Stomach Cramps and Diarrhea

Although stomach cramps may last for a few minutes, they can be quite hurting. Stomach cramps give a painful feeling due to involuntarily contraction of the stomach muscles. When these abnormal muscle contractions are followed by increased frequency in bowel movement (diarrhea), one cannot take it lightly as these are the symptoms of an underlying digestive disorder.

Causes

Many people experience stomach cramps and diarrhea in the morning. This is often the result of poor eating habits, too much alcohol or coffee consumption. Digestive disorders that cause these health issues are given below:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Abdominal cramping accompanied by lose motions is an indication of irritable bowel syndrome. IBS is an intestinal problem that can cause moderate to severe stomach pain. Diagnosed in 20% of the world's population, this intestinal disorder specifically targets the colon (the large intestine), that leads to digestion problems. Overeating and excess alcohol consumption are the primary contributory factors to IBS.

Bacterial Infections: Infections that target the digestive tract can also trigger health problems such as stomach ulcers. Abdominal cramps along with diarrhea are the common symptoms of a number of stomach ailments. People with stomach problems, often lose the desire to have food. Abdominal discomfort is often regarded as a precursor to stomach ulcers.

Colon Cancer: Persistent diarrhea followed by stomach cramps can also indicate colon cancer. Formation of cancerous growth in the colon often triggers chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain. Until the cancerous tumor becomes quite large, symptoms usually are mild, hence, go unnoticed. However, once the cancer spreads considerably rectal bleeding that may manifest in the form of bloody diarrhea, is often observed.

Crohn's Disease: When the digestive tract gets inflamed, the condition is referred to as Crohn's disease. The repercussions of Crohn's disease include loose stools and stomach discomfort. Sometimes, inflammation is detected in a specific portion of the digestive tract that leads to moderate abdominal pain and diarrhea. Crohn's disease sometimes trigger formation of small sores (open wounds) on the outside wall of the intestine. If timely treatment is not taken, the sores may spread to inner intestinal wall, which may decrease appetite, eventually causing significant weight loss. Inflammation of the tissue in the digestive tract is a cause for concern as ingestion of foods, especially hard foodstuffs such as toasts can injure the tissue and cause profuse bleeding. As a result, blood in stools might be detected during bowel evacuation.

Medications: Intake of certain medicines such as dexedrine, may also bring health problems such as watery stools and abdominal cramps. These side effects are generally observed when drugs such as dexedrine are abused. Overuse of prescription medications is one of the most common causes of abdominal cramps and frequent bowel movement.

Food Poisoning: Eating contaminated food items often cause food poisoning, which many times is not serious but can cause diarrhea and is accompanied by stomach cramps.

Maintaining good food hygiene (avoiding milk products) and following food safety practices such as cooking it properly is the mainstay of the treatment for stomach cramps and diarrhea. Keep in mind, that an appointment with the doctor is essential when these health issues keep recurring at short intervals. Even an intestinal obstruction can cause stomach upset and pain. Therefore, diagnosing the cause and treating it at the earliest will work in favor of the patient and prevent further complications.