Flatulence | Abdominal cramps

Flatulence

Flatulence is a common side effect of abdominal cramps. They are mostly caused by naturally occurring intestinal bacteria, which produce more gases during difficult digestion, which then escape through the anus. The flatulence can also be accompanied by diarrhoea or constipation.

Nausea

Nausea is a typical symptom of gastrointestinal diseases, therefore it can often occur together with abdominal cramps. For example, an infection (gastroenteritis) often starts with abdominal pain and cramps and then leads to nausea and vomiting. Another cause could be irritable bowel syndrome.

Here, patients suffer from abdominal cramps, nausea, diarrhoea and sometimes constipation, especially after eating. This is an exclusion diagnosis, which means that irritable bowel syndrome is only diagnosed when all other possible causes have already been excluded. However, nausea is a frequent companion to abdominal cramps and therefore does not necessarily indicate a more serious disease of the gastrointestinal tract.

Diarrhoea

The situation is similar with diarrhoea. It is also often accompanied by abdominal cramps and can occur in addition to many of the above-mentioned causes. Diarrhoea is also a typical symptom of gastro-enteritis and it also occurs in irritable bowel syndrome.

Food intolerances, such as lactose intolerance, are also conceivable. Here too, if the diarrhoea gets worse or does not improve, it should be clarified by a doctor, but usually there is no serious illness. All further information on this topic can also be found at Abdominal cramps and diarrhoeaThe therapy of abdominal cramps depends on the cause.

Therapeutic measures should not only relieve the pain, but above all the cause should be found and combated. In general, abdominal cramps are harmless and do not require special therapy. Patients resort to different methods to alleviate abdominal cramps.

Relaxed lying down and warmth can bring about an alleviation of the cramps. Many teas such as camomile, caraway or peppermint tea can also relieve cramps. The right diet can prevent constipation, which can cause abdominal cramps.

It is important to drink enough, ideally 2-3 litres a day, and to eat a diet rich in fibre. Sufficient exercise is also important in the prevention and relief of constipation-related abdominal pain. If such measures do not bring about an improvement in the symptoms, medicinal treatment methods are used.

If the abdominal cramps are caused by constipation, laxatives are used. However, it should be noted that the laxatives have different mechanisms of action and therefore have different strengths. If they are used incorrectly, further discomfort can be caused by loss of fluid and nutrients and irritation of the intestines.

Laxatives can be used rectally as suppositories and enemas or taken orally as tablets. Laxatives are divided into lubricants, swelling agents, osmotic and saline laxatives, and anti-resorptive and secretory laxatives. In addition, the movement of the intestine can be increased by so-called prokinetics.

Paraffin oil and glycerol, which are usually both given as suppositories, act as lubricants by forming a lubricating film on the intestinal mucosa and thus facilitate stool excretion. Swelling agents include wheat bran and linseed. They act by absorbing water in the intestine and thus swelling.

Osmotic and saline laxatives such as lactulose, sorbitol or Epsom salts act by drawing water from the tissue into the intestine, so to speak. In this way, the bowel movement is made more fluid and can be excreted more easily. They can be administered either orally or rectally, although if administered orally the effect only sets in after a few hours.

Laxatives with anti-resorptive and secretagogous effects have the opposite effect. They do not draw the water out of the tissue, but ensure that the water is not absorbed by the tissue and remains in the intestinal lumen. The final effect is the same as with the osmotic laxatives.

The stool becomes more fluid and is therefore easier to excrete. If the abdominal cramps are caused by spasms or colic of the gastrointestinal tract, the use of butylscopolamine (Buscopan®) can help. This acts as a so-called parasympatholytic or muscarinic receptor antagonist.

In this way it relaxes the smooth muscles of the stomach and intestines. Mebeverine is also used for stomach cramps. Naturopathy has other substances that can be used for abdominal cramps and have an analgesic effect.

These phytopharmaceuticals include substances containing, for example, chamomile, fennel, caraway, aniseed or peppermint. For bacterial infections, antibiotics adapted to the respective germs are used. If the abdominal cramps are caused by an irritable bowel syndrome and accompanied by nausea, vomiting and constipation or diarrhoea, these complaints can only be treated symptomatically with medication.

If necessary, surgical therapy methods must also be used. For example, stone removal from the bile and ureter, as well as the removal of the gall bladder and appendix, are performed in a minimally invasive procedure. If possible, tumours are also removed surgically.