Stomach cramps with nausea

General

Stomach crampsassociated with a pronounced nausea can occur a first indication of a large number of underlying diseases be. For this reason, it is difficult to draw conclusions about the underlying problem based on the symptom complex “stomach cramps and nausea” alone.

Everyone suffers from more or less severe stomach cramps at least once in their life. In general, stomach upset is one of the most common symptoms. The localization of the symptoms can vary, depending on the underlying disease. Many of the affected patients report that the stomach cramps they feel often intensify during the night and become a sleep-robbing problem. For some of those affected, stomach cramps are even unbearable abdominal pain that can hardly be alleviated. In addition to the exact localization of the stomach cramps, the timing of their occurrence plays a decisive role in the search for the cause.
In addition, every patient who suffers from stomach cramps should be clarified whether the nausea occurs before or immediately after eating. Furthermore, you should pay attention to whether there are other symptoms (e.g. diarrhea or fever) in addition to stomach cramps and nausea.

causes

Stomach cramps can be caused by a variety of medical conditions. In most cases, the affected patient has a problem directly in the stomach area.
Abdominal pain that is perceived as stomach cramps can also be caused by other abdominal or chest organs.
nausea, Vomit and diarrhea belong to the common symptoms which occur in combination with severe stomach cramps.
Stomach cramps the at the same time as diarrhea appear have their cause mainly in the lower sections of the gastrointestinal tract. Important diseases that must be ruled out with this complex of symptoms are:

• Crohn's disease

• Celiac disease (Gluten intolerance)

• Bacterial and viral infections (Abdominal influenza)

• Irritable bowel syndrome

At Stomach cramps that occur in combination with severe nausea the underlying underlying disease is found in most cases in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract (for example in Duodenum or in stomach self). In order to get an initial indication of the cause of the stomach cramps, it must be clarified whether it is in addition to the nausea felt by the patient also vomits. In addition, the temporal relationship between food intake and onset of symptoms clarified become. The most common causes for the occurrence of the symptom complex "stomach cramps and nausea" are:

• Food poisoning:
  As Food poisoning one denotes diseases of the gastrointestinal tract caused by the Consumption of food that is contaminated or contaminated with bacterial pathogens caused. The most typical symptoms of food poisoning include above all severe stomach cramps, pronounced nausea and vomiting. In many cases, the affected patients also complain thin diarrhea.
• Inflammation of the gastric mucosa:
  The Inflammation of the stomach lining is probably the most common illness that leads to stomach cramps and nausea. The causes for the development of such inflammation of the gastric mucosa can be different. Bacterial Inflammations of the gastric mucous membranes are usually caused by the pathogen "Helicobacter pylori" caused. In addition, can prolonged stress Various physical dysregulations lead to the occurrence of gastric mucosal inflammation with stomach cramps and nausea. Especially the patients take a variety of medicines daily are particularly at risk of developing gastric mucosal inflammation. For this reason, for example Painkiller (Analgesics) in combination with a so-called Proton pump inhibitors (Stomach protection) should be taken.
• Abdominal influenza:
  The term "gastrointestinal flu" (gastroenteritis, gastrointestinal infection) means a disease caused by viruses or, more rarely, bacteria at which it emerges inflammatory processes of the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract comes.
  Typically, gastrointestinal flu occurs when Adult by Noroviruses triggered; children often develop corresponding symptoms after one Rotavirus infection. The typical symptoms of gastrointestinal flu are Stomach cramps, fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The severity of these symptoms can differ enormously from one another depending on the causative agent. In addition, some pathogens can cause severe damage to the gastrointestinal tract, which too Deposits of blood or mucus lead in the chair, come. Since gastrointestinal flu is in most cases a viral infection, as already mentioned, it occurs Treatment mostly symptomatic. If you have a fever you can antipyretic drugs how Ibuprofen or Paracetamol be taken. For example, to relieve nausea and vomiting Vomex administered. Due to the high fluid loss, the affected patients should be careful to drink a lot during the period of illness.

