Stomach Cramps

Stomach cramps may accompany other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. If you have other symptoms along with stomach cramps, be sure to inform your healthcare provider. This information will help your doctor diagnose the reason for your stomach cramps.

Stomach cramps may accompany other symptoms affecting the digestive tract including:

• Belching

• Bloating

• Change in bowel habits

• Diarrhea

• Flatulence (gas)

• Indigestion

• Nausea

• Poor appetite

• Stomach noises including rumbling and gurgling

• Vomiting

Stomach cramps may accompany symptoms related to other body systems including:

• Fever and chills

• Flu-like symptoms (runny nose, fatigue, fever, sore throat, headache, cough, aches and pains)

• Heavy menstrual period or unusual vaginal bleeding

• Missed menstrual period (indicating that you might be pregnant and experiencing implantation cramping)

• Unusual vaginal discharge

In some cases, stomach cramps may accompany symptoms that might indicate a serious or life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) for symptoms such as:

• Bloody or black stools, or major rectal bleeding

• Difficulty breathing or severe shortness of breath

• Dizziness

• Fainting, change in consciousness, or lethargy

• High fever (higher than 101°F)

• Pulsating mass in abdomen

• Rapid pulse or rapid breathing

• Severe abdominal pain or swelling

• Vaginal bleeding unrelated to normal menstruation

• Vomiting blood or black material (resembling coffee grounds)

• Weakness

• Yellow skin and eyes (jaundice)

Stomach cramps causes include infection, cancer, inflammation, trauma, obstruction, and other abnormal processes. Relatively mild conditions such as indigestion and stress can cause stomach cramps. At the other end of the spectrum, life-threatening conditions such as trauma, appendicitis, and colorectal cancer can also cause stomach cramps.

Stomach cramps may arise from mild to serious problems in the digestive tract including:

• Appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix, generally due to infection)

• Bowel blockage or obstruction

• Celiac disease (severe sensitivity to gluten from wheat and other grains that causes intestinal damage)

• Colorectal cancer

• Constipation or fecal impaction

• Food intolerance or food allergy

• Food poisoning, such as Salmonella food poisoning

• Gastritis and viral gastroenteritis (viral infection of the digestive tract, also called stomach flu or intestinal flu)

• Inflammatory bowel disease (includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) and diverticulitis (inflammation of an abnormal pocket in the colon)

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS; digestive discomfort that does not cause intestinal damage or serious disease)

• Liver disease (includes hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver failure) and gallbladder disease (includes gallstones and cholecystitis, an inflammation of the gallbladder)

• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)

• Peptic ulcer disease (gastric ulcer) often caused by chronic H. Pylori infection 

Stomach cramps may occur for gynecological reasons including:

• Complications of pregnancy, such as miscarriage

• Ectopic pregnancy

• Endometriosis

• Menstrual cramps

• Ovarian cyst

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes)

• Pregnancy labor

• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

Stomach cramps can also be caused by problems in body systems other than the digestive tract and gynecological organs including:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm

• Abdominal trauma

• Abdominal tumor, mass or abscess (a collection of pus caused by infection)

• Acute congestive heart failure

• Bladder infection

• Exercise-induced muscle sprains

• Kidney disease (includes kidney stones and kidney failure)

• Medication side effect (such as from chemotherapeutic drugs, antibiotics, and sodium phosphate)

• Peritonitis (infection of the lining of the abdomen)

• Stress, anxiety or fear

• Toxic exposures (ingestion of toxic chemicals or poisonous plants, or poisonous insect bites)

Stomach cramps from everyday causes, like gas, will resolve on their own. However, there are times when you should see a doctor about stomach cramps. It is the safest option to find potentially serious causes and get the correct treatment.

Make an appointment to see your doctor if mild stomach cramping lasts for a few days or is causing concern. See a doctor promptly when:

• You also have abdominal pain or bloating that does not improve after a couple of days.

• You are experiencing irregular or prolonged menstrual bleeding.

• You are experiencing unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite.

• You have a fever, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting that persists for several days.

• You have frequent urination or pain or burning with urination.

• You have jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin and eyes.

Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room for stomach cramps when:

• You are pregnant or could be pregnant.

• You are unable to pass stool.

• You are vomiting blood or a coffee ground-like material or have bloody stools.

