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What are Intestinal Spasms?

Eric Stolze
Eric Stolze

Intestinal spasms are uncontrolled contractions in the muscles of the large and small intestines. Patients with these spasms, a condition that can also be described as a spastic colon, can suffer from bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea. A common cause is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but food allergies, food poisoning and conditions like intestinal pseudo-obstruction may also produce muscle problems in the digestive system.

Causes

Intestinal spasms can be caused by a number of different things.
Intestinal spasms can be caused by a number of different things.

Spasms are a general symptom of an intestinal problem, which can be mild and go away by itself or be a long-lasting issue associated with an underlying medical condition. In a healthy person, the muscles that line the intestine contract and expand efficiently to move food through. Localized irritation from an illness or allergy can provoke abnormal muscular spasms, creating pain and cramping. Issues with the signal pathway from the brain that tells the muscles when to contract can also lead to spasms. This can occur with the disease of intestinal pseudo-obstruction, where the intestine acts as though a blockage is present, and stops moving normally.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Intestinal spasms are often a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome.
Intestinal spasms are often a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome is most commonly associated with the specific condition of intestinal spasms. IBS has many causes, including an abnormal functioning of the digestive muscles and a limited ability to move or stretch the intestines. Intestinal infections can cause cramping to develop after the initial illness has passed. Foods such as vegetables, fruits, and dairy products can bring on spasms. Beverages, such as carbonated and caffeinated drinks, can also be IBS triggers.

People who have allergies to gluten may experience intestinal spasms after eating products containing wheat.
People who have allergies to gluten may experience intestinal spasms after eating products containing wheat.

Patients with IBS may experience worsening intestinal spasms if they are also suffering from depression, stress or anxiety, as these emotional states can affect intestinal movement. Stress control and a healthy diet can help improve digestion. People under the age of 35, women, and individuals with a family history of the condition have an increased risk of developing IBS.

Crohn's Disease

Psyllium husk can help with intestinal spasms.
Psyllium husk can help with intestinal spasms.

One common cause of intestinal spasms, Crohn's disease, causes the bowels or other parts of the digestive system to become chronically inflamed. In people who have this autoimmune disease, the intestinal walls become thick and can make it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients. Symptoms of this disease including cramps, diarrhea, constipation, and muscle spasms. There is no cure for Crohn's disease, but eating small meals and taking certain types of anti-inflammatory drugs as well as pain relievers and anti-diarrheals or laxatives may help.

Allergies and Food Intolerances

Prescription medication for intestinal spasms.
Prescription medication for intestinal spasms.

Some people have intestinal spasms as a result of the food they eat. People who are lactose intolerant, for example, often experience gas, bloating, and other digestive symptoms when they eat foods that contain milk or other dairy products. Gluten allergies and intolerances are another common cause; those who have celiac disease, for example, are prone to diarrhea and abdominal pain when they consume any products that contain wheat or certain other grains. Often, the only solution is to avoid foods containing these ingredients.

Infections

Intestinal spasms can occur in the colon, leading to bloating and abdominal pain.
Intestinal spasms can occur in the colon, leading to bloating and abdominal pain.

Many different bacterial, viral, and parasitic illnesses can cause intestinal spasms. People who contract viral gastroenteritis, often caused by the Norwalk virus or rotavirus, frequently experience cramping and diarrhea along with nausea, vomiting, and fever. Foodborne microbes — like E. coli, Salmonella, and Giardia duodenalis — can also cause intestinal distress. To prevent such illnesses, people should always wash their hands thoroughly, make sure food is cooked completely, and avoid dining in places where food may not have been prepared safely.

Diagnosis

Doctors sometimes rely on computerized tomography (CT) images to investigate intestinal spasms.
Doctors sometimes rely on computerized tomography (CT) images to investigate intestinal spasms.

Some patients who experience intestinal spasms that only last for day or so may not seek out medical attention, choosing to treat the symptoms on their own. If a patient does go to a healthcare provider, however, a medical professional will commonly look for changes in stool consistency, and will ask the patient about how frequently he or she has bowel movements and how urgent they are. The patient may also be tested by way of a colonoscopy, blood test, or computerized tomography (CT) imaging test. If lactose intolerance is suspected, a breath test may be conducted.

