What is the meaning of biliary colic?

What is the meaning of biliary colic?

Biliary colic is defined as pain in the abdomen, due to obstruction usually by stones in the cystic duct or common bile duct of the biliary tree.

What are the symptoms of biliary colic?

A person with biliary colic typically feels pain in the middle to right upper abdomen. This pain can even radiate to the shoulder. The pain can feel sharp, crampy, or like a constant dull ache. Colic often occurs in the evening, especially after eating a heavy meal.

What is the most common cause of biliary colic?

Gallstones are the most common reason for biliary colic. If a gallstone blocks either of these ducts, the normal flow of bile into the intestine is disrupted. The muscle cells in the bile duct contract vigorously to try to move the stone, causing the pain of biliary colic.

What is another name for biliary colic?

Biliary colic, also known as symptomatic cholelithiasis, a gallbladder attack or gallstone attack, is when a colic (sudden pain) occurs due to a gallstone temporarily blocking the cystic duct.

What is the difference between biliary colic and cholecystitis?

Persistence of biliary obstruction leads to cholecystitis and persistent right upper quadrant pain. The character of the pain is similar to gallbladder colic, except that it is prolonged and lasts hours (usually >6 h) or days. Nausea, vomiting, and low-grade fever are associated more commonly with cholecystitis.

Is biliary colic the same as gallstones?

Gallstones don’t usually cause any symptoms. But if a gallstone blocks one of the bile ducts, it can cause sudden, severe abdominal pain, known as biliary colic.

What is the treatment for biliary colic?

The most common treatment for biliary colic is surgical removal of the gallbladder. The gallbladder is not an essential organ, and the body can function normally without it. Surgery to remove the gallbladder is known as a cholecystectomy.

Is biliary colic an emergency?

An emergent condition arises when gallstones lead to obstruction of the gallbladder and bile ducts, resulting in pancreatitis, cholangitis, symptomatic cholelithiasis (biliary colic), and cholecystitis.

What foods trigger biliary colic?

Biliary colic and diet Examples include white bread or white rice. These foods may increase the risk of gallstones forming. Food that contains a lot of saturated fat, such as butter, cakes, or fatty meats, including sausages, can raise cholesterol. If cholesterol builds up in the bile, it can lead to gallstones.