Eating as a cause of stomach cramps with nausea

In the case of stomach cramps with nausea, special attention should be paid to changes in the symptoms after eating. If it worsens immediately after a meal, inflammation of the stomach lining or even an existing ulcer in the stomach is a possible cause. In this case, the food hits a previously damaged and irritated stomach wall, which increases the stomach cramps and nausea. Additional vomiting after eating indicates a stomach ulcer or blockage of the stomach outlet called a gastric outlet obstruction. If it takes a short time after eating until the symptoms worsen, the likely causes are food intolerance or gallstones.
If a food intolerance is suspected, it can be observed whether the symptoms only occur after eating certain foods. An allergy test can also help to find out whether, for example, there is an allergy to dairy products with so-called lactose intolerance.
If the meals are very high in fat, causing stomach cramps and nausea after eating, gallstones are an obvious cause. This can easily be clarified by the doctor using an ultrasound scan.
If stomach cramps and nausea occur for the first time after eating, food poisoning with food that has gone bad or infected with bacteria should also be considered. This is often not dangerous; if the symptoms pass after a few hours, no further clarification is required.
Another reason for stomach cramps and nausea can be too large a meal or a meal on an empty stomach that the body is not prepared for and therefore has problems digesting the food. However, existing stomach cramps with nausea may also improve after eating. In this case, it could be an ulcer in the duodenum.

Alcohol as a cause of stomach cramps with nausea

The consumption of alcohol often leads to stomach cramps with nausea.
The reason for this is that alcohol on the one hand stimulates the cells of the stomach to produce more stomach acid. This aggressive acid attacks the stomach lining and irritates it.This manifests itself in the form of cramps and nausea.
On the other hand, alcohol, especially wine and sparkling wine, is very acidic in itself. This leads to severe irritation of the gastric mucosa. Another cause of nausea after drinking alcohol is that the alcohol that is absorbed into the blood is understood as a toxic substance in the body. The vomiting center in the brain notices this and tries to get rid of the harmful substance by triggering nausea and even nausea.
In general, this irritation of the stomach is very dangerous in the long term, as an increased acid content in the stomach can lead to long-term damage such as gastric mucosal inflammation (so-called type C gastritis) or ulcers. In addition, alcohol inhibits the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. On the one hand, these muscles, in the form of sphincters, are responsible for ensuring that no chyme can flow back into the esophagus, for example from the stomach. If this muscle is inhibited, more stomach contents flow back. Since this is very acidic, especially after drinking alcohol, it leads to heartburn (reflux disease) and irritation of the esophagus, which can cause nausea.
On the other hand, the muscles that are responsible for pushing the stomach contents further are also inhibited. The food remains in the stomach. This can also cause stomach cramps.

Read more on the topic: Stomach pain after alcohol and vomiting from alcohol

diagnosis

Especially in the case of stomach cramps that occur in combination with nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, the underlying underlying disease should be diagnosed promptly.
The first step in finding the cause of stomach cramps and nausea is to do one detailed doctor-patient discussion (anamnese). During this conversation the exact localization of the stomach cramps be clarified. It is also important to discuss which ones temporal relationship between food intake and the occurrence of symptoms consists. The affected patient will also be concerned about other symptoms questioned.
The anamnesis interview is usually followed by one physical examination instead of the Abdominal cavity examined for tenderness becomes. In addition, a Auscultation (listen with the stethoscope) of all intestinal sections.
If the findings are unclear, the attending physician will then contact you Ultrasound examination of the abdomen carry out. With this procedure, many of the possible underlying diseases can be diagnosed without any radiation exposure.
Especially in children, if they have stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and / or diarrhea, a Blood test respectively. Mainly an increase in white blood cells (Leukocytes) and des Inflammatory parameter CRP can indicate whether the disease is bacterially or virally induced. Furthermore, due to the sometimes enormous loss of fluid, a so-called Blood gas analysis (BGA) be performed. With the help of this blood test, a possible derailment of the acid-base balance can be discovered at an early stage and then treated.

Stomach cramps that occur with nausea but without vomiting

Vomiting is a body reflex. This occurs, for example, when toxic substances that irritate the gastric mucosa are absorbed. This activates the vomiting center in the brain. This leads to gagging and eventually vomiting. By doing this, the body tries to get rid of any harmful substance.
So if stomach cramps and nausea occur without vomiting, an external irritation or intolerance is not to be assumed, but rather an internal cause of the symptoms, which does not necessarily lead to severe irritation of the gastric mucosa.
Often symptoms without vomiting occur with gallstones. The bile aids in the digestion of fats. If the path of the bile into the digestive tract is obstructed by gallstones, fats can no longer be digested properly and stomach cramps and nausea occur.
Another possible cause is irritable stomach syndrome called functional dyspepsia. Digestive problems arise particularly due to psychological factors such as stress and restlessness, which initially occur independently of the problems coming from the stomach. These can be accompanied by increased gastric acid production and thereby attack the gastric mucosa. These complaints are easy to describe with the expression “That hits me on the stomach!”.
In general, it should always be ensured that every person has a different nausea. Therefore, the same digestive tract disorders that cause stomach cramps and nausea can occur in some people with or without vomiting.

