Therapy

The therapy of the intestinal cramps depends on the respective cause. Infectious gastroenteritis usually improves within a few days even without treatment. The only thing to be ensured is a sufficient supply of fluids and electrolytes.

In rare cases, the use of an antibiotic may be necessary in the case of a bacterial infection. Surgical interventions may be necessary for malignant diseases, stone diseases and intestinal obstructions. Appendicitis is also treated surgically in most cases.

Otherwise, conservative therapy is usually carried out. In the case of cramp-like complaints, heat can be helpful to relieve them. If a food allergy triggers the intestinal cramps, these foods should be avoided if possible.

Sometimes the doctor will prescribe antispasmodic medication which can help to relieve the symptoms. How bowel cramps are treated depends largely on the underlying cause. Some diseases that cause bowel cramps can only be influenced slightly by medication, while others improve quickly without the use of medication.

However, the pain associated with bowel cramps can be treated with painkillers such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen or metamizole for almost every type of bowel cramp. These drugs work well for bowel cramps caused by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract – for example, in a gastrointestinal infection or chronic inflammatory bowel disease. In addition, the antispasmodic butylscopalamine, known to many as “Buscopan” or “Spasman”, can be used.

It relaxes the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract and thus counteracts the pain-producing stimulus. It should be noted that pregnant women, nursing mothers and people with heart failure should not take this medicine or should only take it under special circumstances. If intestinal cramps occur in the context of an irritable bowel, so-called probiotics can help.

These are foods or drugs that contain benign strains of bacteria such as bifidobacteria or lactobacteria. After multiplying in the intestine, these can stabilise the intestinal flora and alleviate intestinal cramps. In some cases, linaclotide, a recently approved drug with digestive and pain-relieving properties, can also relieve irritable bowel symptoms.

If dangerous causes for the intestinal cramps are ruled out, the homeopathic approach to alleviating the symptoms can be useful in addition to the conventional medical approach. It should be remembered that studies have not yet been able to prove the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies, even though they are described as helpful in individual reports. Remedies that are frequently used for intestinal cramps are magnesium phosphoricum, belladonna, Carbo vegetabilis and preparations containing camomile.

Prophylaxis

There is no direct prophylaxis to avoid intestinal cramps. However, if the trigger causing the symptoms is known, it should be avoided if possible. Especially in the case of stress-related intestinal cramps, it is helpful to find enough balance in one’s leisure time in addition to the psychological strain.

Physical exercise is particularly suitable for this. A healthy, not too fat-rich diet with a high fibre content also helps to promote and maintain normal digestive activity. Care should be taken to ensure a sufficient fluid intake of at least 2l per day. In general, it is also advisable to abstain from alcohol and nicotine in order to practice a healthy lifestyle.