Abdominal cramping is a common occurrence that can occur at any age in both men and women. As a rule, this is a sign of a developing pathological process, in which urgent medical intervention may be required.
There are a large number of pathological and physiological factors that can provoke the occurrence of pain in the abdomen. In addition to spasms, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, fever can be observed. Based on these symptoms, a clinical examination, and laboratory tests, a diagnosis is made on which subsequent treatment depends.
The most common causes of spasm
As has been said, a number of processes and conditions that can cause abdominal cramps are highlighted. The reasons can be common to all or characteristic of women, men, children, elderly people.
Causes of spasm common to any gender and age include:
- inflammatory process in the appendix;
- bowel obstruction;
- chronic constipation;
- inflammation of the liver and gall bladder;
- blockage of the bile ducts ;
- irritable bowel syndrome;
- dysbiosis;
- renal colic;
- indigestion
- chronic form of pancreatitis;
- adhesive processes;
- diseases of the urinary system;
- lipid metabolism disorders;
- infringement of a hernia;
- diabetes;
- acute poisoning;
- acute or chronic cholecystitis;
- duodenal ulcer or stomach.
In women, there are a number of specific causes that cause cramping in the lower abdomen:
- menstruation and premenstrual syndrome;
- the formation of adhesions in the appendages;
- pathology of the reproductive system;
- hormonal disruptions.
Some factors can cause pain and cramping in the lower abdomen in women only during pregnancy:
- fetal growth, causing an increase in the uterus and displacement of internal organs;
- sprains of veins, ligaments or muscles of the abdomen and uterus;
- ectopic pregnancy;
- “False contractions” in late pregnancy;
- pathology of the cervix;
- detachment of the placenta;
- premature birth;
- miscarriage.
Some of these processes are natural in nature and are not cause for concern, while others require immediate contact with a gynecologist.
In the male, the inflammatory process in the prostate gland can become a specific cause of this unpleasant symptom.
Abdominal cramps and pain often occur in children, especially in infancy. Up to a year, the digestive system develops, so the baby’s sore belly does not pose any threat. At the same time, there are situations in which spasm indicates the presence of a disease, for example, with insufficient production of lactase and, as a result, incomplete digestibility of breast milk, dysbiosis, pyloric stenosis.
Abdominal cramps in a child should not be ignored.
Older children may suffer from pain caused by:
- pancreatitis
- appendicitis
- helminthic invasion;
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- gastritis;
- high physical exertion;
- food allergies;
- rotavirus infection;
- urinary tract infection;
- nervous strain.
In older people, this can be caused by age-related changes in the organs of the digestive, reproductive and urinary systems.
The causes of abdominal cramps may be different.
Rare reasons
With the appearance of pain in the abdomen, their source is most often sought among diseases of the digestive system and other organs of the abdominal cavity. However, in rare cases, other organs can become the cause of cramps in the lower abdomen. So, heart attacks, injuries to the inguinal region and pelvic organs, pneumonia, urolithiasis, vagus kidney and even skin diseases (for example, shingles) can give reflected pain .
Types of Cramping
Abdominal cramps are classified into clonic and tonic. The former are characterized as an alternation of painful jerky contractions of smooth muscles with its relaxation. The second type of pain is prolonged muscle tension in the abdominal cavity.
Patients often complain to the doctor: "I feel a cramp in the lower abdomen." How can this be manifested?
Symptoms accompanying spasm
Symptoms that complement cramps of the abdominal muscles are individual and manifest in different combinations, with different intensities. First of all, these symptoms include severe pain of a constant or periodic nature. The pain can be dull, aching, or sharp and sharp, of varying degrees of intensity.
Also, muscle cramps can be accompanied by symptoms such as:
- nausea and vomiting;
- vomiting with an admixture of blood;
- dyspnea;
- vaginal discharge in women;
- reflected pain in the perineum, chest, less often the neck and shoulder;
- feces mixed with blood or an unnaturally dark color;
- diarrhea;
- increased sweating;
- problems with urination.
