Severe Stomach Cramps

Painful muscular contractions in the stomach can occur due to many reasons, but understanding the right cause and proper diagnosis is essential for treatment. The sensation of the cramp-like pain in the stomach that you feel, is due to painful spasms in the intestine and needs proper cure. Constipation, viral infections, diarrhea and food poisoning can cause severe stomach cramps.

Common Causes

The causes of severe muscle spasms in the stomach may vary from minor reasons to serious problems. Let's learn about the different conditions that can cause cramping.

Viral Infections
Eating contaminated food can lead to food poisoning, which in turn causes viral infections. Common symptoms of viral infections are diarrhea, muscle spasms, constipation, nausea and vomiting. Infections like viral gastroenteritis or stomach flu, if left untreated, can lead to severe health problems.

Lactose Intolerance
Lactose is present in milk and dairy products. Certain people cannot tolerate lactose, as it is not easily digested in their body. Lactose intolerance can cause abdominal cramping in these people. Other symptoms include flatulence, bloating, nausea and diarrhea.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Lack of muscle coordination between the muscles of the bowels and nervous system causes irritable bowel syndrome. The symptoms of this digestive disorder are abdominal cramps, constipation, bloating and nausea. In the primary stages of irritable bowel syndrome, after defecation, the spasm goes but it comes back after sometime.

Diverticulosis
Diverticula are small sacs that form in the lining of the colon or large intestine. When these sacs become reddened and puffed up, it leads to diverticulitis. Constipation, bloating and cramping in the lower abdomen are some of the symptoms of this disease. Small holes or blockage in colon is also a cause of diverticulosis. If you are suffering from chronic symptoms, then consult a medical expert.

Gastritis
Painful swelling in the inner parts of the stomach, leads to a stomach disorder called gastritis. The perception of the pain is first felt above the navel and it moves down to form severe abdominal cramps. The final result of gastritis is stomach ulcer. Other symptoms of gastritis are nausea, diarrhea, bad breath and belching and stomach cramp-like pain.

Celiac Disease
In certain people, gluten is not easily digested in the body and causes gluten intolerance. Consuming gluten can cause damage to the small intestine, if one is suffering from celiac disease. In this disease, the small intestine lacks the ability to absorb nutrients and this leads to abdominal cramping, dehydration and fatigue.

Colon Cancer
Severe stomach pain can lead to colon cancer. Formation of a tumor in the colon causes bowel obstruction and the tumor does not allow blood movement through the colon. A severe blockage in colon can restrict the flow of solid, liquid and gas particles and it signifies the puncture of the bowel walls.

Other Causes
Pressure that is exerted on the walls of the abdomen while running may cause muscular contractions. The most probable cause of abdominal pain or cramps after eating, is due to the formation of stomach ulcers. Constipation, eating foods very fast, exercising after taking a meal, dehydration due to lack of fluids intake and many more factors could be the contributory factors. Whatever may be the case, if you are feeling the pain for more than two days, then just go to your nearest clinic and get it diagnosed.

Preventive Steps

You can always take preventive measures in the early stages of the cramping.

• Eat a healthy diet that includes fiber supplements and increase your fluid intake. Additionally, you can consume miller's bran with oatmeal.
• Keep yourself free from anxiety and stress.
• Exercises and yoga are useful to keep abdominal discomforts at bay.

Changes in your lifestyle by eating healthy and regular exercises will help you to lead a better life. Cramps in the stomach can be dealt with easily, provided you pay due attention to this condition in time.