therapy

Treatment of stomach cramps that occur in combination with nausea depending on the underlying condition.
In case of a Inflammation of the stomach lining are usually so-called Proton pump inhibitors (Acid blockers) used.
Can in the affected patient bacterial pathogens must be proven, a antibiotic treatment respectively. Even with stomach cramps and nausea caused by a Food poisoning must be caused in most cases antibiotic administered.
There one Abdominal influenza which leads to stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea is mostly a viral illness, which takes place Treatment based on symptoms. The fever is lowered by taking ibuprofen or paracetamol. In addition, the affected patients should ensure that they drink enough fluids.

Home remedies to treat stomach cramps with nausea

Even when using home remedies for stomach cramps, the cause of the symptoms is decisive for which home remedies can help. In the case of cramps after large, heavy meals, a "digestive schnapps" can often bring relief, but it is not advisable, especially in stomach struggles with nausea. Herbal teas count as unproblematic home remedies, with gentian, fennel, chamomile and caraway seeds having a particularly calming effect on the stomach.
External warmth in the form of hot water bottles or heat packs are also often very good for stomach pains. These heat wraps can also be combined with compresses with healing earth. These are supposed to relax the abdomen and relieve the cramps.
In general, relaxation exercises, especially when lying down, are often helpful, as stomach cramps and nausea are often caused by external stress and restlessness. Ingesting acidic foods and drinks such as fruit, coffee, alcohol or carbonated drinks should be avoided, especially if you are very sick. These foods lead to increased irritation of the gastric mucosa and usually worsen the symptoms. On the other hand, drinking some still water often stimulates digestion or neutralizes the acid in the stomach.
In addition, small amounts of bread, oatmeal, pretzels or almonds can help neutralize stomach acid in the event of nausea. In general, care should be taken to ensure that small and light meals are eaten in the event of stomach cramps and nausea in order to avoid overloading the already irritated stomach. If the cause of the stomach cramps is a previous meal that is not tolerated, forced vomiting is strongly discouraged, as this only creates further damage to the digestive tract.

Please also read: Home remedies for nausea

forecast

The prognosis of stomach cramps that are associated with pronounced nausea depends primarily on the underlying disease.
Harmless bacterial or viral infectionswhich cause stomach cramps and nausea by irritating the gastrointestinal tract usually heal completely within a few days from.
Also through contaminated food Stomach cramps caused can under specific therapy handled easily become.
There is one in the patient suffering from stomach cramps and nausea Inflammation of the stomach lining before, so it applies for the time being Relieve symptoms and the affected gastric mucosa Regeneration phase to enable. Affected patients should, however, also after successful relief of the symptoms certain rules of conduct adhere to. Among other things, stomach protection should always be given when taking drugs (e.g. proton pump inhibitors).
Since stomach cramps that are accompanied by pronounced nausea may also go through malicious changes within the gastrointestinal tract (tumor) should such diseases are always excluded become.

Stomach cramps with nausea during pregnancy

Stomach cramps with nausea are an annoying, but in most cases, quite normal accompanying phenomenon during pregnancy. The hormonal changes in the body lead to unusual changes, which are often expressed in nausea and vomiting, especially at the beginning. Since this is very irritating to the stomach, these symptoms can also be accompanied by stomach cramps.
These problems often alleviate after the first three months, but they can also last until the end of the pregnancy, as the mother's hormonal balance continues to change as the child develops.
In addition, the pregnancy hormones release the tension in the muscles of the internal organs in order to counteract premature labor. This also loosens the obstruction muscle that separates the stomach from the esophagus. As a result, acidic chyme can now flow back into the esophagus. This happens more often when lying down and causes irritation of the esophagus, which can be felt as heartburn (heartburn during pregnancy). Since this feeling is very uncomfortable, stomach cramps and nausea during pregnancy can also occur here.
In the later stages of pregnancy, the child grows so much in the mother's womb that it exerts pressure on other abdominal organs. Since the stomach lies above the uterus, the pressure on the child can cause cramps and nausea. Of course, other gastrointestinal diseases such as gastric mucosal inflammation or gastrointestinal infections can also occur during pregnancy. If the symptoms persist, they should therefore be clarified with a doctor.

Read more on the topic: Stomach pain in pregnancy