Reason to see a doctor
There are conditions accompanied by pain and cramping in the lower abdomen in women and men, in which urgent need for qualified medical care is necessary, it is best to call an ambulance team. These include:
- severe, intolerable pain syndrome;
- ongoing pain for half an hour or more;
- vaginal bleeding, especially in pregnant women;
- bouts of pain in the scrotum in men;
- labored breathing;
- vomiting, especially with an admixture of blood;
- bloody diarrhea;
- black color of feces;
- chills, fever, sweating;
- pallor of the skin, gums;
- reflected pain in the chest, neck;
- urinary retention of more than 10 hours;
- loss of consciousness;
- violation of bowel movements and severe bloating.
Waiting for a doctor
After calling an ambulance, it is recommended that you go to bed and make as few movements as possible. In no case should you warm or rub the sore spot - this can strengthen and even tear apart a possible internal abscess. Also, painkillers should not be taken that lubricate the general picture of severe abdominal cramps.
Diagnosis of the disease
Even one of the above signs requires the intervention of a specialist. Since symptoms can be caused by diseases of various organs, consultation of several doctors may be required: therapist, gastroenterologist, infectious disease specialist, neurologist, gynecologist, proctologist, urologist, and traumatologist. To accurately determine the cause of pain requires an integrated approach based on the study of medical history, physical examination and laboratory results.
On examination, the patient's response to external exposure during abdominal palpation is carefully studied. The doctor also clarifies the time of onset of symptoms, its intensity and frequency.
Among laboratory studies, the most important and informative are:
- a general blood test that indicates an infection or bleeding disorder;
- biochemical analysis of blood, reflecting the activity of the heart, liver and pancreas enzymes;
- general urinalysis, which will detect an infection of the genitourinary tract or urolithiasis;
- examination of feces for the presence of helminth eggs.
For a more detailed diagnosis, endoscopy of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity, radiography with or without contrast, electrocardiography may be required. These are only the most frequent instrumental examinations that are used to make a diagnosis, for each patient the list of tests and manipulations will be individual.
Treatment
The prescribed course of therapy will depend on the diagnosis. In general, treatment involves taking painkillers to relieve pain, intravenous administration of drugs (including to restore fluid balance after vomiting and diarrhea), taking antibacterial and antiemetic drugs, following a therapeutic diet, and sometimes using traditional medicine.
In some cases, conservative treatment is not enough, and surgical intervention may be required. In this case, strict adherence to the postoperative regimen, including sparing nutrition, will be required to reduce the risk of complications and relapse of abdominal cramps in women and men.
Nutrition after illness
The diet, as a rule, is prescribed by the attending physician, however, general recommendations aimed at restoring the digestive tract should be followed. It is recommended to refuse fatty, fried, salty, spicy food, confectionery, sweets, mayonnaise and other industrial sauces, fast food, alcohol, coffee, black tea, carbonated drinks. It is necessary to adhere to such nutrition for at least three months. During this period, heat-treated vegetables and fruits, poultry meat, low-fat fish, lean beef and veal, dietary soups, low-fat dairy products, omelettes and boiled eggs, jelly and stewed fruits are allowed for consumption.
How to avoid this unpleasant problem?
Preventing the development of an ailment is always easier and safer than treating it. Abdominal cramps are no exception. To prevent this problem, you need to follow some simple rules:
- eat right and varied;
- observe sleep and rest;
- if possible, avoid mental and physical overwork;
- lead an active lifestyle and more often be in the fresh air;
- limit the use of alcoholic beverages;
- take medications only as directed by a doctor;
- drink enough clean water;
- Undergo a full medical examination twice a year.
Implementation of these simple recommendations will help to completely get rid of not only cramping in the abdomen, but also of the disease that caused them, as well as to prevent the re-development of the disease.