Intestinal cramps are very painful complaints that often severely restrict the affected person’s everyday activities. They are usually wave-like pains, which are localised approximately from the navel downwards. The causes of these cramps can be manifold and accordingly vary in their severity, duration and severity. Some possible causes of intestinal cramps are listed below. For general information about abdominal cramps, see: Abdominal cramps
Causes
There are many different causes that can potentially underlie intestinal cramps. Only a doctor can often find out what the actual cause is, especially in the case of prolonged bowel cramps. Gastroenteritis: One cause of bowel cramps can be infectious gastroenteritis.
This is also known as “gastroenteritis” and can be caused by certain bacteria (Campylobacter, Salmonella) or viruses (Noroviruses, Rotaviruses, other enteroviruses). In addition to the abdominal pain, diarrhoea and/or vomiting are usually present. In most cases the symptoms subside after a few days.
However, not only gastroenteritis but also duodenitis (inflammation of the duodenum) can be the cause of intestinal cramps. Meteorism: A lot of air in the intestine can also lead to very unpleasant intestinal cramps. Due to stool or bends in the course of the intestine, the air can temporarily have difficulty escaping and can then cause the pain.
Typically, the symptoms improve as soon as stool or air has been expelled. The consumption of highly bulky foods can lead to increased development of intestinal gases. Associated intestinal cramps are then also more frequent.
Food intolerances: Persons who are allergic to certain foods can react with intestinal cramps, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting after eating them. This most frequently occurs in the case of an allergy to milk protein (lactose intolerance). The symptoms usually set in about 15 to 30 minutes after consumption of the protein-containing products, but at the latest after two hours.
In addition to the symptoms described above, sufferers often notice a strong rumbling in the abdomen, which is caused by the increased movement of the bowel. Chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases: The most important chronic inflammatory bowel diseases are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Both can cause intestinal cramps and are often accompanied by slimy or bloody diarrhoea.
Crohn’s disease, in particular, is often accompanied by fistula ducts or purulent abscesses in the anal region. Typically, the diseases progress in relapses. Appendicitis: Appendicitis can also cause intestinal cramps.
Usually the pain starts in the upper abdomen and moves to the right lower abdomen. A typical symptom is a pressure pain at certain points in the right lower abdomen (Lanz- and McBurney point). The contralateral pain of release is also considered a sign of acute appendicitis.
To do this, the examiner presses in the left lower abdomen and then releases the pain abruptly. This causes pain in the right lower abdomen in the case of appendicitis. Irritable bowel syndrome: Irritable bowel syndrome manifests itself by cramp-like abdominal pain, changing stool habits (constipation, diarrhoea, alternating), a feeling of fullness and flatulence.
These symptoms must persist for several months without any other organic cause being found in order to be called irritable bowel syndrome. Triggers are often stressful situations with strong psychological stress, but a precise cause for irritable bowel syndrome has not yet been found. In addition to the above-mentioned causes, the intestinal cramps can also be caused by other factors.
The intestine itself does not always have to be the cause of the complaints. An inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach, stomach ulcers, kidney stones, gallstones or cancer can also cause the supposed intestinal cramps. Intestinal obstruction (ileus): Intestinal obstruction can occur when the bowel is displaced by hard stool, foreign bodies or tumours, or when the bowel’s own movement is paralysed (for example, by certain drugs).
The first type is called mechanical ileus, the second type is called paralytic ileus. In both cases, intestinal obstruction can manifest itself as nausea, vomiting, stool retention and severe, cramp-like abdominal pain. In the case of a mechanical ileus, a speedy surgical intervention is usually indicated, as otherwise the intestinal parts may die off and tear (perforation).
This can lead to severe blood poisoning with fatal consequences. Intestinal cramps are often manifested by sudden onset of pain of varying intensity in the abdominal region. They can be so strong that the person affected cannot stand in an upright position, but has to tighten the legs reflexively. Depending on the cause of the cramps, they last for different lengths of time and can vary greatly in their severity. They can also be accompanied by other symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, fever, weight loss, general malaise, weakness, increased bowel sounds and flatulence.
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