Abdominal cramps - Causes and Symptoms

Definition

Abdominal cramps are painful spasms located in the region between the chest and groin. This symptom often appears in association with other side manifestations, such as diarrhea, gastric noises perceptible from the outside, belching, feeling of fullness, constipation or meteorism.

Depending on the cause, the cramps can be passengers, persistent or recurrent.

Abdominal cramps are associated with various pathological conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract, but can also be triggered by other organs.

If they appear in the central part of the abdomen, cramps can be caused by a sudden contraction of the muscles of the stomach or small intestine. This can be a reaction to certain foods (eg food intolerances or allergies, celiac disease and digestive difficulties). Possible triggers are also stress and nervous tension, gastroenteritis, traveler's diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome.

Other diseases that can cause colic-like pain and cramps include appendicitis, peritonitis, food toxinfections (such as salmonellosis), ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis and colon cancer.

Among the external causes of the most common gastro-intestinal tract is the pre-menstrual syndrome. Cramps in the lower abdomen can also occur during ovulation and endometriosis.