What is colic?
Colic is frequent, prolonged and intense crying or fussiness in a healthy infant.
These episodes often occur in the evening, when parents themselves are often tired.
Episodes of colic usually peak when an infant is about 6 weeks old and decline significantly after 3 to 4 months of age.
Symptoms
Fussing and crying are normal for infants, especially during the first three months.
Features of colic may include the following:
- Intense crying that may seem more like screaming or an expression of pain
- Crying for no apparent reason
- Extreme fussiness even after crying has diminished
- Predictable timing, with episodes often occurring in the evening
- Facial discoloring, such as reddening of the face or paler skin around the mouth
- Bodily tension, such as pulled up or stiffened legs, stiffened arms, clenched fists, arched back, or tense abdomen
Causes
The cause of colic is unknown.
It may result from numerous contributing factors.
Possible contributing factors that have been explored include:
- Digestive system that isn't fully developed
- Imbalance of healthy bacteria in the digestive tract
- Food allergies or intolerances
- Overfeeding, underfeeding
- Infrequent burping
- Early form of childhood migraine
- Family stress or anxiety
Complications
Colic does not cause short-term or long-term medical problems for a child.
Due to the condition significantly increases the risk of postpartum depression, the mother may also skim milk.
Due to colic, the parent may feel guilty, angry, think that he can not help his child, get tired.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/colic/symptoms-causes/syc-
20371074
