Stomach cramps or abdominal cramps are severe, changing in intensity, stomach pain. They usually occur suddenly and unexpectedly, but they can also stop quickly. Stomach cramps can result from a wide variety of causes. Therefore, stomach cramps that occur should be thoroughly investigated.
What are stomach cramps?
Mostly cramping and sudden, severe stomach pain is also known as stomach cramps. Often, the cramping episodes are very brief but repeat at regular intervals. Mostly crampy and sudden severe stomach pain is also called stomach cramps. In most cases, the cramps, although very brief, repeat at more or less regular intervals. The intensity of the pain in stomach cramps is thus also described as waxing and waning. Occasionally, stomach cramps may also cause radiating pain in the chest and back. Stomach cramps often occur in conjunction with vomiting and diarrhea. However, they may also cause only a loss of appetite, stomach distention, or a feeling of tightness.
Causes
The causes of stomach cramps can vary widely. Often, an upset stomach or an infection of the gastrointestinal tract is the cause. But also an inflammation of the stomach lining, the so-called gastritis, can be causative for stomach cramps. This can either be caused by bacteria or medication or arise due to an autoimmune disease. Occasionally, stomach cramps also occur due to a disturbed movement of the stomach muscles, because digestion cannot be carried out properly. However, an existing food allergy or intolerance to certain foods can also manifest itself in severe stomach cramps. In bad cases, the cramps in the stomach can also be caused by a stomach ulcer or stomach cancer. But not only physical, but also psychological problems can be causative. Severe stress or dissatisfaction and problems with the social environment can cause stomach cramps.
Diseases with this symptom
- Gastrointestinal flu
- Drug addiction
- Gastritis inflammation
- Stomach cancer
- Food allergy
- Stomach ulcer
Course
Stomach cramps often lead to a strongly tense abdominal wall. Most often the abdomen is retracted, but in rare cases it is also balloon-like bloated. The cramping pain is often followed by severe fatigue in the affected person. Depending on the cause of the stomach cramps, the course can be very different. An infection or stomach upset usually goes away on its own. Especially if there was vomiting or diarrhea. In the case of a food allergy, the stomach cramps always recur as soon as the intolerant food is consumed. The severity of the pain may even increase as the allergy progresses. In the case of gastritis, the cause should be addressed as soon as possible. Otherwise, there is a risk of worsening stomach cramps or even chronic gastritis. However, untreated inflammation of the stomach lining can also degenerate into a stomach ulcer or cause stomach cancer.
Complications
Stomach cramps are a very general term that can have many causes. One very common cause of stomach cramps is a gastrointestinal infection. Often such an infection is associated with diarrhea, fever, and chills. A doctor does not necessarily have to be consulted in the case of such an infection. Only if there is no improvement after three to four days should the advice of a doctor be sought. Especially if a gastrointestinal infection causes the body to lose too much fluid, it can lead to serious complications. These complications manifest themselves in the form of mild to severe dizziness. It can even lead to a fainting spell. If the appendix is to blame for severe stomach cramps, a doctor should also be consulted urgently. Otherwise, there is a risk of rupture of the appendix, which can even be fatal. In the case of infections of all kinds, it is very important to drink enough fluids. Of course, this applies not only to a gastrointestinal infection, but also to stomach cramps in general. Drinks with a high carbon dioxide content should be avoided. Vitamin-rich juices or a still water are rather recommended at this point.
When should you go to the doctor?
Stomach cramps can vary in severity, so the affected person can first resort to free medicines or home remedies for mild to moderate pain. For this purpose, active substances that soothe the stomach are suitable. This includes, for example, chamomile tea. Greasy foods or foods that are heavy on the stomach should be avoided in any case. Otherwise, the individual symptoms can worsen considerably. If even your own home remedies do not help after one or two days, a doctor should be consulted urgently. Your own family doctor is the right address in such a case. A family doctor tries to diagnose what is causing the stomach cramps. In most cases, there is an infection affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Individual foods may also have hit the stomach of the affected person, causing stomach cramps and also watery diarrhea. These two symptoms should be treated by a doctor and with the help of appropriate medication. This prevents the disease from spreading further in the body. Sufficient fluid intake is also very important, because the body loses a lot of water during permanent diarrhea. However, stomach cramps should be able to be alleviated very quickly with the right treatment.
