When you experience pain in any part of your body, you need to answer a few questions. This process is not different when you experience a stomach cramp.
Even healthy people may experience cramps occasionally. Stomach cramps are a common health problem for millions of people that affect the muscles in the lower abdomen, causing pains that can occur a few times a month or several times per day.
These sensations often feel like you’re being stabbed or kicked. Although they may be painful, they are not dangerous and can typically be dealt with at home.
But if you have frequent stomach cramps, it could result from dehydration, lack of exercise, injuries, infections, or medical conditions. So it is crucial to seek immediate medical care for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Causes of Cramps in the Stomach
1. Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is the digestive tract’s reaction to eating certain foods with bacteria, parasites, or toxins that cause illness. Foodborne illness can affect anyone but is more common in young children, aged adults, and people with a compromised immune.
Lots of food poisoning outbreaks are due to improper food handling. One in six Americans (or 48 million people) get ill from Food poisoning each year, 128,000 end up in the hospital, and 3,000 suffer a fatal outcome.
Vomiting, diarrhea, and fever are the most common symptoms of stomach cramps. The onset of symptoms depends on the microorganism and how it entered the food.
While most food poisonings are usually mild, they can be severe. So if you experience extreme discomfort after a few hours, you should seek emergency medical care.
2. Indigestion
Indigestion is a medical term for several non-digestive disorders. Although dyspepsia is not a disease in itself, it can be a sign of a more severe condition.
This occurs when the muscles of the stomach and intestines contract and relax too vigorously, causing stomach pain and diarrhea. Causes of dyspepsia can range from stress to eating too quickly, smoking, drinking alcohol, having a stomach virus, bloating, and gas.
Losing weight and avoiding triggers such as fatty foods and carbonated beverages may help stop indigestion. Additionally, eating smaller meals more often, chewing food thoroughly, and taking antacids can help relieve discomfort.
3. Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is an acute inflammation of the stomach and bowels resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. It is an infection of the stomach and intestines caused by eating contaminated food.
During transmission, tiny bacteria attach to microscopic amounts of poop (from people or animals).
You can prevent infection by avoiding contaminated food and water as well as washing your hands. Rest and rehydration are the most effective treatments. If you feel like something is very wrong, consult your doctor immediately.
4. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
The digestive tract is home to trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that sustain and protect us from disease.
This system is collectively known as the microbiome. Hundreds of species belong to the gut microbiota, including various healthy bacteria that keep harmful bacteria in check, aid our digestion, and boost our immune system.
An inflammatory bowel disease is a group of conditions that affect the entire intestinal tract (stomach and intestines).
The main types are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. This inflammation may be localized or studied throughout the colon. Cancer of the colon and cirrhosis of the liver are other causes of inflammatory bowel disease.
Etiologies are poorly understood but include, at least in part, genetic, immune, and microbial factors. You can take anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation.
5. Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when the body has lost too many fluids, causing a severe medical condition. Most people know dehydration occurs when a person doesn’t drink enough water. But serious consequences can result from milder cases of dehydration that people may not recognize.
This imbalance can lead to several symptoms, including dry mouth and skin, dizziness, cramps, and fatigue. Drinking enough water is key to staying hydrated.
How Can You Prevent Cramps in the Middle of the Stomach
Stomach cramps can be caused by various issues, ranging from an upset stomach to constipation.
However, it is crucial to keep in mind that cramping can also be a symptom of appendicitis, so you should contact your doctor immediately if you are experiencing severe stomach pain or cramping.
