Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Colic
Introduction
Overview
Colic is a form of pain which starts and stops abruptly. It is often due to expansion of a viscus.
Types of Colic include:
- Baby colic, a condition, usually in infants, characterized by incessant crying
- Renal colic, a pain in the flank, characteristic of kidney stones
- Biliary colic, blockage by a gallstone of the common bile duct or the duct leading into it from the gallbladder
- Devon colic, an affliction caused by lead poisoning
- Painter’s colic or lead poisoning
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]