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Constriction of your abdominal muscles (abs), stomach, or intestines causes stomach cramps. It may feel like a little muscle twitch or stomach cramps depending on whatever area of your body is spasming and how badly.
In most circumstances, stomach spasms are innocuous, but they may be a symptom of a more serious problem. Continue reading to learn more about the various causes of stomach spasms and when to consult a doctor.
Stomach spasms: What causes them?
Identifying the source of your stomach spasms can aid in the treatment of this problem.
1. Muscle ache
Your abdominal muscles may spasm if you overwork them. Spasms caused by muscle strain are most common in those who engage in rigorous and frequent exercise, particularly crunches and situps.
Other signs of muscle strain include:
soreness or pain in your abdominal region
Pain that worsens with movement
2. Dehydration
Dehydration induced by sweating, vomiting, and diarrhea can cause electrolyte loss, resulting in muscular spasms throughout your body, including your stomach. This occurs because muscles require electrolytes like calcium, potassium, and magnesium to function properly. Your muscles may begin to operate improperly and seize if they lack certain electrolytes. Learn how to recognize and treat an electrolyte imbalance.
Dehydration can also cause the following symptoms:
headaches caused by severe thirst
drowsiness and dark yellow urine
3. A gas
As your body tries to expel the gas, a buildup of gas in your stomach might cause your intestinal muscles to spasm. If you have gasoline, you may also have:
stomach distension or bloating strong stomach ache a feeling of fullness a desire to pass gas or burp.
4. IBD (Irritable Bowel Disease)
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC) are both chronic inflammatory illnesses. Crohn’s disease can affect any portion of the digestive tract, whereas UC affects only the colon. Inflammation can produce bowel spasms in both cases.
Other signs of inflammatory bowel disease include:
diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal cramps and soreness, exhaustion, night sweats, constipation, and a strong desire to use the restroom.
5. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
It does not induce intestinal tissue changes like inflammatory bowel disease, however, it does have similar symptoms, including:
Stomach ache or cramping bloating constipation
Gastroenteritis (sometimes constipation and diarrhea will alternate)
Gas
6. Gastritis and gastroenteritis
Gastritis and gastroenteritis are both stomach inflammations, but gastroenteritis also involves the intestines. These problems are frequently caused by infections such as Helicobacter pylori, Norwalk virus, and rotavirus.
Other symptoms of gastritis and gastroenteritis are as follows:
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (gastroenteritis only)
Stomach ache and bloating
7. Infectious colitis
Colitis can induce abdominal cramping because it irritates and inflames the colon, causing it to spasm. Clostridium, Salmonella, and E. coli are examples of bacteria that can cause colitis. Colitis can also be caused by parasites such as Giardia.
8. Ischemic enteritis and colitis are the most common causes of ischemia in the gastrointestinal tract.
Colitis is occasionally caused by a shortage of blood supply to the small bowel and colon. This form of colitis can also cause spasms.
9. Indigestion
When you have constipation, your bowels may cramp as they distend in reaction to the increasing pressure inside them.
10. Ileus
When your bowels become “lazy” or “sleepy,” you have an ileus. This can happen due to a variety of factors such as infection, inflammation, recent surgery (particularly in the abdomen), narcotic use, severe illness, and a lack of physical exercise. An ileus causes your bowels to fill with air and fluid, causing discomfort and suffering.
When should you see a doctor?
Most stomach spasms are innocuous and go away on their own. If your stomach spasms are uncomfortable or occur frequently, they may be an indication of a more serious medical problem. Consult your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms in addition to stomach spasms:
You’ve been vomiting blood in your bowel movements.
Strong discomfort, particularly in the chest, long-lasting or repeated stomach spasms fever shortness of breath
If your stomach spasms are interfering with your everyday life or giving you distress, you should consult a doctor.
Home treatments for quick relief
If you are bothered by stomach spasms, there are options to receive quick relief or cure them at home.
If you’re pregnant and experiencing stomach spasms, consult your doctor before attempting any home cures. Some home remedies may be unsafe to use during pregnancy.
When should you see a doctor?
Most stomach spasms are innocuous and go away on their own. If your stomach spasms are uncomfortable or occur frequently, they may be an indication of a more serious medical problem. Consult your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms in addition to stomach spasms:
You’ve been vomiting blood in your bowel movements.
strong discomfort, particularly in the chest, long-lasting or repeated stomach spasms fever shortness of breath
If your stomach spasms are interfering with your everyday life or giving you distress, you should consult a doctor.
Electrolytes
If your stomach cramps are caused by dehydration, replacing electrolytes may be beneficial. Consume a sports drink, such as Gatorade, or eat a banana.
However, if you have a history of kidney failure, use caution because several electrolytes, notable potassium, can reach dangerously high levels when supplemented.
Furthermore, if you experience dizziness or pass out due to dehydration, you’ve lost a large amount of body fluid. Seek quick treatment in the local emergency room for an intravenous fluid replacement to prevent shock and damage to your heart, liver, brain, and kidneys.
Anti-inflammatories
If your stomach spasms are severe, you can take over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
You must use caution when using over-the-counter pain relievers. Excessive usage of ibuprofen and similar medicines can result in stomach ulcers and renal damage. In excessive doses, acetaminophen can induce liver damage and possibly liver failure. If you believe you need to take more of these medications than the advised dosage on the package, speak with your doctor.
Antacids
Stomach acid can cause gastritis, which can lead to spasms in the stomach. Antacids or over-the-counter proton pump inhibitors can ease your spasms by lowering stomach acid in these circumstances.
Rest
If your spasms are caused by muscle strain, reducing your workout and relaxing your stomach muscles will help you stop them.
Keeping stomach cramps at bay
If your stomach spasms are caused by a condition such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), treating the underlying cause is the best way to prevent stomach spasms. Here are some things you can do to avoid stomach spasms caused by muscle strain, gas, or dehydration:
Exercise properly. Exerting out your muscles can be beneficial to your health, but working them too hard or incorrectly can result in injury. Always use good form and take breaks as needed.
Keep hydrated. Dehydration can cause electrolyte loss, which can result in stomach spasms. Keeping hydrated, as a result, can aid in the reduction of spasms.
Changing your diet may aid in the prevention of stomach spasms caused by gas, gastritis, IBS, and inflammatory bowel disease.
If your stomach spasms are caused by gas, decreasing your fiber intake may assist. Consuming fiber can benefit patients who suffer from constipation as a result of IBS or gastritis.
Consume alcohol in moderation.
Spicy foods, which might irritate your stomach and aggravate spasms, should be avoided.
Fatty meals, which can exacerbate symptoms in these circumstances, should be avoided.
If you have inflammatory bowel disease, consult your doctor to determine the safest foods for you to consume.
CONCLUSION, The prognosis for stomach cramps
Stomach spasms can sometimes be triggered by natural muscular action and are frequently caused by disorders that can be treated at home.
However, they can occasionally be an indication of an issue that necessitates the attention of a doctor. If your stomach spasms are severe, chronic, or last more than a few days, or if you have a fever, blood in your stool or vomitus, or persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, you should visit a doctor.
