Umbilical colic – causes, symptoms & therapy

causes

There is no organic cause for umbilical colic. It is functional pain in response to stressful situations . As a result, sensitive children are more frequently affected in this context.However, various triggers can be considered as the cause of umbilical colic. In this regard, not only fear and excessive demands can trigger the pain. Positive stress, such as anticipation of a special event, can also lead to stomach ache in sensitive children.

symptoms and course

Typical symptoms of umbilical colic:

• pain navel

• stomach pain

• headache

• paleness

Abdominal pain is usually the only symptom. They can last from a few minutes to an hour. The child is symptom-free between attacks of pain. Possible side effects are headaches and paleness. Other side effects, such as fever or nausea, rule out navel colic as the cause of the symptoms and rather point to a gastrointestinal infection or other organic causes.

Pain that occurs at night is also atypical for umbilical colic and rather indicates another disease. If the pain does not subside or even moves down the abdominal cavity, you should see a doctor immediately. Then it is not a question of umbilical colic but possibly appendicitis , which can be life-threatening if left untreated. At the age described, the disease can occur again and again in flares, but grows stronger with the onset of puberty .

Diagnose

A differential diagnosis to rule out organic diseases is common. If no organic cause can be found, the diagnosis is usually umbilical colic. Other designations such as functional abdominal pain or psychosomatic complaints are also possible. They point to the same underlying disease. It should be noted that psychosomatic complaints are not simply made up by the child. For the affected child, this pain is very real and should therefore be taken seriously and treated accordingly.

treatment and therapy

Treatment is primarily by controlling the symptoms. Fennel or chamomile tea can bring relief. But a hot water bottle or a light massage can also alleviate the pain. For some children, intensive attention or distraction is enough to forget the pain or to cope with it more easily. Commercially available painkillers are unsuitable for treatment, they often only develop their effect after the pain has subsided anyway. If the measures described do not improve, the child should be presented to a doctor to rule out organic diseases.

Homeopathic remedies are also available to treat umbilical colic . These are used based on the accompanying symptoms and the general appearance of the child. Not every remedy works the same for every child. Therefore, a naturopath or a doctor with additional homeopathic training should be consulted before treatment.

Sometimes psychological or conflict counseling can also help to improve the symptoms. This is particularly necessary if the child is already avoiding behavior due to the illness, which restricts the quality of life. Situations that trigger the affected children are often avoided, especially if the navel colic occurs in connection with school anxiety. It is important to ensure that avoidance is not the chosen strategy, but that other coping strategies are learned and practiced. However, the first point of contact here is also the pediatrician, who first rules out organic causes and then provides appropriate advice.

prevention

Prevention of this disease is difficult because it can appear very suddenly and with previous signs. There is no underlying medical condition, such as food intolerance , that can be avoided in advance. However, if the parents know that their child often reacts very sensitively, they can avoid or “defuse” corresponding stressful situations as triggers. Soothing conversations can reduce stress leading up to an exciting event, thereby preventing or alleviating the onset of symptoms.However, once diagnosed, avoiding both positive and negative stress in susceptible children can prevent recurrence. Autogenic training can also prevent or at least alleviate recurrent symptoms. Herbal medicine can also offer help. In this way, soothing herbal preparations can be used in the run-up to exciting events.

However, the focus of treatment here should be more on learning coping strategies than on drug treatment. Every effective drug also has side effects that can cause unpleasant consequences with long-term use.