ABSTRACT
Colic is neither a specific disease nor a diagnosis, but simply represents the behavioral manifestations of abdominal pain. Although colic is generally associated with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, diseases affecting other body systems can also cause pain that creates behavior similar to colic. These clinical signs can be difficult to differentiate from pain due to gastrointestinal disease. In addition, acute neurologic and muscular diseases may cause signs that can be confused with colic. These conditions are commonly referred to as “false colics.” A list of differential diagnoses of the most common causes of “false” colic is shown in Table 42-1.
