Symptoms

Abdominal cramping
Belly pain
Discomfort
Bloody stools
Vomiting
Upset stomach
Shortness of breath
Pain in the affected area
Pain
Difficulty Breathing
Chest Pain

What To Expect

In the case of so-called permanent stomach pain, the symptoms persist. In contrast, stomach spasms are of varying intensity at different times. The spasms often run in waves: Pain-free phases slowly increase to pain peaks. People affected by severe stomach spasms or colics describe this pain as being like a contraction ("pain like labor pains"). Cramp-like stomach spasms are usually caused by a hollow organ that is irritated. These organs include the stomach, intestines, gall bladder, urinary bladder, ureters and, in women, the uterus. For example, the irritation can be caused by an inflammation, a foreign body or an ulcer. During a spasm, the organ contracts and then relaxes again. The spasms are intended to transport any foreign bodies outside. Diarrhea and constipation can also cause abdominal spasms, which move the contents of the intestine towards the anus.

Made Worse By

Stomach cramps can occur for a variety of reasons - normally they do not last too long.The following are common causes of stomach spasms: If you eat a particularly fatty and heavy diet, it may interfere with your digestion - and this can lead to stomach spasms. If you often have problems after eating, you may need to rethink your diet. Even if you eat in a hurry or chew very hard, this can lead to stomach spasms. Eating too quickly and eating large chunks of food can overwhelm your stomach and intestines. Some people also suffer from stomach spasms because they are stressed or under psychological pressure. For women, the monthly menstrual period is often to blame for the pain. If you regularly get stomach spasms after you have eaten a certain food, this could be due to food intolerance. This pain is often accompanied by nausea or diarrhoea. Maybe you have simply eaten something bad or have contracted food poisoning.

Diagnosed By

In order to clarify the cause, the doctor needs a description of the symptoms that is as precise as possible. The following questions provide helpful orientation: When did the stomach spasms start? Where exactly does it hurt? Where does the pain radiate to? In which situations do they intensify (e.g. after meals)? Are there any influences that cause them to subside? How exactly do they feel? Dull, pressing, drilling or burning? How long do the spasms last? Why? Are there any previous illnesses or is the patient taking medication that could have triggered the abdominal cramps? Stomach spasms are often accompanied by other complaints such as diarrhea, nausea, trembling, fever or sweating, which can also give the doctor important clues as to the cause.