What Are Stomach Cramps Caused From

What Are The Potential Complications Of Stomach Cramps

Complications associated with stomach cramps can be progressive and vary depending on the underlying cause. Because stomach cramps can be due to serious diseases, failure to seek treatment can result in complications and permanent damage.

It is important to visit your healthcare provider when you have persistent stomach cramps or other unusual symptoms. Once the underlying cause is diagnosed, following the treatment plan outlined by your doctor can help reduce any potential complications including:

• Dehydration due to a decreased desire to drink fluids or fluid loss due to diarrhea and fever

• Hepatic encephalopathy

• Poor nutrition and vitamin deficiencies due to a decreased desire to eat

• Spread of cancer

When To Call The Doctor About Abdominal Pain

If your abdominal pain is serious, doesn’t go away, or keeps coming back, talk to your doctor. Call 911 right away if your belly hurts because you had a recent injury there or if you have any chest pain.

You should also contact your doctor as soon as you can if you have symptoms along with the pain, such as:

• Can’t keep food down for more than 2 days
• Signs you’re getting dehydrated, including not urinating frequently, dark-colored urine, and being very thirsty
• Can’t have a bowel movement, especially if you’re also vomiting
• Pain when you pee, or you need to urinate often

Also call your doctor if:

• Your belly is tender to the touch
• Pain lasts more than a few hours

You may have other symptoms that could be a sign of a problem inside your body that needs treatment as soon as possible. Get medical care right away if you have abdominal pain and you also:

• Have unexplained weight loss

Symptoms: How To Know If Ibs Is Causing Your Stomach Cramps And Gas:

Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by 30048-8/fulltext?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2F” rel=”nofollow”> reference):

• Abdominal pain that occurs at least one day per week in the past 3 months :
• The onset stomach cramps have to be associated with at least 2 of:
• Defecation: defecation may improve your abdominal pain .
• Change in your stool form: the stool becomes harder or softer.
• Change in stool frequency: onset of stomach cramps is associated with diarrhea, constipation, or a mix of both.

Although Gas is not in the ROME IV of diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome, it is one of the most frequent features of irritable bowel syndrome. Gas and bloating are more common in people with IBS with constipation or mixed type.

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Where Is The Pain

Doctors and other health professionals will first ask you where you feel the pain. Pain above the umbilicus but below the ribcage on the right may be gallstone pain. Gallstone pain may spread to the right shoulder or the back.

Pain from kidney stones is felt in the right side or left side, more in the back than the front of the abdomen, and tends to radiate downwards into the groin on the same side.

Pain in the very centre of the abdomen is more likely to be coming from the intestines, however in males, testicular pain is also felt in the centre of the abdomen.

What Are Other Triggers Of Stomach Pain And Gastrointestinal Cramps

As already mentioned, disturbed motility or hypersensitive nerves are two of the underlying mechanisms, which may be responsible for the development of symptoms in the gastrointestinal tract. These dysfunctions are, next to others, causes of an irritable stomach or irritable bowel syndrome, which are both functional gastrointestinal disorders for which no underlying organic cause can be diagnosed. Functional gastrointestinal disorders like irritable stomach and irritable bowel syndrome are characterized by symptoms like early satiety, fullness, bloating or abdominal pain.

For instance, if the nerves are hypersensitive to irritation, natural physical processes such as movement or filling of the stomach and intestines are perceived as too intense and the signals are transmitted to the brain via the sensory receptors and the nerves. The brain receives these signals, which the patient perceives as stomach pain in the upper abdomen or intestinal cramps around the navel.

A disturbed motility with slack or too tense stomach muscles can also lead to abdominal pain. If severely tense muscles are additionally stretched, for example through ingested food, the pain receptors may be irritated.

In addition, overproduction of gastric acids or even hypersensitivity to gastric acids may cause the gastric mucosa to become unbalanced. This irritation can also lead to pain perception.

Furthermore, the following factors or diseases may be responsible for gastrointestinal spasms:

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Symptoms Related To Stomach Pain

The symptoms that come with stomach pain depend on whats causing the stomach pain.

For example, if the stomach pain comes with symptoms like loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, the problem could be gastroenteritis or food poisoning.

Stomach cramps and general stomach pain might be associated with food intolerance, excess wind, indigestion and bloating.

Tummy pain that doesnt go away could be constipation or a urinary tract infection. Children with a urinary tract infection might also have pain when doing a wee and be doing more wees than normal. They might also have a fever, be vomiting and feel irritable.

Tummy pain might also be associated with pneumonia or other respiratory infections. In this case, your child will probably also have a fever, cough and possibly a sore throat.

A sore tummy is more likely to be a sign of something serious if it wakes your child up, or if the pain is in a specific area of the abdomen, away from your childs belly button. For example, in appendicitis, the pain is usually sharp, and the pain often starts in the middle then moves to the lower right section of the abdomen. Your child might also have fever, loss of appetite and vomiting.

With all types of stomach pain, theres a risk that your child will become dehydrated. You should watch for signs of dehydration, including sunken eyes, less urination than usual, lethargy and weight loss.

