What Causes Muscle Cramps In Your Stomach

What Causes Muscle Spasms

Idiopathic means that the exact cause is unknown, and thats the case with muscle spasms. Some experts believe that one of more of the following may be to blame in most cases:

• Not enough stretching.

Possible causes for nocturnal leg cramps , specifically, include:

• Sitting for long periods of time.
• Overusing the muscles.
• Standing or working on concrete floors.
• Sitting improperly.

How To Relieve The Spasms

It is never easy to deal with sudden muscle spasms in lower abdomen, but you can try certain remedies to manage things better.

Try Hot Water

Using a hot compress may help stop your abdominal cramping. You just need to take a bottle, fill it up with hot water, and place it over your stomach. You can also curl up in your bed with the bottle pressing on your stomach. Just take some rest and the hot compress will do its job.

Use Apple Cider Vinegar

You can treat your abdominal cramping by using apple cider vinegar , which improves your digestive system to relieve symptoms like gas or bloating. Simply add a tablespoon of ACV to a glass of lukewarm water and drink it slowly. You can improve its taste by adding a tablespoon of organic honey to the glass. Repeat every couple of hours until your abdominal cramps disappear.

Try Ginger

Ginger is one of the best roots to relieve muscle spasms in lower abdomen. It improves digestion and works great to relieve gas and bloating. Simply brew a pot of ginger tea and drink it slowly. The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger will make you feel better almost immediately after drinking. You can also take ginger supplements to improve your condition.

Make Use of Aloe Vera

Eat Some Plain Yogurt

Opt for Peppermint

Go for Chamomile Tea

Make Use of Lemons

What Are Muscle Spasms

Otherwise known as muscle cramps, spasms occur when your muscle involuntary and forcibly contracts uncontrollably and cant relax. These are very common and can affect any of your muscles. They can involve part or all of a muscle, or several muscles in a group. The most common sites for muscle spasms are the thighs, calves, feet, hands, arms and abdomen. When occurring in the calves, especially, such cramps are known as charley horses. A leg cramp that happens at night when youre at rest or asleep is called a nocturnal leg cramp.

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When To Contact A Medical Professional

Get medical help right away or call your local emergency number if you:

• Are currently being treated for cancer
• Are unable to pass stool, especially if you are also vomiting
• Are vomiting blood or have blood in your stool
• Have chest, neck, or shoulder pain
• Have sudden, sharp abdominal pain
• Have pain in, or between, your shoulder blades with nausea
• Have tenderness in your belly, or your belly is rigid and hard to the touch
• Are pregnant or could be pregnant
• Had a recent injury to your abdomen
• Have difficulty breathing

• Abdominal discomfort that lasts 1 week or longer
• Abdominal pain that does not improve in 24 to 48 hours, or becomes more severe and frequent and occurs with nausea and vomiting
• Bloating that persists for more than 2 days
• Burning sensation when you urinate or frequent urination
• Diarrhea for more than 5 days
• Fever, over 100°F for adults or 100.4°F for children, with pain
• Prolonged poor appetite
• Unexplained weight loss

Coping With Muscle Cramps: Why You Dont Have To Live With This Common Pain

Learn how simple self-care measures, such as gentle stretching, can help provide relief.

Has a muscle cramp ever woken you up in the middle of the night? Or stopped you in your tracks in the middle of an activity? Muscle cramps, or charley horses as they are sometimes called, are extremely common and occur when muscles involuntarily contract and cannot relax.

The most notorious sites for cramps are the calves, thighs and arch of the foot. Cramps in the hands, arms, abdomen and along the rib cage are also very common.

Cramps can affect any muscle under your control, explains Carolyn Quist, DO, an osteopathic physician from Fort Worth, Texas. When a person experiences a muscle cramp, the muscle that is cramping feels harder than normal to the touch or may even show visible signs of twitching.

Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or DOs, look beyond your symptoms to understand how lifestyle and environmental factors affect your well-being. They listen and partner with you to help prevent injury and encourage your bodys natural tendency toward self-healing.

