Spasms in the abdomen
introduction
Spasms in the abdomen are a very widespread, but also extremely complex clinical picturethat can have at least as many causes as there are manifestations. Such spasms in the abdomen arise when the im Abdomen and abdomen located Muscles contract and cramp. Most of the time, this can also be felt very easily from the outside: the entire belly is hardened, the abdominal wall itself is tense and does not give way. In the majority of cases, spasms in the abdomen are true annoying and unpleasant, but rather only briefly occurring and harmless clinical picture. Often they come in connection with you increased stress in everyday life, Food intolerance, Allergies or other diseases. During the time of her period Women very often suffer from abdominal and abdominal complaints.
Our gut is actually a real high-performance machine. Around the clock, even at night, while we sleep, it is active, moves and transports the food we have eaten. This is rather weak, but therefor continuous movement is called in medical terminology Intestinal peristalsis. If our digestive process is disturbed, we cannot tolerate certain foods or if there was something spoiled with them, this can Intestinal peristalsis impaired and not run as smoothly as usual. The result: it comes to spasms in the stomach.
The reasons for this are numerous. Quite normal harmless tension and excitement can affect the bowel, too greasy and rich food can cause him problems too, just like Allergies or even Food intolerance, as well as all Diarrheal diseases or even severe chronic bowel disease. In most cases, however, the symptoms turn out to be absolutely harmless and after a short time those affected are visibly better. Not from spasms in the stomach in the strict sense, but from Colic one speaks when the occurring Spasms in the abdomen Always stronger and get stronger, but then also subside and / or disappear. The cause of such extremely unpleasant colic is mostly Stones, preferably in the Biliary tract (called gallstones).
Depending on what is ultimately the cause of the spasms in the stomach, you can various accompanying complaints occur: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation (called diarrhea and constipation in technical terms) bloated stomach and flatulence (or the exact opposite, a wind behavior), up to fever or Blood in the stool. Especially if the spasms in the abdomen last longer than usual or have the colic-like character described above, it is advisable to have one To see a doctor and clarify the exact cause of the complaint. The doctor will primarily orient himself on the patient's medical history described and the course and development of the spasms in the abdomen in order to be able to make a suspected diagnosis. Of the reason for Spasms in the abdomen can also, but only extremely rarely occurs, an infestation with Tapeworms be (the beef tapeworm, for example).
causes
Spasms in the abdomen can be triggered by a wide variety of things and circumstances. Large parts of the population have to struggle with this problem again and again in the course of their life, usually the spasms are in the stomach however absolutely harmless in nature. For example increased stress, the wrong food respectively unfavorable eating habits (for example, too fast, too greasy, at the wrong time, too much coffee) the intestines are sometimes not well A very common reason for the spasms in the abdomen is the so-called Irritable bowel syndrome. But also Diarrheal diseases or Constipation (Constipation), can be the cause of the stomach spasm. In addition, numerous suffer Girls and women regularly from abdominal complaints, namely during her period.
Other, less common causes can be, for example: Infections of the gastrointestinal tract (common pathogens are the Campylobacter bacteria or Salmonella), Food poisoning (often with fish or products that contain raw egg), those already mentioned above Beef tapeworms, Allergies and or Intolerance to certain foods or food groups (for example lactose intolerance or gluten sensitivity), one Inflammation of the appendix (Appendizitis), as well as inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis or Circulatory disorders in the gastrointestinal area. Even if the spasms in the abdomen almost always occur in the muscles of the intestinal wall, their cause is not necessarily to be found there. For example, on Problems with the stomach, such as a Inflammation of the stomach lining or a Gastric ulcer (Ulcer), Kidney disease (such as Kidney stones) as well as diseases from the gynecological circle (about one Endometriosis) that cause spasms in the abdomen.
