Minaam Jamil
Nov 7, 2025Jump To Section
Colic isn’t just for babies. When adults experience colic disease in adults, it means they are hit with intense, wave-like colic stomach pain. This painful squeezing (colicky abdomen) is often a symptom of something serious inside, not just a simple ache.
Whether you feel low left side pain, female, or any other severe colic abdominal pain, this isn’t normal. The main types in adults are Intestinal, Renal (kidney stones), and Biliary Colic. Finding the cause of pain in the lower left stomach is key to finding relief.
If you have frequent colic symptoms, you need effective adult colic treatment.
Our guides explain how to relieve colic in adults and what these symptoms mean. Let’s dive in
Colic disease in adults is not one single illness. Instead, it is a term used to describe a pain pattern that results from several different disorders. Colic is characterized by episodes of intense, sharp, colic stomach pain that comes in waves, or a sudden squeezing feeling in the belly (colicky abdomen).
This pain happens when muscles in an organ like the bowels, gallbladder, or kidneys squeeze hard to push contents through a blocked or narrowed tube. For example, severe colic abdominal pain might be caused by gallstones or kidney stones. So, when doctors talk about colic pain in adults, they are describing the way the body hurts, which then helps them figure out the true underlying cause of pain in the lower left stomach or wherever the pain is located.
Colic is a descriptive term for severe, cramping pain that comes in waves. It isn’t one disease; it’s a specific kind of pain signal that something is blocked or irritated. Here are the main types of colic and the diseases that cause them in adults:
This type of colic comes from the intestines and is caused by issues like gas buildup, muscle spasms, or anything that slows down or blocks the movement of food.
| Caused By (Mechanism) | Associated Diseases |
| Gas buildup, infection, spasms, or blockage | Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) |
| Gastroenteritis (stomach flu) | |
| Intestinal blockage or adhesions (scar tissue) |
This is often one of the most painful types. It happens when something temporarily blocks the small tubes (bile ducts) coming from the gallbladder or liver.
| Caused By (Mechanism) | Associated Diseases |
| Gallstones are temporarily blocking the bile ducts | Cholelithiasis (Gallstones) |
| Cholecystitis (Gallbladder inflammation) | |
| Biliary obstruction (blockage of bile ducts) |
This pain is known for being extremely severe and often starts in the back, moving down toward the groin. It is caused by stones moving through the ureter (the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder).
| Caused By (Mechanism) | Associated Diseases |
| Kidney stones moving through the urinary tract | Nephrolithiasis (Kidney stones) |
| Urinary tract infection (UTI) | |
| Hydronephrosis (urinary blockage causing kidney swelling) |
This type of colic pain originates in the stomach area, usually due to inflammation or irritation of the stomach lining.
| Caused By (Mechanism) | Associated Diseases |
| Indigestion, inflammation, or irritation | Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) |
| Peptic Ulcer Disease (open sores in the stomach or duodenum) | |
| Functional Dyspepsia (chronic indigestion without an obvious cause) |
When you have colic disease in adults, the pain is usually severe and unmistakable. Because colic is a pain pattern caused by your internal organs squeezing hard, the symptoms are often very dramatic.
Here are the most common symptoms to look out for if you suspect you are dealing with a colicky episode:
Sudden, Cramping Abdominal Pain: This is the most defining symptom. The pain is not steady; it comes in waves (intermittently) and feels like intense squeezing or cramping.
Bloating or Gas Buildup: Especially common with intestinal colic, where gas struggles to move past a blockage or slow area.
Nausea or Vomiting: The severity of the pain often triggers nausea, and vomiting may occur, especially with gallbladder or intestinal issues.
Pain Radiating to Other Areas: Depending on the organ involved, the pain can spread:
Pain from gallbladder issues (Biliary Colic) often goes to the back or right shoulder.
Sweating or Restlessness: The pain is so severe that it can cause you to sweat or be unable to find a comfortable position (restlessness).
Changes in Bowel or Urinary Habits: You may have diarrhea, constipation, or notice changes in the color or frequency of your urination (especially with kidney colic).
Important Note: Persistent or severe pain, especially if it is accompanied by fever, may signal serious diseases like gallstones, kidney stones, or bowel obstruction. If your pain is debilitating, seek immediate medical help.
When you visit a doctor for severe, wave-like stomach pain (colic pain in adults), their main goal is to figure out the underlying disease causing it, not just to treat the pain itself. Understanding the real cause is key to getting you the right adult colic treatment.