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Signs And Symptoms Of Stomach Spasm

There is no sign of the onset of stomach spasms, but they can be accompanied by other symptoms. The tightening and contracting of these muscles can be felt as a twinge or pain. To determine the cause, some of the symptoms to look for are:

• Satiety
• Fever
• Severe sweating

Life-threatening health conditions may present stomach muscle spasms and should receive immediate medical attention. These spasms may be accompanied by any one of the following:

• Shortness of breath

Etiology Of Muscle Cramps

The most common types of leg cramps are

• Benign idiopathic leg cramps

• Exercise-associated muscle cramping

Although almost everyone has muscle cramps at some time, certain factors increase the risk and severity of cramps. They include the following:

• Tight calf muscles

• Dehydration

• Pain or loss of sensation in a peripheral nerve, plexus, or root distribution

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What Causes Intestinal Spasms

The digestive tract is made up of a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting tube that breaks down food into energy or waste. Foods journey begins in the mouth and travels down the esophagus into the stomach. When in the stomach, food then breaks down and all excess materials are sent through the small intestine, into the large intestine and then out of the anus. Along the way, gasses and other irritants can cause painful bloatingand cramps. This occurs when a spontaneous and sudden contraction of the muscles, called an intestinal spasm, causes the area to tighten and move irregularly. Normal contractions are rarely noticeable while intestinal spasms are often painful and obvious.

Stomach Spasms : Causes And Symptoms

Stomach spasms are involuntary contractions of the abdomen. During a stomach spasm, the muscle feels rigid and tense, and your stomach may feel tender to touch. Majority of spasms occur in the deepest layer of the stomach muscles that stabilizes your trunk.

There are a variety of reasons for muscle spasms. Understanding your cause of stomach spasms can help you prevent them and treat them more efficiently.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Muscle Spasms

Muscle spasms can feel like a stitch in the side or be agonizingly painful. You may see a twitch under your skin and it may feel hard to the touch. Spasms are involuntary. The muscles contract and it takes treatment and time for them to relax. They are very common, especially in older adults and athletes.

If the muscle spasm is severe, happens frequently, responds poorly to treatment and is not related to obvious causes, make an appointment with your healthcare provider. The spasms could be related to underlying factors.

When Should You See A Doctor

If you experience severe or chronic stomach cramps, see a doctor for further evaluation. As a rule of thumb, any symptom that seems unusual and persists for a long time should be addressed.

Make note of any other symptoms youre experiencing, such as indigestion, bloating, and excessive fatigue. You should seek immediate medical treatment if you experience stomach cramps along with:

• pain that suddenly gets worse
• dark, bloody, or tar-like stools

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Signs And Symptoms Of Stomach Spasms

Stomach spasms may be accompanied by other symptoms, depending on their underlying cause. Accompanying symptoms include abdominal pain, swelling of the abdomen, flatulence or belching, changes in bowel habits, diarrhea, constipation, discolored stool, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, pulsating mass in the abdomen, or rectal bleeding.

If stomach spasms are a result of cardiopulmonary condition, symptoms may include chest pains or pressure, and shortness of breath.

You may also notice bloody or pink urine, bulge in the groin or abdomen, fainting or changes in levels of consciousness, fever, and sweating.

Chest pains, difficulty walking, high fever, severe abdominal pain, and shortness of breath or rapid heart rate should prompt you to seek medical attention right away.

When Should I Go To The Emergency Department

Back spasms are sometimes a symptom of a serious condition. See your healthcare provider right away if you also experience:

• Loss of bladder or bowel control.
• Muscle weakness in arms or legs.
• Odd sensations or numbness or weakness on one side of your body.
• Loss of balance and coordination.
• Loss of a sense of feeling in a limb/limbs.