What To Expect At Your Office Visit

Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms and medical history. Your specific symptoms, the location of pain and when it occurs will help your provider detect the cause.

LOCATION OF YOUR PAIN

• Where do you feel the pain?
• Is it all over or in one spot?
• Does the pain move into your back, groin, or down your legs?

TYPE AND INTENSITY OF YOUR PAIN

• Is the pain severe, sharp, or cramping?
• Do you have it all the time, or does it come and go?
• Does the pain wake you up at night?

HISTORY OF YOUR PAIN

• Have you had similar pain in the past? How long has each episode lasted?
• When does the pain occur? For example, after meals or during menstruation?
• What makes the pain worse? For example, eating, stress, or lying down?
• What makes the pain better? For example, drinking milk, having a bowel movement, or taking an antacid?
• What medicines are you taking?

OTHER MEDICAL HISTORY

• Have you had a recent injury?
• Are you pregnant?

• Kidney function

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Causes Of Abdominal Pain And Diarrhea In Pregnant People

Pregnant people are especially prone to abdominal pain and diarrhea. One common reason is that many people make changes to their diet when they find out theyre pregnant. This can cause digestive trouble.

If youre pregnant, you may also start having sensitivities to particular foods. This can include foods you eat on a regular basis, resulting in abdominal pain and diarrhea. On top of that, hormone changes in your reproductive system that occur during pregnancy may also cause these symptoms.

Seek medical help if youre having abdominal pain and diarrhea that last for 3 days, if the pain grows increasingly worse over a 24-hour period, or if its accompanied by any of these symptoms:

• frequent nausea or vomiting
• a sustained fever of 101°F for adults or 100.4°F for children
• stool that contains blood or dried blood, which looks like wet coffee grounds
• an inability to keep food down
• extreme thirst or dry mouth
• an inability to speak or see
• mental confusion or loss of consciousness
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• swelling of the genitals
• external bleeding

Diarrhea can be more dangerous for infants, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. In these cases, discuss symptoms with a doctor.

If you dont have a primary care doctor, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.

List Of Natural And Home Remedies For Adults And Children For Diarrhea

Treatments for Adults

• Adults should drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
• Replenishing water loss is important. Avoid milk as it can make diarrhea worse. Sports beverages can be beneficial because they replenish electrolytes in addition to providing hydration.
• If the patient is able to eat, avoid greasy or fatty foods. Adults, infants, toddlers, and children should be encouraged to follow the BRAT diet . The BRAT diet is a combination of foods to eat to treat diarrhea. If diarrhea is accompanied by nausea, have the person suck on ice chips until the nausea stops. After the diarrhea subsides, avoid alcoholic beverages and spicy foods for two additional days.
• Individuals may be able to continue their usual activities if they are mildly ill with diarrhea however, strenuous exercise should be avoided because exercise increases the risk of dehydration.
• If you are pregnant women and have diarrhea make sure to rehydrate to avoid dehydration, and consult your doctor.

Treatments for Toddlers and Children

Dehydration in children and toddlers can be a great concern. Loose stools are more common in breastfed newborns than in formula-fed babies, so check with your doctor about to expect for your child.

Are herbs safe to take for diarrhea?

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Liver And Gallbladder Issues

Pain in the upper right stomach that comes and goes could signal a problem with the gallbladder, such as gallstones.

Gallstones can block the ducts of the gallbladder, making digestion more difficult. This causes pain shortly after eating, especially after very fatty meals. People with gallstones may notice that the pain appears a few hours after eating, lasts for 46 hours, and then disappears.

Gallstones sometimes pass on their own. If they do not, they can block the biliary ducts, which can affect liver function. Untreated gallstones may also cause problems with the pancreas.

If a person experiences vomiting, pale stool, or a fever along with symptoms of gallstones, they should seek emergency medical treatment.

Otherwise, see a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment plan. Home treatment is not effective for gallstones.

Acid Reflux And Indigestion

The backward flow of the stomach juices into the esophagus causes symptoms like heartburn and nausea. Stomach pain is usually not present unless there is gastritis or the acid reflux occurs as part of indigestion. The problems is usually with a dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter which normally prevents backward flow of the stomach juices. In indigestion there are additional symptoms like bloating.

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Meaning Of Nausea And Stomach Cramps

Both nausea and stomach cramps are symptoms. It occurs with several different diseases. Nausea is a sensation of wanting to vomit although a person may not always vomit even with intense nausea. Sometimes vague digestive symptoms are also described as nausea. Stomach cramps is a muscular type of pain that is felt in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, including under pain under the left ribcage. However, many people refer to the entire abdomen as the stomach so stomach cramps could therefore refer to abdominal cramps.

A problem in the upper digestive tract usually gives rise to nausea and stomach cramps. However, it is not uncommon for disorders or diseases in other organs within the area of the stomach to also cause similar symptoms. Apart from diseases of the digestive or abdominal organs, both nausea and stomach cramps may also occur with anxiety and therefore be seen with related mental health disorders. Sometimes severe hunger can also cause nausea and stomach cramps, that are usually referred to as hunger pangs.

