Hepatic colic is one of the most common symptoms of liver and gallbladder diseases. In most cases, this is how gallstone disease manifests itself.
Hepatic colic: causes of occurrence
Often, stones in the gallbladder are not clinically manifested, especially in cases where they are located at its bottom or in the area of the body. When the stones move into the neck or bile ducts, a pronounced pain syndrome develops - an attack of hepatic colic.
This violation can be provoked by nervous and emotional factors, as well as excessive physical exertion and shaking while driving. Overeating, eating fatty spicy foods, a large amount of spices should also be attributed to provoking conditions.
It should be noted that a violation of the outflow of bile of any etiology leads to the fact that hepatic colic occurs. The symptoms of this disorder in this case depend on the degree of spasm and obstruction of the biliary tract. Regardless of the causes, this pathology requires immediate therapy.
How does hepatic colic manifest itself
Seizure symptoms occurin the evening, at night or in the afternoon, often after breaking the diet. The pain does not have a clear localization, although, as a rule, it is felt in the area of the right hypochondrium, radiating to the back, right shoulder, shoulder blade. It is concentrated below the costal arch, increases during inspiration and in the supine position on the left side.
Hepatic colic is characterized by such unpleasant phenomena. Symptoms of obstruction of the outflow of bile can also include bloating, the appearance of nausea and persistent vomiting that does not bring relief. In some cases, an increase in temperature up to 38 ° C can be observed. Patients have moist skin. Jaundice may occur, which indicates a mechanical obstruction to the outflow of bile. But still, the main manifestation of the disease is hepatic colic. Symptoms of bile duct obstruction also include discoloration of stools and dark urine.
The duration of an attack is 2-5 hours, although these boundaries are conditional and can vary in a fairly wide range. So, pathological manifestations can persist even for several days, exhausting the patient.
How to eliminate hepatic colic
If you have an attack, you should immediately call a doctor. By his arrival, the patient must be calmed, laid on his right side, putting a heating pad on the right hypochondrium, which allows you to relieve spasm. It is worth noting that this can be done only in the case when the presence of pathologies that can be aggravated by the application of heat is completely excluded.
An antispasmodic can be taken to reduce pain. If vomiting is observed, it is better to use injectable forms of drugs. The most commonly prescribed medications are No-shpa, Atropine, Promedol, and Pantopon. Nitroglycerin can be used to relieve spasm of the biliary tract.
Further therapeutic tactics is determined by the doctor. Outpatient pharmacological treatment is carried out, alternative methods can be used. If necessary, patients periodically undergo abdominal ultrasound. In severe cases, surgical treatment is indicated, especially for calculous cholecystitis.