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When Should I See My Healthcare Provider About My Muscle Spasms

See your healthcare provider if the spasms are unbearably painful, happen frequently or last for a long time. Also, talk to your healthcare provider right away if you have the following symptoms in addition:

• Significant pain.
• Swelling or numbness in the leg.
• Changes in the skin of your leg.
• Waking up over and over again with leg cramps.
• If your leg cramps are stopping you from getting enough sleep.
• If you have fluid abnormalities or electrolyte imbalances that youre aware of.

See your healthcare provider immediately if youre concerned that your muscle spasms are a symptom of an underlying serious medical condition.

How Are Back Spasms Evaluated And Diagnosed

After talking to you about your symptoms and getting a list of your medications, your healthcare provider may ask about your entire medical history. Be sure to mention any trauma to your back. Your provider may diagnose your back spasms based on the symptoms you describe.

Which healthcare providers evaluate and diagnose back spasms?

You can see your primary healthcare provider about your back spasms. If needed, they may send you to a specialist.

What questions might a healthcare provider ask to help diagnose back spasms?

• What does the pain feel like?
• Where is the pain located?
• Have you ever loss control of your bowel or bladder?
• How long do the spasms last?
• How often do you have back spasms?
• Any stiffness?
• Do you get any tingling or numbness in your body?
• Do you ever feel weak or uncoordinated when youre having back spasms?
• What medications are you taking?

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Most Common Causes Of Muscle Cramps

There are several reasons nerve signals to the muscles malfunction and involuntary muscle contractions ensue:

What Causes Muscle Spasms In Lower Abdomen

A number of factors can go into causing muscle spasms in your abdominal region. Here are a few potential causes.

Infections

You may experience cramping and spasms due to different infections of the stomach and bowels. A common viral infection called infectious gastroenteritis may be responsible for it. Keep in mind that bacterial and protozoal infections can also cause gastroenteritis. Abdominal cramping may also be the result of food poisoning that irritates the stomach lining.

Irritation

You develop irritation in the stomach when you consume certain substances, such as alcohol or prescription drugs. The medical term used to refer to stomach inflammation is gastritis. The condition is usually caused by H. pylori infection, but it could also be due to an overuse of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Ulcers

When left untreated, gastritis can eventually lead to erosion of the stomach lining. There will be open sores called ulcers that can also affect your small intestine. This leads to the development of a disease called peptic ulcer disease .

Autoimmune Conditions

You are likely to experience muscle spasms in lower abdomen when you have an autoimmune condition like inflammatory bowel disease or Crohn’s disease. Autoimmune gastritis may also cause spasms and cramping because the condition makes your immune system to target and destroy the stomach issue.

Toxins

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Stomach Cramps With Bloating

Stomach cramps with bloating are often caused by trapped wind, or constipation. This is a very common problem that can be embarrassing, but is easily dealt with. Your pharmacist will be able to recommend a product, which can be bought over the counter to treat the problem. If problems persist, you should see your GP.

Urgent Advice: Speak To Your Gp As Soon As Possible If:

• you have severe abdominal pain, especially if it’s concentrated in one area
• the pain starts suddenly or unexpectedly

If your GP is closed, phone 111.

Serious causes of sudden severe abdominal pain include:

• appendicitis the swelling of the appendix means your appendix will need to be removed
• a bleeding or perforated stomach ulcer
• acute cholecystitis inflammation of the gallbladder, which may need to be removed
• kidney stones small stones may be passed out in your urine, but larger stones may block the kidney tubes, and you’ll need to go to hospital to have them broken up
• diverticulitis inflammation of the small pouches in the bowel that sometimes requires treatment with antibiotics in hospital

If your GP suspects you have one of these conditions, they may refer you to hospital immediately.

Sudden and severe pain in your abdomen can also sometimes be caused by an infection of the stomach and bowel . It may also be caused by a pulled muscle in your abdomen or by an injury.

