Abdominal spasms are a very common but also extremely complex clinical picture that can have at least as many causes as there are manifestations. Such abdominal spasms occur when the muscles in the abdomen and lower abdomen contract and cramp. In most cases, this is also very easy to feel from the outside: the entire abdomen is hardened, the abdominal wall itself is tense and does not give way.
In the majority of cases, spasms in the abdomen are a disturbing and unpleasant, but rather short-term and harmless clinical picture. They often occur in connection with increased stress in everyday life, food intolerances, allergies or other illnesses. During their periods, women very often suffer from abdominal and pelvic complaints.
Our intestine is actually a real high performance machine. Around the clock, even at night, while we sleep, it is active, moves and transports the food we eat forward. This rather weak, but continuous movement is called intestinal peristalsis in medical terminology.
If our digestive process is disturbed, if we cannot tolerate certain foods or if there was something spoiled, this intestinal peristalsis can be impaired and no longer run as smoothly as usual. The result: spasms in the abdomen. The causes are numerous.
Already quite normal harmless tension and excitement can affect the intestine, too fatty and rich food can also cause problems, just like allergies or even food intolerances, as well as all diarrheal diseases or even severe chronic intestinal diseases. In most cases the complaints turn out however as absolutely harmless and already after short time it goes to the concerning visibly better. One does not speak of spasms in the abdomen in the actual sense, but of colics, when the spasms that occur in the abdomen become stronger and stronger, but then also subside and/or disappear again.
The cause of such extremely unpleasant colic is usually stones, preferably in the bile ducts (the so-called gallstones). Depending on what is ultimately the cause of the spasms in the abdomen, a wide variety of accompanying symptoms can occur: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or even constipation (known as diarrhea and constipation in the technical jargon), a bloated abdomen and flatulence (or the exact opposite, wind), up to and including fever or blood in the stool. Especially if the spasms in the abdomen last longer than usual or have the colicky character described above, it is advisable to consult a doctor and have the exact cause of the complaints clarified. The doctor will primarily focus on the patient’s medical history and the course and development of the abdominal spasms in order to make a suspected diagnosis. The reason for spasms in the abdomen can also be an infestation with tapeworms (the bovine tapeworm, for example), although this is extremely rare.