Do the spasms in my stomach have this typical wave or labor-like character, this is mostly a Note on that one stone which causes discomfort and therefore are the Gallbladder and Biliary tract investigate first. In very rare cases, a tumorous disease such as colon cancer may be the cause of the spasms in the abdomen. If the cramps are much more painful than usual, they do not improve over time but rather even worsen and occur over several days, if Side effects how fever, diarrhea or Vomit or even Blood in the stool a competent person must definitely occur Consulted a doctor who can find the cause of the complaints and, in the best case, eliminate it completely.
diagnosis
So that the examining doctor can determine which of the numerous possibilities is the cause of the spasms in the abdomen in the individual case is one extensive and detailed anamnesis essential. The most important questions will be roughly:
Where exactly does the pain occur in the abdomen or lower abdomen? How does the pain feel Are they more likely dull or piercing, pulsating, pulling or wavy? When and under what circumstances did the convulsions occur first? Are the spasms in the abdomen uninterrupted and consistently intense present or exist pain-free intervals? Do the spasms in the abdomen intensify during or shortly after Ingestion and if so, which foods were consumed? With which Improve situations and measures the pain (even if only slightly)? How often has the patient bowel movement and what is it like? Are there any reddish additions in the stool? To step Accompanying complaints such as diarrhea, nausea or Flatulence on? Which Pre-existing illness Has the patient been through and is currently taking any Medication a? For women, also after the last one Menstrual period be asked and whether there were any abnormalities.
After the previous history of the patient has been discussed so far, the following follows physical examination. The examining doctor attaches particular importance to this Palpation of the abdominal wall and the Listening to the sounds of the bowels with a stethoscope. When the patient is over Blood in the stool reports or the doctor finds other indications of a disease or involvement of the large intestine, it can be quite helpful to feel the rectum with your finger and examine it for abnormalities and irregularities (this is called digital rectal examination). After these two examinations, the doctor probably already has a relatively concrete suspicion of what this case might be.
Depending on which illness he suspects will be other diagnostic procedures initiated. These could be, for example: a Ultrasound examination (Sonography) of the abdominal area, one X-ray, an analysis of the Blood count as well as a microbiological examination of urine and des Chair. If it is still not possible to make a definitive and unequivocal diagnosis, the doctor can also on various food intolerances (such as lactose or gluten) testing, one stomach- respectively Colonoscopy as well as a Magnetic resonance imaging cause. To be able to rule out a disease of the pancreas is one endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (short ERCP), which can be used to examine the bile ducts and the pancreatic ducts. Are the causes more of gynecological in nature, the treating person can Gynecologist further examinations make. Are more like that Kidneys or other parts of the urological system are involved Visit to the urologist further.
therapy
The treatment abdominal spasms cannot be generalized for all those affected. It all depends on what type of abdominal spasms are, why they occur and how much the person concerned suffers from them. That is why it is so important, first and foremost the Identify the cause of the discomfortbefore starting therapeutic work. Treatment can then be either "causal" be what that means root cause the spasms in the abdomen found and treated which will make the spasms in the abdomen go away by themselves. Or she can "symptomatic" be, which means something like that one Pain and accompanying complaints that occur are treatedbut the cause itself remains untouched.
Because most forms of spasms tend to be in the abdomen stop for a short time only and are not particularly intense and certainly not dangerous, they usually need them no further therapy. Often it is enough just to get one hot water bottle to lay on your stomach, one warm tea to drink (recommended are the varieties chamomile, peppermint, caraway, fennel and anise) and a little to relax and, above all, to make sure not to unconsciously tighten the already cramped stomach further.
Also on the nutrition should be respected and special fatty or alcoholic foods and Avoided drinks become. If the victim is under a bloated feeling suffering in the abdominal area should also be too flatulent foods (Lentils, beans, legumes in general) should be removed from the menu for the time being. It is also important always drink enough (around 1.5 to 2 liters a day) and yourself to exercise regularly and move. The additional increased intake of fiber is also beneficial for the natural movement of the intestine and therefore also good for our digestion.