Stomach Or Peptic Ulcers

Ulcers or wounds that will not heal tend to cause severe and persistent abdominal pain. It can also lead to bloating, indigestion, and weight loss.

The most common causes of stomach and peptic ulcers are the bacteria H. pylori and the overuse or continued use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications .

If you would like to know more about stomach ulcers, click here.

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Causes Of Diarrhea After Eating

Having diarrhea right after you eat is called postprandial diarrhea. You might experience this for a few days, in which case it is acute, or you may have had it for a long time and it is a chronic condition.

Diarrhea after you eat can be caused by many things, ranging from the stomach flu to a more serious disease. So its important to bring any new or ongoing digestive symptom to your doctors attention so that you can get the treatment you need.

This article discusses several reasons why you may be having diarrhea after you eat. It also provides some steps you can try when you have diarrhea to help you feel better and possibly prevent more bouts of diarrhea in the future.

Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin

Common Causes Of Stomach Pain

Harmless abdominal pain usually subsides or goes away within two hours. Some of the common causes for stomach pain are from:

• Gas: Formed in the stomach and intestines as your body breaks down food, gas can cause general stomach pain and cramps. This often can be indicated by belching or flatulence.
• Bloating: Related to gas, bloating occurs when excess gas builds up in your digestive tract. Your stomach usually will feel full, and you may experience cramps.
• Constipation: This occurs when you are having difficulty making bowel movements. If you are having two or fewer bowel movements a week, constipation is the likely cause. In addition to feeling bloated and uncomfortable, you may experience cramping and pain in your rectum.
• Indigestion: This is typically experienced as an upset stomach, burning, or belly pain after eating.
• Stomach flu: Your stomach may hurt before each episode of vomiting or diarrhea.

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Treatment For Abdominal Pain In Adults

Your treatment depends on what is causing your pain, but may include:

• Pain relief â your pain may not go away fully with painkillers, but it should ease.
• Fluids â you may have fluids given into a vein to correct fluid loss and rest your bowel.
• Medicines â for example, you may be given something to stop you vomiting.
• Fasting â your doctor may ask you not to eat or drink anything until the cause of your pain is known.

A Summary Of Stomach Pain After Eating

There are many reasons why you might experience stomach pains after eating. Its likely that it isnt anything serious and it can be easily treated.

Its worth considering portion control and your food choices. However, if the problems persist it might be worth consulting your GP.

The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

27 April 2021

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Home Remedies For Stomach Cramps

Dietary and eating habit changes can help provide stomach cramps relief. To ease and prevent mild stomach cramps and promote digestive health, try the following:

• Drinking plenty of water throughout the day and with meals

• Eating smaller meals throughout the day

• Exercising regularly

• Increasing fiber in your diet by eating foods, such as beans, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains

• Limiting gas-producing foods, dairy, and fatty or fried foods

• Reducing the amount of air you swallow by avoiding straws, chewing thoroughly, eating slowly, and quitting smoking

Stomach Cramps And Diarrhea After Eating Signs Causes Treatment Prevention

Many factors can cause stomach discomfort or diarrhea after eating. Diarrhoea simply means having a loose or watery stool. According to research, most people experience diarrhoea or stomach discomfort once or twice every year. Typically, it lasts for less than three days, and its often treated with over-the-counter medicines. This condition is however very common and in most cases not serious. If you experience stomach cramps and diarrhea after eating and then it goes away, it means that it is caused by food.

You May Experience The Following Symptoms

• A Sudden need to have a bowel movement
• Nausea and vomiting

If you experience watery stool for a more extended period, you should drink more water. Diarrhea causes you to lose fluids, and if they are not replaced, you may become dehydrated thereby causing severe complications.

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Diagnosing Abdominal Pain And Diarrhea

To determine the cause of abdominal pain and diarrhea, a doctor will first perform a physical exam. Theyll also ask some questions about your health history and lifestyle.

Traveling to certain countries may increase your risk of digestive disease. Be sure to mention any recent trips overseas. The doctor will also ask questions about any recent changes in your diet.

A doctor may perform a stool culture, in which theyll send a sample of your feces to a lab to check for bacteria, viruses, and parasites. If this comes up negative, they may run a more complete analysis of your feces to look for possible digestive disorders.

Other common diagnostic tests include:

• Endoscopy. In an endoscopy, a doctor sends a camera down your throat and into your stomach to check for problems, such as ulcers and signs of celiac disease.
• Colonoscopy. A colonoscopy involves sending a camera into the rectum and intestines to check for signs of damage and signs of disease, such as ulcers and polyps.
• Lower GI tract radiography. In a lower GI tract radiography, also known as a barium enema, a technician will perform a real-time X-ray of the abdomen. This occurs after the doctor injects a barium-based contrast material into the rectum that can highlight intestinal obstructions and other conditions.

Medication can help treat the underlying condition causing your abdominal pain and diarrhea. If your symptoms are caused by stress or need to be managed, home remedies can help.