What helps best against intestinal cramps?

Introduction

Intestinal cramps are complaints that usually originate from the smooth muscles of the intestine. These muscles are needed to move the chyme through the digestive tract. The regulation of the intestinal musculature can be disturbed in the context of various diseases. This can cause intestinal cramps and other complaints such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. To treat the symptoms, home remedies and medications can be used to alleviate the symptoms and to fight the cause of the intestinal cramps.

These treatment options exist!

The treatment options for intestinal cramps are divided into different groups: There are drugs and remedies that act purely symptomatically and those that counteract the cause of the intestinal cramps. Symptomatic treatment options consist, for example, of applying heat to the abdomen. Sufficient fluid intake (especially if fluid loss through vomiting or diarrhoea is added) is also important.

Cramp-relieving or pain-relieving medication can also be used. If you take care to eat as little fibre-rich food as possible during intestinal cramps, you can temporarily spare the intestine and thus improve the symptoms. Other drugs such as magnesium, for example, counteract the cramping of the muscles and are therefore more likely to have a causative effect.

Causal therapies also include, for example, the treatment of underlying chronic diseases (e.g. chronic inflammatory bowel disease). The treatment of pathogens in the intestine is only partially possible, so there are hardly any drugs that work against viral pathogens. Bacteria, which appear as pathogens in the intestine, can be fought by means of antibiotics, but one catches however also the bacteria naturally occurring in the intestine and weakens the intestine therefore often more than that one fights the illness.

Warmth is a popular household remedy that is particularly effective against intestinal cramps. The warmth can be given thereby for example in form of a hot-water bottle from the outside on the belly. The heat improves the blood circulation in the warmed body part.

In the case of intestinal cramps, the improved blood circulation can relax the muscles. In addition, with improved blood circulation, the body is better able to fight the triggering cause. It is important when applying heat that the skin is not damaged in the process.

Thus a long and/or too hot application of heat can do more harm than good and cause further health problems. To bring warmth purposefully from the inside into the intestine is difficult, however warm teas can likewise work reassuringly on the intestine and help therefore likewise against intestine cramps. In some cases a therapy with cold is also felt as more pleasant.

Drugs can both trigger and counteract intestinal cramps. For example, there are many medications that upset the balance of neurotransmitters (substances required for the transport of information through nerves) or electrolytes (blood salts) and thus lead to increased abdominal cramps, depending on their severity. There are antispasmodic drugs, such as Buscopan, which relaxes the muscles.

Electrolytes can also be used to improve the muscles’ ability to relax. Strong painkillers such as opioids reduce the activity of the intestinal muscles and therefore help well against intestinal cramps. Buscopan is an active ingredient used to combat cramps in the digestive system.

In particular, the smooth muscles surrounding the gastrointestinal tract are affected by the active ingredient, resulting in muscle relaxation. Since intestinal cramps are triggered by a pronounced activity of the smooth muscles, Buscopan, as a so-called spasmolytic, is the drug of choice for intestinal cramps. Taking Buscopan not only relaxes the muscles (this leads to a reduction in cramps but also to a decrease in peristalsis, the natural movement of the bowel through which the food pulp is transported).

Also the secretion of digestive juices is inhibited by Buscopan. Magnesium is an electrolyte (blood salt) which develops its greatest effect in the muscular system. When the individual muscle fibers, for example those of the muscles in the intestinal wall, contract, magnesium is needed as a factor involved in releasing the connection between the individual strands.

In this way, magnesium again contributes to the relaxation of the musculature. If intestinal cramps occur, a lack of magnesium can be the cause.In this case, the important cofactor that allows the muscles to relax again is missing and a permanent contraction of the muscles occurs, which is perceived as muscle cramp. By taking magnesium this process can be interrupted, so that the intestinal cramps decrease.

Magnesium can also be taken as an antispasmodic for cramps of the so-called skeletal muscles (e.g. calf muscles). For intestinal cramps, the most effective household remedies are heat applications. For example, it helps to lie down with a hot water bottle.

This gives you physical peace and at the same time relaxes your mind. The warmth on the stomach increases the blood circulation and thus improves the relaxation of the cramping intestinal muscles. Warmth can also unfold its effect internally.

Herbal teas with peppermint, fennel and camomile are particularly helpful for intestinal cramps. In addition, the tea can be used to ensure a sufficient amount to drink, which additionally improves recovery after intestinal cramps. Soups (e.g. vegetable broth) can also alleviate the symptoms of intestinal cramps.

Soup can often also be used to absorb electrolytes (blood salts) that have been excreted, for example through accompanying vomiting or diarrhoea. Other household remedies that are well suited for intestinal cramps are vegetable oils. Thus one can take up to three times daily a half teaspoon camomile oil or sea buckthorn oil to itself, this has likewise a relaxing effect on the intestine.

For intestinal cramps, there are a variety of homeopathic remedies that can be taken against the complaints. Depending on the underlying cause, different active ingredients are used. If the intestinal cramps are due to a mixture of physical and psychological strain (stress), relaxing substances such as nux vomica, lycopodium and ignatia help best against the complaints.

In contrast, Bryonia can be used especially for constipation associated with the intestinal cramps. If, on the other hand, diarrhea presents itself as an accompanying symptom, it is better to use Colocynthis. The dose in which the remedies are best taken varies depending on the active ingredient and can usually be found in the sales package.

When using homeopathy, it is important to remember that the remedies can interact with each other and not only with each other. Even with classical medicines, harmful effects can occur if taken at the same time. For this reason, a doctor, pharmacist or homeopath should be consulted prior to use, who will include both homeopathic and classical medicines in his treatment plan.