If you want to treat the causes of the spasms in the abdomen, you must of course have found them beforehand in order to then create a suitable therapy. Just at colicky crampsIt is important to avoid prolonged or extremely painful abdominal pain To find the cause of the problems. While it is usually sufficient for a normal "constipation", easy laxative home remedies or to take medication, you have to with one infectious disease of the intestine already open Antibiotics To fall back on. Is it about a Antibiotics or even one Antibiotics of the gastrointestinal tract, is one Antibiotics.
In order to be able to fight the spasms in the abdomen on their own, most doctors resort to it Medication back that antispasmodic pain relievers as the Butylscopamine included as well Mebeverinewhich relaxes the intestinal muscles. There are also numerous Phytotherapeutic agents on the market, these are drugs that are made from herbal active ingredients consist of parts of peppermint, Caraway seed, chamomile, fennel or anise be won.
pregnancy
In pregnant women, acute abdominal pain occurs as a result Appendicitis (an appendicitis), one Gallstone colic or renal colic just as often or rarely as with the rest of the population. A Specialty in pregnant women, however, is the so-called HELLP syndrome. The acronym HELLP comes from English and stands for the German terms Hemolysis (i.e. disintegration of blood components) (H), increased liver values (EL) in combination with a b (LP). The HELLP syndrome is one of the so-called "Gestures". That is a group of certain diseases, the only during pregnancy may occur. Often there is a gestosis high blood pressure the woman.
In the special case of the HELLP syndrome, one more comes massive breakdown of red blood cells add what Clotting disorders caused. The patients also suffer severe nausea and Vomit, acute liver dysfunction and severe pain in the right upper abdomen (caused by the liver). The Risk of kidney failure is high, and the shell of the severely swollen liver can tear or, in the worst case, even the Detach the placenta and it to one Miscarriage come. The only treatment option is a early delivery of the unborn by means of Caesarean section. Another cause of abdominal spasms, which can only occur during pregnancy, is Miscarriages (also called abortions). Also Inflammation of the uterus or the Ovaries can cause the cramps. With the so-called Ectopic pregnancies it can happen that the fallopian tube ruptures, which is associated with extreme pain and also violent spasms in the abdomen.
period
The pain and spasms in the abdomen always occur in connection with monthly menstrual bleeding the patient is the classification relatively problem-free in most cases And those affected usually already know that the cramps then occur due to menstruation and no further explanation of the cause is necessary. The pain that occurs during menstruation is described by many women as so-called "middle pain". This Middle pain Fortunately, however, it is not pathological, but occurs quite physiological at monthly ovulation - in some women a little more and in some a little less pronounced. A another cause abdominal complaints can also be a Inflammation of the fallopian tubes or the uterus be. In most cases these go with one irregular period and should, like all irregularities and changes in the mentoring cycle, discussed with the attending gynecologist and be clarified.
Left, right, middle
Of course, it is only in the rarest of cases that the doctor can determine the cause of the pain and spasms in the abdomen alone. However, it delivers certain characteristicsthat can give the doctor an important clue in the search for the correct diagnosis. Is the pain rather from the right upper abdomen starting, for example, are a Inflammation of the gallbladder (a so-called Cholecystitis), or one Perforation of the gallbladder into consideration.
Pain and cramps in the right lower abdomen direct the suspicion to a problem appendix concerning. Mostly it is then a Appendicitis (appendicitis) or, for women, one Inflammation of the right ovary or fallopian tube (Adnexitis). complaints in the right lower abdomen also point to a Adnexitis towards or on one Diverticulitis (This is an inflammation of pathologically formed bulges in the intestinal wall muscles). Of the upper middle abdomen could result in a Inflammation of the stomach, one Inflammation of the duodenum or also the pancreas pain. in the middle upper abdomen localized pain often indicates a Inflammation of the lower esophagus what often happens in patients with a pathological reflux occurs.
