Cramps in the intestine without diarrhoea
Numerous diseases of the digestive tract can lead to intestinal cramps. If intestinal cramps occur without subsequent diarrhea, various causes can be considered. Irritable bowel syndrome can, but need not, be coupled with diarrhea.
The same applies to certain pathogens that cause a gastrointestinal infection without the typical symptoms of diarrhea. An appendicitis as well as an intestinal obstruction can be accompanied by stool. For example, diverticulosis, in which bulges form in the bowel, may only cause pain but not diarrhea.
Constipation also causes cramps in the bowel. This can be caused by a disorder of the intestinal muscles or the supplying nerves. In most cases, however, the cause remains unexplained. Some drugs can also have the side effect of triggering cramps in the intestine without diarrhoea.
Cramps in the intestine with diarrhoea
If intestinal cramps occur together with diarrhea, many different causes are possible. In the case of intolerance or allergy to certain foods, the intestine is not able to absorb or utilize them normally. As a result, it often reacts with cramps, since it is heavily loaded.
In addition, there is frequent, usually quite large amounts of diarrhea, since the digestive tract excretes the ingestible food. Accordingly, these foods should be avoided. In the case of lactose intolerance, for example, the missing enzyme can be replaced.
Furthermore, there are various infections that can lead to cramps in the intestine with diarrhoea. These include bacterial pathogens, such as salmonella, as well as viruses, such as the norovirus, or parasites, such as amoebas. Accordingly, various antibiotics, virustatics or agents to combat parasites are available for treatment. The so-called chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are also possible causes. Irritable bowel syndrome or various drugs can also be side effects that can lead to cramps in the bowel and diarrhea.
Intestinal cramps and blood in the stool
If intestinal cramps are accompanied by blood in the stool, there are several possible causes. In chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, blood in the stool can occur, usually in combination with diarrhea. Likewise, hemorrhoids, i.e. vascular and skin sacculations in the area of the anus, can lead to blood in the stool, which can cause intestinal cramps in parallel. However, the symptoms can also be an indication of a bowel cancer, which is why a physician should be consulted for clarification if they occur repeatedly.
