When muscles in the stomach or intestines contract, stomach spasms occur. In intensity and length, these spasms can vary.
The majority of cases of stomach spasms do not affect the body, but they may suggest an underlying disorder that requires treatment.
In this post, read more about stomach spasms, including their causes and the treatment options available.
Ten most common reasons of stomach spasms
One of the below listed conditions could be responsible for your stomach spasms.
Stomach spasms may be caused by many potential causes, including gas, muscle pressure, irritable bowel syndrome, and constipation.
1. Constipation
Popular symptoms of constipation include cramps and spasms.
Additional signs include:
- Few bowel movements (typically less than three a week)
- Small or hard stools
- Bloating
- Difficulty in stool passing
2. Dehydration
An imbalance of electrolytes in the body (especially sodium and potassium) can cause dehydration. Muscles require these nutrients to function properly, so when they do not have enough, they may begin to seize up and spasm.
There are additional signs of dehydration:
- Dark urine
- Giddiness
- Feeling thirsty
- Mild to moderate Headache
3. Gas
As the muscles in the intestines strain to let out the gas, too much gas in the stomach can lead to spasms.
Also, excess gas can cause:
- Bloating
- Sensations of completeness
- Pains in the stomach
4. Gastritis and gastroenteritis
Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach, whereas inflammation of both the stomach and the intestines is involved in gastroenteritis.
Usually, these disorders are caused by infections.
The following symptoms can also result in gastritis and gastroenteritis:
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea (only in cases of gastroenteritis)
5. Ileus and gastroparesis
Thanks to wave-like muscle contractions called peristalsis, digested food passes through the body’s intestines.
If peristalsis slows down or ceases, it is referred to as an ileus.
Many things can cause ileus, including:
- Infections and infestation
- Inflammation
- Lack of physical activities
- Surgery
- Procedure
- Narcotics use
Some ileus signs include:
- Stomach pain
- Nausea and Vomiting
An ileus affecting the stomach is referred to as gastroparesis.
This can also cause spasms in the stomach, particularly after meals.
6. Infectious colitis
Inflammation of the colon (large intestine) leads to colitis.
Many forms of colitis exist. If an infection is responsible for the inflammation, it is referred to as infectious colitis.
The symptoms of infectious colitis, in addition to stomach spasms, include:
- Dehydration
- Diarrhea
- Frequent intestinal movements
It is possible to cause infectious colitis by consuming contaminated food or water containing pathogens such as E.Coli, Salmonella, or Giardia.
7. Inflammatory bowel disease
The term given to a group of chronic conditions involving digestive tract inflammation is called inflammatory bowel disease or IBD.
The most common IBD includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
The spasms and other symptoms are caused by both conditions, including:
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Tiredness
- Fever
- The urge to frequently pass stools
- Loss of weight
8. Irritable bowel syndrome
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the functional digestive disease, which means that the digestive tract doesn’t appear damaged, but still causes symptoms.
It affects 10 to 15 percent of individuals worldwide, making it the most common digestive functional disorder.
IBS causes, along with stomach spasms, to:
- Stomach pain
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Gas
9. Ischemic enteritis and colitis
Ischemic colitis means inadequate blood flow inducing inflammation of the large intestine.
When the small intestine is affected by this problem, it is called ischemic enteritis.
Both conditions contribute to spasms of the stomach and other symptoms, including:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Appetite loss
- Nausea
- Vomiting
10. Muscle strain
If you work out abdominal muscles too hard or too often, you may have stomach spasms.
People who do crunches and sit-ups daily may be most at risk.
Additional symptoms of muscle strain are:
- Pain that is exacerbated by movement
- Tender muscles
Spasms during pregnancy
Changes that take place in the body during pregnancy can lead to stomach spasms. Stomach spasms particularly during pregnancy in majority of the cases are not a cause for concern. But women who experience regular spasms or spasms that are painful should see a doctor.
The following can cause spasms during pregnancy:
False Labor
Body changes that occur during pregnancy can lead to spasms in the stomach. Most incidents of stomach spasms are not a cause for concern during pregnancy.
Women who have frequent spasms or painful spasms, however, should see a doctor.
In pregnant women, false labour contractions can be a source of stomach spasms.
Contractions usually begin in the third trimester, but in some situations, they may start in the second trimester.
False labour contractions are when, before relaxing, the uterine muscles relax and tighten for 30 seconds to 2 minutes. The contractions seem to be:
- Rare-occurring
- Abnormal in severity
- More inconvenient than painful
Instead of getting worse, contractions that ease up are more likely
Gas
As a result of elevated levels of the hormone progesterone in the body, many pregnant women feel gas.
Although progesterone is essential for a healthy pregnancy, it also induces relaxation of the intestinal muscles, which delays digestion and contributes to gas accumulation.
Stretching muscles
Throughout pregnancy, the stomach and uterus muscles stretch to accommodate the growing infant.
They can spasm slightly or cause twinges of pain as the muscles stretch. Some level of muscle pain and spasms is a common part of pregnancy, but immediate medical treatment is needed for pain that is serious or followed by bleeding or fever.
The baby moving
It may feel like a spasm when the growing baby kicks or moves, especially in the second trimester.
Typically, these kicks in the third trimester are sharper and more pronounced and would be distinct from a spasm.
Diagnosis
The root cause of stomach spasms can be diagnosed by a doctor based on:
- Physical testing
- Medical history
- Blood testing
- Imaging tests, such as an ultrasound or CT scan
They would also ask a person about their symptoms, when they began, and whether they have any causes for the spasms.
When to see a doctor
Stomach spasms will resolve on their own in many instances and are no cause for concern.
However, severe or frequent stomach spasms can indicate a more serious condition that should be investigated.
They should seek urgent medical attention if a person has any of the following symptoms:
- Loss of blood in the stool
- Chest pain
- Breathing problems
- Emotional pain because of spasms
- Fever
- Extreme discomfort
- Vomiting
- Skin which appears yellow
- Loss of weight
Treatment
The medicine used would depend on the underlying cause of the spasms in the stomach.
The categories of drugs that could be recommended include the following:
Antispasmodics – People suffering from IBS may feel relief from spasmodic pain when using these drugs.
Corticosteroids – Different forms of IBD can be treated with these medications.
Antacids or Proton pump inhibitors(PPIs) – These drugs decrease the levels of stomach acid that can lead to the spasms associated with gastritis.
Antibiotics.- These may be used to treat gastritis or gastroenteritis-causing bacterial infections.
Pain relievers – Different pain relievers may be used to improve pain releif
Prevention
The following measures will help avoid the occurrence of stomach spasms:
Drink lot of water – Dehydration leads to spasms in the stomach, so drinking enough fluids is essential. In hot weather and during intense exercise, higher levels of fluids may also be needed.
Exercising properly. Do not overwork the muscles, as this could lead to spasms and injuries. You can prevent spasms by correctly exercising, staying hydrated throughout, and scheduling regular rest periods.
Avoid problematic foods – It is known that certain foods cause intestinal discomfort and result in stomach spasms and other symptoms. Consider restricting the consumption of alcohol, spicy foods and high-fat foods.
People with gastritis, IBS, and IBD can find that their symptoms are relieved by making dietary changes. Limiting fibre intake, for instance, can minimise painful gases. Taking advice of a doctor or dietician to decide what to eat and what to avoid may be helpful.
Reference:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321096#when-to-see-a-doctor