Treatment and therapy
Treatment of stomach cramps must, of course, be carried out depending on the cause. Beforehand, however, another abdominal disease such as kidney stones or intestinal obstruction should be ruled out, as these may also show similar symptoms. In simple cases of stomach cramps, an initial attempt can be made to combat them by supplying external heat. Drinking chamomile or peppermint tea can also bring relief. If stomach cramps occur regularly due to irritation of the stomach lining or digestive problems, regular intake of sea buckthorn oil, caraway, fennel, ginger or coriander may be helpful. These home remedies are known to soothe the stomach. In case of a bacterial infection of the stomach lining, antibiotic treatment of this infection is necessary. Meanwhile, excessive stomach acid production is moderated by a proton pump inhibitor. If the bacterial infection has already led to a gastric ulcer, treatment with antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors must also be carried out here. This is usually enough to allow the ulcer to heal. However, even a gastric ulcer that has not developed due to a bacterial infection can be cured by inhibiting the production of gastric acid. If the stomach cramps are caused by a cancerous ulcer, it must be surgically removed. After the stomach heals, the stomach cramps can be expected to subside.
Outlook and prognosis
Usually, stomach cramps occur when there is an infection, a bad food, or an allergic reaction to a certain food. In these cases, stomach cramps relatively often go away on their own and therefore do not require additional treatment by a doctor. An infection of the gastrointestinal tract is often accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting, which are common symptoms of this disease. However, if the stomach cramps become unbearable and lead to very severe pain, a doctor must be consulted. This may be a serious infection, which must be treated by a doctor in any case. The treatment itself takes place in most cases with the help of medication, a surgical treatment is only necessary in the case of a very severe infection. In most cases, the infections can be fought with antibiotics, so that there are no further complaints. A normal everyday life is no longer possible with stomach cramps, so that the affected person usually cannot go to work. Ulcers or other inflammations in the stomach can also be responsible for the violent stomach cramps, which the doctor can diagnose with the help of a gastroscopy. These can be surgically removed.
Prevention
To prevent stomach cramps, irritation of the stomach should be prevented as much as possible. Excessive consumption of alcohol, medication (usually tablets), caffeine, tein or nicotine should therefore be prevented. But also too much stress and unpleasant company, which hits you on the stomach, should be avoided if possible.Furthermore, to calm the stomach, the above home remedies can be taken regularly to prevent stomach cramps.
This is what you can do yourself
In most cases, stomach cramps are caused by an intolerance, an allergy or an infection in the gastrointestinal tract. In these cases, the patient should definitely avoid the food that triggered the stomach cramps. It can take several days for the body to completely break down the ingredient and for the stomach cramps to disappear. It is not uncommon for the stomach cramps to be accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting. In these cases, an easily digestible diet is suitable for the stomach and the intake of plenty of fluids, otherwise the body becomes dehydrated due to the diarrhea. Painkillers or, for example, activated charcoal can also be used against the stomach cramps. Activated charcoal detoxifies the stomach. Painkillers should not be used for a long period of time. Equally good help against stomach cramps are herbal teas and a generally healthy diet. Heat can also be used to calm less severe stomach cramps. A hot water bottle is often used for this purpose. Cases If the cramps persist for a long time and lead to unbearable pain, a doctor should be consulted. It may be a serious infection or inflammation, which must be treated with antibiotics. In most cases, however, the stomach cramps disappear on their own. To speed up the healing process, the body should have a chance to rest and relax.