Physical Exam: Your doctor will gently examine your belly to feel for tenderness, swelling, or any unusual masses.
Symptom History: You’ll be asked many questions about your pain:
The main point is this: pinpointing the exact disease, whether it’s gallstones, IBS, or a kidney stone, is essential. This way, your doctor can give you specific treatment that tackles the problem at its source, leading to lasting relief from those intense colicky abdominal episodes.
Treating colic disease in adults involves two main steps: first, managing the intense pain, and second, treating the underlying disease that is causing the problem.
When you are suffering from a bout of colic stomach pain, quick relief is necessary. To answer how to relieve colic in adults, doctors may recommend:
Medication: Antispasmodics (to relax the cramping muscles) and analgesics (pain relief medication).
Support: Proper hydration (drinking fluids) and rest are essential to help your body recover from the stress of the pain.
Since colic is a pain symptom, the definitive adult colic treatment focuses on eliminating the cause:
| Colic Type | Underlying Issue (Cause) | Specific Treatment |
| Biliary Colic (Gallstones) | Gallstones | Surgery (to remove the gallbladder) or ERCP (to remove stones). |
| Renal Colic (Kidney Stones) | Kidney Stones | High hydration, lithotripsy (using sound waves to break stones), or surgical removal. |
| Intestinal Colic (Bowel Issues) | Blockage or Infection | Dietary management, antibiotics (if infection is present), or surgery (if there is a severe blockage). |
For long-term relief and prevention of recurrent episodes of colic in adults, lifestyle changes are powerful. This is where guidance from wellness professionals can be extremely valuable:
Diet and Nutrition: Work with a holistic nutritionist to help design an anti-inflammatory, fiber-rich, and balanced eating plan. They focus on whole foods and can help pinpoint specific food triggers that lead to severe colic and adult symptoms.
Gut Health: Consulting a Gut Health Natural Practitioner can provide specialized strategies for supporting your digestive system. They often recommend specific supplements or probiotics to strengthen your gut lining and balance your microbiome, helping to prevent issues like chronic intestinal colic.
General Health: Always stay hydrated and exercise regularly. Learn to manage stress and limit intake of excessive alcohol or very fatty, processed foods.
Check-ups: Schedule regular check-ups with your physician for early detection and management of potential GI issues before they turn into severe colic pain.
The key takeaway about colic disease in adults is this: those waves of intense, cramping discomfort are a major signal. Colic is not the disease itself; it is a clear warning sign that often points to serious underlying digestive or urinary disorders, whether it’s gallstones, kidney stones, or irritable bowel issues.
We cannot stress enough the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Quickly identifying the cause of pain in the lower left stomach or wherever the discomfort strikes is the best way to prevent severe complications, such as internal blockages, and ensure effective adult colic treatment.
If you are experiencing recurring or intense colic abdominal pain, or if your symptoms are severe, please do not self-diagnose or rely only on a quick hangover stomach ache remedy. Seek immediate medical attention to find the root cause and finally get the lasting relief you need from a colicky abdomen.
Yes. While the term is often linked to babies, severe cramping pain (colic pain in adults) is a common symptom resulting from many conditions, such as kidney stones or gallbladder problems.
The main types are:
Stress and anxiety can worsen conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which is a common cause of pain in the lower left stomach and can lead to episodes of intestinal colic. However, stress itself is rarely the only cause of the pain.
You should see a doctor immediately if you have recurring, debilitating, or intense colic adult symptoms, especially if the pain is accompanied by fever, vomiting, or if you can’t pass gas or have a bowel movement. Early diagnosis is key.
A holistic nutritionist can help by identifying specific food sensitivities or triggers that worsen conditions like intestinal colic. They focus on dietary changes and supplements to improve gut health and reduce overall inflammation.
My name is Minaam Jamil, and I’m a natural health practitioner with a background in pharmacy, a heart rooted in holistic healing, and a journey shaped by many cultures. I was born in Pakistan, lived in the UK, Middle East, and now call Calgary home. Each place gifted me a different kind of wisdom scientific, spiritual, ancestral and together they’ve shaped how I care for others. I started The Natural Healing Haven because I know what it feels like to search for answers that conventional medicine can’t always provide. After years in pharmacy and becoming a mother, I felt called to explore gentler, more intuitive ways of healing ones that honor the body’s design, the soul’s needs, and the sacred connection between the two.
