Medicinal Treatments for Colic
"My experience is that medicines may help a little at first but then lose their effect. I have found that once the colic has been corrected and the bloating and gas have been alleviated, the spitting up stops."
Colic Calm and Gripe Water
Dr. Harvey Karp M.D. , Professor of pediatrics at UCLA School of Medicine and the developer of the 5-step method, states that only 3% of colic cases have anything to do with digestion. He claims, "the rest just need a calming down". In treating over 1,000 babies, my research and experience indicates to me that every colic case has everything to do with digestion. After doing extensive research on the various effects of products used to relieve colic, I've found that there are only a few products that seem to show any results, some of which include Colic Calm and Gripe Water.
Almost every baby I have treated for colic had already tried one or more of these products. At first, the products helped to relieve a bit of discomfort, but eventually the condition went back to square one and in some cases, the situation was worsened. If the products would have treated the colic as advertised, the babies would never have been brought to me for treatment. The problem with colic is the weakening and leakage to the ilio-cecal valve muscle. I have discovered that many of products, as well as many foods, can weaken this muscle instead of make it stronger. The purpose of products should be to help relax the intestinal muscle and relieve pain, however, it weakens the valve muscle and makes it leak more, which causes more pain as opposed to alleviating it. There are exceptions to all rules.
Almost every baby I have treated for colic had already tried one or more of these products. At first, the products helped to relieve a bit of discomfort, but eventually the condition went back to square one and in some cases, the situation was worsened. If the products would have treated the colic as advertised, the babies would never have been brought to me for treatment. The problem with colic is the weakening and leakage to the ilio-cecal valve muscle. I have discovered that many of products, as well as many foods, can weaken this muscle instead of make it stronger. The purpose of products should be to help relax the intestinal muscle and relieve pain, however, it weakens the valve muscle and makes it leak more, which causes more pain as opposed to alleviating it. There are exceptions to all rules.
Prescription Medications
People are getting scared of all the side effects of drugs. I hear all the time that, “I just don’t like taking medicine.” Is medicine effective for the treatment of colic? When doing research, I read over and over about the rule of 3.
Rule of 3
- 1. Baby cries inconsolably for three hours
- 2. Baby cries three hours per day at least three days a week
- 3. Baby cries three hours per day at least three days a week for three months and then he,she is supposed to outgrow this condition.
In the past, certain medications were given to babies, which resulted in a bit less crying, but the side effects of the medications were severe and very risky. For this reason, I have seen that medication is no longer given. The most common recommendations for colic are the 5 S’s and to be patient because it’s supposed to go away within three months. When the baby begins spitting up and projectile vomiting, these symptoms are usually diagnosed as acid reflux, for which three general medications are given: Zantac, Prilosec, or Tegument.
Do these medications work to eliminate the projectile vomiting?
I have seen that these medications tend to help a little at first but then lose effectiveness. I have found that once the colic has been corrected and the bloating and gas have been alleviated, the spitting up usually stops. Do I think that projectile vomiting and spit up is acid reflux? Most research I have read and my many years of experience indicate that most of these cases are not true acid reflux. It is merely diagnosed such because of the symptoms of vomiting. I believe, again, it is the result of all the gas pressure from the intestines pushing up against the stomach and diaphragm. In addition, over feeding the baby because of their crying, which parents mistake as a cry of hunger, also pushes the milk back up the esophagus with great force, causing vomiting.
One of the reasons I have come to this conclusion is because when an adult has true acid reflux, they will belch acid up the esophagus, which burns and tries to get into the lungs. What the adult does is sits straight up in bed, immediately coughs and usually drinks something to help relieve the discomfort. When babies spit their milk up, they don’t usually show any significant signs of discomfort as well as very little, if any, coughing. They can immediately go right back to drinking with no other symptoms.
What I have noticed is if there is an acid reflux issue, the baby will have episodes of gagging, will have some trouble swallowing for a short period of time, and sometimes they won’t want to eat for a while. If these symptoms do occur, your pediatrician does have some tests they can perform, but they are usually delayed for a while as they are intrusive and a tube has to be put down the baby’s throat. No one really wants to do this unless it is truly necessary. Many times parents must watch and wait while antacid medication is given to see if it will dissipate. It is always a good thing if a baby’s doctors can work together.
Do these medications work to eliminate the projectile vomiting?
I have seen that these medications tend to help a little at first but then lose effectiveness. I have found that once the colic has been corrected and the bloating and gas have been alleviated, the spitting up usually stops. Do I think that projectile vomiting and spit up is acid reflux? Most research I have read and my many years of experience indicate that most of these cases are not true acid reflux. It is merely diagnosed such because of the symptoms of vomiting. I believe, again, it is the result of all the gas pressure from the intestines pushing up against the stomach and diaphragm. In addition, over feeding the baby because of their crying, which parents mistake as a cry of hunger, also pushes the milk back up the esophagus with great force, causing vomiting.
One of the reasons I have come to this conclusion is because when an adult has true acid reflux, they will belch acid up the esophagus, which burns and tries to get into the lungs. What the adult does is sits straight up in bed, immediately coughs and usually drinks something to help relieve the discomfort. When babies spit their milk up, they don’t usually show any significant signs of discomfort as well as very little, if any, coughing. They can immediately go right back to drinking with no other symptoms.
What I have noticed is if there is an acid reflux issue, the baby will have episodes of gagging, will have some trouble swallowing for a short period of time, and sometimes they won’t want to eat for a while. If these symptoms do occur, your pediatrician does have some tests they can perform, but they are usually delayed for a while as they are intrusive and a tube has to be put down the baby’s throat. No one really wants to do this unless it is truly necessary. Many times parents must watch and wait while antacid medication is given to see if it will dissipate. It is always a good thing if a baby’s doctors can work together.