colic' usually refers to pain coming from a specific organ rather than general stomach discomfort. Knowing the location of the pain can help you and your doctor determine what might be causing it. 

There are three main types of colic in adults:

Because different organs can cause similar pain, speak to your doctor so that they can recommend suitable diagnosis tests to help find the cause and decide on the most suitable treatment.

How is abdominal colic diagnosed?

To diagnose abdominal colic, doctors look at your symptoms, examine your abdomen, and use tests to find out which organ is causing the pain. These tests will help you and your care team identify if your problems are caused by temporary colic or a condition that needs urgent treatment.

Your doctor will gently examine your abdomen to check for tenderness, swelling, or any unusual lumps. They may listen to your bowel sounds to look for signs of intestinal obstruction and check for abdominal distension or dehydration.

They may also use these following imaging tests:

• Abdominal ultrasounds to look for gallstones or kidney stones

• CT scans to give a more detailed view of your abdomen

• Urine tests to check for blood or infection, which may point to kidney stones

• Blood tests to help identify signs of infection or inflammation

Together, these findings help doctors decide whether your colic is likely to settle on its own or requires urgent medical or surgical care.

How to manage abdominal colic?

If your pain is mild and you do not have any warning signs, you can try these simple steps at home:

• Apply a heating pad or a warm water bottle on the painful area to relax muscle spasms.

• Lie down in a comfortable position and try to rest

• Take small sips of clear fluids or an electrolyte solution to stay hydrated, especially if you have been vomiting.

• Avoid solid foods for a few hours

• When you start eating again, choose bland, low-fat foods such as rice or toast. 

If your colic is caused by a blockage or infection, your doctor may recommend medication or, in some cases, a procedure to treat the underlying problem.

• Pain relief to control the intense pain seen in conditions such as renal or biliary colic

• Antispasmodics to help relax the muscles of your gut or urinary tract

• Antibiotics if there is an infection, such as in the gallbladder or kidneys

• Surgery to remove the blockage if you have kidney stones or severe intestinal obstruction

Your treatment for colic depends on the cause and how your symptoms change. While mild pain may improve with home care, colic caused by a blockage or infection often needs medical treatment to prevent it from worsening.  

You may find this uncertainty worrying, but your doctor will guide you on the most appropriate treatment to ensure the underlying problem is properly addressed.

When to seek urgent medical care

Most colic episodes settle on their own, but there are times when you should not wait it out. Knowing when to seek help can make all the difference.

Seek medical support immediately if you notice:

• Pain so severe that you cannot get comfortable or keep changing position without relief

• A high fever (usually above 38°C)

• Very fast heartbeat and difficulty in breathing

• Signs of confusion, such as being disoriented, or not aware of what is happening around 

• Possible bowel blockage, such as not being able to pass stool or gas along with ongoing vomiting

• Fainting or seizures linked to the pain

If any of these symptoms occur, it’s important to seek medical care straight away rather than waiting for them to pass. Getting checked early allows your care team to understand what’s causing the pain and step in if needed.

FAQ

Is colic in adults the same as a stomach bug? 

No. A stomach bug (gastroenteritis) is an infection that typically causes diarrhoea, fever, and constant aching. Adult colic usually refers to waves of sharp pain caused by a blockage (like a stone) and may not always present with diarrhoea or fever.

Does gripe water actually work? 

The evidence is mixed. Some parents report it helps soothe a baby, possibly due to the sweet taste or herbal ingredients like fennel. However, it is not a cure. Always consult your doctor before using it.

Is abdominal colic hereditary? 

Some underlying causes, like kidney stones or gallstones, can run in families. If your parents had biliary colic, you might be at a slightly higher risk.

What if the pain moves? 

Pain that changes location can help doctors understand what is causing it. For example, pain that starts around the belly button and later shifts to the lower right side of the abdomen may point to appendicitis. Pain that begins in the back and moves down towards the groin is more suggestive of renal colic.

Will my baby grow out of it? 

Yes. Most babies with colic improve on their own by around 3 to 4 months of age and continue along a normal growth pattern.

Can a childhood migraine cause abdominal pain? 

Yes. A childhood migraine can sometimes present as an abdominal migraine, which causes recurrent episodes of stomach pain instead of head pain.

The information is intended for general guidance only and should not be considered medical advice. For personalised recommendations and advice based on your unique situation, please consult a specialist at Thomson Medical. Request an appointment with Thomson Medical today.