Nausea

Nausea in connection with cramps in the lower abdomen almost always has its origin in the intestinal area. It is often one of many symptoms of gastrointestinal flu, which is usually caused by coli bacteria or yersiniosis bacteria. Nevertheless, it is important, should the symptoms last longer and also be accompanied by weight loss, to consult a doctor to rule out a tumor disease. It can also be caused by food intolerances, or by a general wrong or bad diet. Nausea in connection with cramps in the lower abdomen can also be an indication of poisoning or a side effect of medication.

Gut

As mentioned above, it is often diseases of the intestines that lead to cramps in the lower abdomen. A distinction is made between left-sided pain, right-sided pain, pain in the middle of the lower abdomen and pain on both sides. This information is of great importance for the doctor when taking a medical history to determine the symptoms, the history, etc.

In this way it is possible to already exclude some diseases or to infer diseases. However, the final diagnosis always requires imaging procedures and a thorough examination by the doctor. It can be a chronic disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, but also a disease caused by bacteria that are very common, we also speak of acute intestinal diseases.

The three most common ones are shigellosis, yersiniosis and coli bacteria. Most people get infected with shigellosis when on vacation in tropical countries. Most other bacteria can also be found in Europe and usually cause cramp-like stomach aches.

Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome, or RDS for short, has several symptoms, which is why this disease is called syndrome. First and foremost, irritable bowel syndrome combines abdominal cramps and diarrhea. One usually speaks of an irritable bowel when all other possible diseases can be excluded.

The most common symptoms include abdominal cramps. They can occur to varying degrees. In addition, the stool habits change.

Many people who suffer from an irritable bowel tend to have diarrhoea. Others have constipation. When constipation occurs, the body absorbs too much water, so that the stool in the intestine dries out and is hardly deformable, making it impossible for the intestinal movement (peristalsis) to move it.

In people with irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea can last for several weeks to months and cause lasting damage to the bowel. Just as frequently, flatulence is found, which makes life considerably more difficult for the patient. The exact cause has not yet been clarified, rather there are many different possible triggers, above all stress and psychological overload.

Our gastrointestinal tract has its own nervous system, the enteric nervous system, which controls it. If this nervous system does not function as usual, an irritable bowel can be caused. Other possible causes are medication medication that is not tolerated, wrong eating habits, hypersensitivity and one sees a much stronger tendency to RDS in women than in men.

Definition
Symptoms
Causes

RDS is usually diagnosed by the exclusion procedure. First, patients are tested for all possible diseases and all possible examinations are performed. Only when these results are all negative, one can safely speak of an irritable bowel.

To exclude all other diseases, blood tests and stool samples are taken. Furthermore, a colonoscopy (endoscopy) can be performed, as well as ultrasound (sonography) or a CT (computer tomography). In addition, the doctor will take a proper and detailed anamnesis and examine the abdomen in detail by means of listening and tapping.

However, there are also indications – should all criteria be met that directly point to the irritable bowel syndrome. First, it is important that the symptoms occur or have occurred for 12 weeks.Then other important clues such as the change in stool consistency and the frequency of bowel movement are related to the onset of pain and whether or not relief of symptoms is or has been achieved through bowel movement. Depending on the nature of the symptoms, appropriate medication such as laxatives for constipation or painkillers can be administered.

Nutritional advice is also often given, as the right choice of food can reduce the symptoms in some patients. If a mental illness is underlying, it can be treated accordingly with therapies and/or psychotropic drugs. One can protect oneself against RDS to a certain extent by ensuring a balanced, healthy diet in advance, by taking enough time for oneself, by taking care of rest breaks and by sparing body and mind as much as possible.

The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can severely restrict and complicate the lives of those affected. Nevertheless, it is not a disease that can lead to death: Likewise, RDS does not cause any other diseases.

Diagnosis
Therapy
Prophylaxis
Prognosis