Bilious Colic

Bilious colic is an archaic term for what is more commonly referred to as biliary colic. Originally it referred to colic--any severe abdominal pain--caused by an excess of bile. It could be associated with the gallbladder or liver, and may have been caused by a number of conditions. Now biliary colic is used only to refer to extreme pain caused by gallstone complications.

Symptoms

• Biliary colic is characterized by a strong cramping pain in the upper-right portion of the abdomen. Nausea is also common. In some cases, sufferers will develop jaundice, or yellowing, of the eyes and skin. Pain may last several hours and spread through the center of the back or into the right shoulder. Symptoms are most common after consuming a meal high in fat and often occur at night.

Causes

• This condition usually occurs when a gallstone, a hard deposit formed in the gallbladder, moves to block the common bile duct or cystic duct. The result is cramping pain that does not go away until the blockage clears. According to the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, this condition occurs in about a third of patients suffering from gallstones. The risk is higher in overweight patients, people with high cholesterol levels, pregnant women and people taking estrogen.

Diagnosis

• To diagnose biliary colic, a doctor first reviews a patient's symptoms and medical history, then performs a thorough physical examination. An ultrasound, CT scan, MRI or other imaging technique may be used to examine the organs and see whether there's an obstruction inside the bile duct. The doctor may also perform a blood test to find other complications of gallstones, such as jaundice or pancreatitis.

Treatment

• Biliary colic is usually treated using pain-relieving medication and diet. People suffering from gallstones may need to eat a diet that is much lower in fat than normal. Surgical removal of the stones or the entire gallbladder is common. Patients who can't undergo surgery may receive oral medication to dissolve gallstones. However, this treatment takes a long time, and is not in common use.

Prevention/Solution

• According to the Mayo Clinic, a high-fiber diet containing primarily unsaturated fats may help reduce the risk of gallstones and bilious colic. Nutritional balance is important, too--people with vitamin E, vitamin C or calcium deficiencies have a higher risk of gallstones. These nutrients may be taken as part of a healthy diet or as supplements. A higher activity level may help prevent gallstones. While being overweight may increase the risk of gallstones and biliary colic, rapid weight loss also carries an increased risk. The Mayo Clinic advises a weight-loss rate of no more than one or two pounds per week.