Treatments

An individual suffering from intestinal spasms should consult with a doctor.
An individual suffering from intestinal spasms should consult with a doctor.

Anticholinergic drugs may relieve spasms of the intestinal tract, but they can contribute to constipation. A medical professional may recommend a fiber supplement, such as psyllium, and plenty of fluids to control constipation. Diarrhea may be relieved with over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medicines, such as loperamide. Prescription medications that can help reduce spasming and improve bowel movement include alosetron and lubiprostone. For mild cases caused by food poisoning or allergies, treatment may simply be to avoid the problematic foods or allergies.

Severe constipation may lead to intestinal spasms.
Severe constipation may lead to intestinal spasms.

Lifestyle changes may improve many forms of IBS and lessen intestinal cramping. Patients may be instructed to eat regular meals to promote bowel regularity. Medical advice often includes drinking plenty of liquids, especially water, and limiting alcoholic beverages, caffeine, and carbonated drinks. Regular exercise can also promote normal muscle contractions, relieve stress, and improve mood disorders that accompany irritable bowel syndrome.

Acupuncture can be used to treat intestinal spasms.
Acupuncture can be used to treat intestinal spasms.

Patients with intestinal cramps who prefer alternative treatments may find that peppermint relaxes the muscles of the intestines. Many people find that acupuncture provides relief from stomach cramps, a finding supported by the Mayo Clinic. Meditation, massage, and yoga are other options that may help relieve stress, improve bowel regularity, and lessen intestinal pain.

Discussion Comments

behaviourism

My friend used to have almost constant stomach spasms, and she couldn't figure out what was going on for over a year. We researched it together, and found out that constant stomach spasms could be an indication that someone has anxiety issues that he or she either does not realize or is trying to avoid.

Luckily, that wasn't my friend's issue -- her problem was more physical -- but if you do have constant stomach spasms like this, you may want to consider more exercise and healthy eating, because that's what the literature said could help. Also, finding other outlets for stress can also be important, like finding a new hobby. Medication or therapy might also help too, if your problem is a combination of mental and physical issues.

widget2010

I have irritable bowel syndrome, and while I am not sure I would describe my stomach pains as spasms, the causes and factors mentioned here are pretty accurate. My pains get much worse if I am stressed out or worried, or my schedule is upset drastically. Which brings me to something else that I at least have noticed- eating at the same time, roughly, each day can really help irritable bowel symptoms. I would recommend it if at all possible, even if only for some meals each day.

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    • Intestinal spasms can be caused by a number of different things.
      By: Alliance
      Intestinal spasms can be caused by a number of different things.
    • Intestinal spasms are often a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome.
      By: ancroft
      Intestinal spasms are often a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome.
    • People who have allergies to gluten may experience intestinal spasms after eating products containing wheat.
      By: womue
      People who have allergies to gluten may experience intestinal spasms after eating products containing wheat.
    • Psyllium husk can help with intestinal spasms.
      By: Marek
      Psyllium husk can help with intestinal spasms.
    • Prescription medication for intestinal spasms.
      By: Andrew S.
      Prescription medication for intestinal spasms.
    • Intestinal spasms can occur in the colon, leading to bloating and abdominal pain.
      By: CLIPAREA.com
      Intestinal spasms can occur in the colon, leading to bloating and abdominal pain.
    • Doctors sometimes rely on computerized tomography (CT) images to investigate intestinal spasms.
      By: Dan Race
      Doctors sometimes rely on computerized tomography (CT) images to investigate intestinal spasms.
    • An individual suffering from intestinal spasms should consult with a doctor.
      By: AntonioDiaz
      An individual suffering from intestinal spasms should consult with a doctor.
    • Severe constipation may lead to intestinal spasms.
      By: rob3000
      Severe constipation may lead to intestinal spasms.
    • Acupuncture can be used to treat intestinal spasms.
      By: Alfred Wekelo
      Acupuncture can be used to treat intestinal spasms.
    • Patients with IBS may experience worsening intestinal spasms if they are also under a lot of stress.
      By: michaeljung
      Patients with IBS may experience worsening intestinal spasms if they are also under a lot of stress.