Why is my stomach having spasms
Ulcerative colitis occurs when the lining of your large intestine becomes inflamed. This inflammation produces tiny sores called ulcers on the lining of your colon. It usually begins in the rectum and spreads upward — sometimes involving your entire colon. The inflammation causes your bowel to move its contents rapidly and empty frequently.
As cells on the surface of the lining of your bowel die, ulcers form. The ulcers may cause bleeding and a discharge of mucus and pus. Both conditions can cause spasms and other associated symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, the urge to pass stool frequently, and even weight loss.
Intestinal spasms share many of the same symptoms as IBS which is why it is important to make an appointment with your doctor to determine the underlying cause of your condition. Too much gas in the intestines may lead to spasms as the muscles strain to let out the gas. Gastroenteritis is the inflammation of both the stomach and the intestines. The condition is usually caused by viruses, bacteria, or contaminated food food poisoning. Although painful and irritating, common acid reducing medication and probiotics can reduce intensity and frequency.
Working the abdominal muscles too hard or too often can lead to increased stomach and intestinal spasms. People who regularly do core exercises such as crunches and sit-ups are at a higher risk of experiencing spasms as a result. A hernia is a condition in which an organ or other structure protrudes through a weak part of tissue or muscle. Inguinal hernias are the most common type of a hernia and occur when part of the intestines protrudes through the abdominal muscles into the groin area.
This unnatural pressure can lead to more serious digestive related problems including intestinal spasms. Muscles require proper nutrition and hydration to function correctly. When nutrient deprived, muscles are forced to do the small amount of working off less energy, causing strain and pressure. Dehydration can cause an imbalance of electrolytes in the body, particularly sodium. Monitoring proper daily intakes of water and other vitamins can help everything running on par.
The condition is more common in women and people with a history of anxiety or depression. The most common causes of stomach spasms are benign. However, it can still cause a severe amount of discomfort and interruption of daily life. Many of the symptoms can be fixed with over-the-counter antacids or avoiding food triggers. Sometimes abdominal spasms are more intense when you lie down.
This commonly affects people with heartburn. Symptoms such as burning and cramping in the middle abdomen, regurgitation, and even coughing can wake you up in the middle of the night. Acute pancreatitis can also cause pain that worsens when you lie down. It may improve when you sit up or lean forward.
Sometimes the pain caused by gallstones or gallbladder disease feels worse when you lie down. This usually happens after you eat a big meal.
People diagnosed with acute pancreatitis should also be hospitalized for several days to receive IV fluids and possibly IV antibiotics to ease the inflammation. For those diagnosed with functional dyspepsia, antispasmodic medications such as dicycloverine and hyoscyamine are recommended.
If you require long-term treatment, your doctor may prescribe tricyclic antidepressants to control the spasms. If you have gallbladder disease , you may need to have surgery to remove your gallbladder. Stomach spasms caused by celiac disease or a gluten intolerance can be controlled by avoiding foods that contain gluten, such as bread, pasta, and cereal. Sometimes, pain in that area can be due to organs not in the abdomen, so a thorough medical and surgical history is also important.
But if you have heartburn, you can limit symptoms by:. See your doctor if your stomach spasms began gradually, are tolerable, and have lasted for a long time. You should also see your doctor if the pain is very mild and seems to be triggered by certain foods, drinks, or medications. They can help you identify what food and drinks you should avoid and suggest different medications that might be easier on your stomach.
Go to the ER if stomach spasms occur suddenly and are intolerable even after taking over-the-counter medications like Pepto-Bismol or Imodium.
Other concerning symptoms with intense stomach spasms include blood in your stool, fevers, chills, and yellowing of your skin and eyes. Questions may relate to diseases, illnesses, or conditions you may have or that may run in your family.
Your answers will help us provide you with medical information and identify services that may be relevant to your health. Buoy Health uses reasonable physical, technical, and administrative safeguards such as firewalls, encryption, identity management, and intrusion prevention and detection to protect your information.
We will not share your information with third parties unless you give your consent or unless permitted by applicable law. Try our AI assistant here. Informed by current CDC guidelines. Skip to main content Skip to accessibility services Buoy Logo. Nav Close Icon. Nav Open Icon.
Health articles Chevron Icon. Featured topics. Symptom checker. It could also be a result of a pinched nerve in your back, pinched artery, or even an ovarian mass, which could cause pinched nerves that present as leg cramps. Stay hydrated anywhere with this ultralight water purifier bottle from the Women's Health Boutique!
It turns out that you could have a problem in one part of the body, and feel its effects somewhere else entirely. Case in point: herniated disks. Although a herniated disk would occur in three spots along the spine the cervical area between the vertebrae in the neck, the thoracic area by the ribs, and the lumbar region above the pelvis , you could also feel its impact with burning and tingling symptoms down the leg. Weight Loss. United States. Type keyword s to search.