BCT # 3 (COLIC)

Colic is regular waxing and waning pain, caused by muscular spasms in a hollow viscera, like the intestines, ureter, uterus, bile duct, gall bladder, etc. Colic leads to great restlessness compelling the patient to pace around.

There can be different types of colic according to the organ involved:

• Biliary colic: It is caused by distension of gallbladder and obstruction of cystic or bile duct, most commonly due to a gallstone. It is a severe steady ache in the Right Upper Quadrant or epigastrium which begins abruptly, often 30-90 mins after a meal, lasts for hours and may radiate to the right scapula or back.
• Renal colic: It is caused by renal stones characterized by excruciating spasms from loin to groin” often with nausea or vomiting. Patient is unable to lie still.
• Intestinal colic: Results from obstruction in the large or small intestine characterized by spasmodic pain occurring in a succession of waves with nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and bloating.

Action of Ingredients:

Magnesium phosphoricum: The great anti-spasmodic remedy. Flatulent colic, forcing the patient to bend double; relieved by rubbing, warmth, pressure; accompanied with belching of gas, which gives no relief. Menstrual colic. Membranous dysmenorrhoea.

Calcarea phosphorica: Colicky pain in abdomen on attempting to eat. Colic, soreness and burning around the navel.

Natrum sulphuricum: Liver sore to touch, with sharp, stitching pains; cannot bear tight clothing around the waist, worse, lying on left side. Flatulance; wind colic in the ascending colon; worse, before breakfast.

Ferrum phosphoricum: First stages of peritonitis. Distended abdomen, intolerance of clothes. Metrorrhagia and dysmenorrhoea.