What are the causes of stomach spasms?

It is caused by involuntary contractions of the muscles in the stomach. Spasms in other muscle groups of the body are not harmful. But stomach spasms should not be neglected. This is a symptom of an underlying disease that may pose a threat to your health.

What are the causes of stomach spasms?

We must remember that under the muscles of our stomach is our digestive system lay. Muscle spasms in the abdomen area are usually associated to acute illnesses involving the digestion of food. Acute illnesses that cause this includes:

· Stomach flu -Stomach flu, also known as gastroenteritis, is due to a virus or bacteria. These pathogens caused the intestines and stomach to inflame. Ingestion of toxins through unsanitary food or medication might also cause stomach flu or gastroenteritis. Patients are mostly infants and children.

· Colic -Colic is characterized as an acute or severe pain in the stomach starts and ends suddenly. Infants are mostly affected by colic. Since babies' only way of complaining is through crying, babies that are normally quiet and cries suddenly may be affected by colic.

· Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) -IBS is a condition that makes the affected person changes his bowel habits with discomfort. It is a chronic disease and its usual symptom can either be diarrhea or constipation. Irritable bowel syndrome is also a common cause of stomach spasm.

Diarrhea, food poisoning and constipation alone can also be a cause of stomach muscle spasm.

To treat muscle spasm, you must treat its underlying cause. Gastroenteritis is a very fatal disease but it can be cured by antibiotics. Treating gastroenteritis must be done in a timely manner to prevent more complications. Irritable bowel syndrome is not as fatal as gastroenteritis and can be managed by the use of laxatives. Changing into a high fiber diet is also necessary if irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by constipation. In diarrhea cases, it is important to prevent dehydration. We can do this by replenishing the fluid lost with water or Gatorade to also keep the electrolytes that is lost in balance. Colic, however, tends to resolve itself on its own. No medications are prescribed by the doctor for the cure of colic. But alternative remedies like herbal medicines can be used to alleviate the pain. Alternative treatments like acupuncture and psychotherapy are also proven to be helpful in recovery from the underlying disease that caused muscle spasms in the first place. Our diet plays an important role to avoid muscle spasms. We must maintain a healthy eating habit to prevent stomach muscle spasm. Eating foods rich in fiber like veggies, fruits, wheat, whole grain, oatmeal and more helps a lot. Drinking the advised amount of water which is 7-8 full glasses a day not only keeps us hydrated but it also aids in the digestion of our food.

All the possible underlying cause of stomach muscle spasm is curable. We just have to watch for its common symptoms so we can refer them immediately to a health care provider.