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Muscle Cramp Associated With Medical Conditions

Certain diseases or conditions may increase the risk of muscle cramp, including:

• Atherosclerosis a condition characterised by narrowed arteries due to the formation of fatty plaques. Muscles are more likely to cramp if their blood supply is inadequate.
• Sciatica pain in the buttock and leg caused by pressure on nerves in the lower back. In some cases, the irritated nerve may prompt the associated muscles to contract.
• Medications some medical conditions require the regular use of fluid pills . These drugs can interfere with the bodys mineral balance and contribute to cramping.

Sudden Stomach Cramps With Diarrhoea

If your stomach cramps have started recently and you also have diarrhoea, the cause may be a tummy bug . This means you have a viral or bacterial infection of the stomach and bowel. It should get better without treatment after a few days.

Gastroenteritis may be caused by:

• coming into close contact with someone who’s infected
• eating contaminated food

If you have repeated bouts of stomach cramps and diarrhoea, you may have a long-term condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome .

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How To Manage Dehydration Cramps

Dehydration cramps can be uncomfortable. Plus, they can reduce performance and increase the risk of injury, whether youre working out or hard at work on a job site. By staying hydrated, you can manage dehydration and avoid muscle cramps and stomach cramps.

Dehydration is a leading cause of muscle cramps. Thus, the best way to avoid dehydration cramps is to avoid dehydration in the first place. If you think dehydration is causing your muscle or stomach cramps, reach for an oral rehydration solution like DripDrop ORS.

DripDrop ORS was created by a doctor on a mission to defeat mild dehydration to moderate dehydration fast. It contains a precise balance of sodium electrolytes and glucose that activate whats known as the sodium-glucose cotransport system. Glucose makes it easier for your body to absorb vital electrolytes, while sodium helps to support water retention. Combined, theyre a powerful and effective way to fend off dehydration.

The patented formula provides medically relevant electrolyte levels, exceeding the World Health Organizations Oral Rehydration Solution standards. By comparison, sports drinks contain about one-third the electrolytes of DripDrop ORS and twice as much sugar. DripDrop ORS gives you a medically viable ORS that also tastes great. Try refreshing flavors like Berry and Watermelon.

Why Does Your Stomach Hurt

Stomach cramps can range from mild achiness to severe, stabbing pain.

Common causes of stomach cramps include eating foods that can irritate your stomach, constipation, food poisoning, or a stomach infection. People who have anxiety may also develop stomach cramps.

Pregnant people may experience stomach cramps as the fetus grows. Menstrual cramps are also very common, though they actually take place in the uterus.

Sometimes stomach cramps are constant. In this case, a chronic digestive illness, such as irritable bowel disease, may be the cause.

Most stomach cramps go away on their own within a few hours or a couple of days. Changing what you eat and taking over-the-counter medication can help with symptoms while you recover.

Some stomach cramps may require medical attention. You should be concerned about stomach cramps if they last for a week or longer or are so severe that you cant function, or you also have symptoms like fever or blood in your vomit or stool.

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Inadequate Stretching And Muscle Fatigue

Muscles are bundles of fibers that contract and expand to produce movement. A regular program of stretching lengthens muscle fibers so they can contract and tighten more vigorously when you exercise. When your body is poorly conditioned, you are more likely to experience muscle fatigue, which can alter spinal neural reflex activity. Overexertion depletes a muscle’s oxygen supply, leading to build up of waste product and spasm. When a cramp begins, the spinal cord stimulates the muscle to keep contracting.

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• Overexerting during work or exercise
• Taking certain medications

Muscle cramps are very common among endurance athletes, such as marathon runners and triathletes, and older people who perform strenuous physical activities.

• Athletes are more likely to get cramps in the preseason when the body is not conditioned and therefore more subject to fatigue. Cramps often develop near the end of intense or prolonged exercise, or 4 to 6 hours later.
• Older people are more susceptible to muscle cramps due to normal muscle loss that begins in the mid-40s and accelerates with inactivity. As you age, your muscles cannot work as hard or as quickly as they used to. The body also loses some of its sense of thirst and its ability to sense and respond to changes in temperature.