• You had a recent injury or trauma involving the abdomen.

• You have chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, sweating, or arm, neck or jaw pain.

• Your abdomen is tender to touch, hard or swollen, or you have severe abdominal pain.

To diagnose the cause of stomach cramps, your doctor will take a medical history, perform an exam, and possibly order testing. Questions your doctor may ask about your stomach cramps and other symptoms include:

• Where is the cramping? Is it in one spot or all over?

• How severe is the cramping?

• When did the cramping start?

• When does the cramping occur? Is it continuous or does it only occur at certain times?

• Have you had this type of cramping before?

• Are you experiencing any other symptoms, such as pain, diarrhea or nausea?

• What, if anything, seems to make the cramping better or worse?

• What medications do you take?

• When was your last menstrual period?

During the physical exam, your doctor will feel your abdomen, checking for areas of tenderness or enlarged organs. Your doctor may also perform a pelvic exam. Depending on the likely causes, a digital rectal exam (DRE) may be necessary. Using the results of the exam, your doctor may order testing including:

• Blood, urine and stool tests

• Imaging exams of the abdomen, including X-rays, ultrasounds, CT (computed tomography) scans, and MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging)

• Endoscopy exams, including colonoscopy (to look inside the large intestine and rectum), cystoscopy (to look inside the bladder and urethra), and hysteroscopy (to look inside the uterus)

   

It is not always possible to diagnose an underlying cause or condition. If the problem persists and your provider is unable to determine a cause, seeking a second opinion may give you more information and answers.

Treating stomach cramps depends on the underlying cause of the problem. If your doctor diagnoses a condition such as IBS or IBD, he or she may prescribe medications. Stomach cramping related to a viral infection will resolve as the infection clears. For causes like appendicitis, surgery may be necessary. Otherwise, everyday stomach cramps due to diarrhea, gas, constipation, or other stomach upset may respond to over-the-counter (OTC) medicines.

OTC options include:

• Alpha-galactosidase (Beano, BeanAssist, Gas-Zyme, others), an enzyme that breaks down gas-producing sugars and carbohydrates in beans, grains and vegetables. You take it right before eating.

• Antacids (Mylanta, Tums, others), which reduce stomach acid and treat indigestion

• Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), which can reduce noxious odors from the breakdown of hydrogen sulfide 

• Lactase (Dairy Ease, Lactaid, others), an enzyme that breaks down lactose. It helps when people are lactose intolerant. You use it just before having dairy products. Lactose-free dairy products are also available.

• Simethicone (Gas-X, Mylanta Gas, others), which reduces the surface tension of gas bubbles to help them break easier, allowing gas to pass through the digestive tract more easily

• Stool softeners and laxatives, which can ease constipation

Dietary and eating habit changes can help provide stomach cramps relief. To ease and prevent mild stomach cramps and promote digestive health, try the following:

• Drinking plenty of water throughout the day and with meals

• Eating smaller meals throughout the day

• Exercising regularly

• Increasing fiber in your diet by eating foods, such as beans, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains

• Limiting gas-producing foods, dairy, and fatty or fried foods 

• Reducing the amount of air you swallow by avoiding straws, chewing thoroughly, eating slowly, and quitting smoking

Probiotics are one of the main alternative treatments for overall digestive health. These healthy bacteria are present in yogurt and fermented foods, such as kimchi. Supplements are also available. Using probiotics to replace and replenish the bacterial flora in your digestive tract may help reduce gas, bloating and cramping.

Complications associated with stomach cramps can be progressive and vary depending on the underlying cause. Because stomach cramps can be due to serious diseases, failure to seek treatment can result in complications and permanent damage.

It is important to visit your healthcare provider when you have persistent stomach cramps or other unusual symptoms. Once the underlying cause is diagnosed, following the treatment plan outlined by your doctor can help reduce any potential complications including:

• Dehydration due to a decreased desire to drink fluids or fluid loss due to diarrhea and fever

• Hepatic encephalopathy (confusion and other changes that can lead to coma)

• Infertility

• Kidney failure

• Liver failure

• Miscarriage of a pregnancy

• Poor nutrition and vitamin deficiencies due to a decreased desire to eat

• Spread of cancer

• Spread of infection to other parts of the body, including the blood