Children and adults can have sporadic abdominal spasms and there are some disorders and diseases that can cause them so it is always best to check for a correct diagnosis. A ‘spasm’ is the involuntary and sudden contraction of your abdominal muscles and it can lead to mild or severe pain lasting short or long periods. If you experience these spasms it is your muscles being stretched or strained but you need to check that this is not because you have a disease or organ disorder in the abdominal cavity. The main causes of abdominal muscle spasms are:

• Pregnancy – spasms and cramping can occur during your uterus changing shape, hormonal changes, stress, over-exercise, implantation of embryo, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and labour

• Over-exercising - too much exercise and incorrect posture during exercise especially when lifting weights can cause cramps and spasms

• Abdominal migraine – this is seen in children and very rare. Chemical changes associated with histamine and serotonin trigger an abdominal migraine attack

• Urinary Tract Infection – or kidney stones forming

• Food allergy – any food that your body cannot tolerate

• Gallstones - obstructing the path of bile can lead to infection and pain can sometimes be felt towards the shoulder, lower back and lower abdomen

• Obstruction in the digestive tract - hernia, internal bleeding, ulcers or a growing tumour

• Constipation – hardened stools and difficulty in passing them causes cramps and spasms

• Diarrhoea – most common reason of abdominal cramps in adults and children

• Ovarian cysts and fibroids – can lead to severe cramping and pain

• Menstruation – common in many women

• Appendicitis – common cause of spasms

• Digestive system diseases – there are many including, acid reflux disease, cancer, hiatal hernia, gastritis, tumours, celiac disease, stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, pancreatitis, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis and cholecystitis

• Bacterial diseases of digestive system – bacterial or viral infection, food poisoning Treatment will vary depending on the diagnosis and overall health of the patient. Home remedies can be taken like lemon and ginger drinks for gas. To avoid a lot of digestive problems you should have a high fibre diet and cut out fast food and alcohol as much as possible. Drink lots of water and eat food that is high in probiotic bacteria as this will maintain healthy levels of intestinal flora which relieves constipation. Ginger root tea is a good remedy for abdominal spasms but if you find that you keep getting these cramps and spasms do ask your doctor to try and diagnose what the problem might be. Once he understands your symptoms and has assessed your health and medical history he will be able to advise the correct therapy for you and may prescribe painkillers and certain medications. For many people the correct diet, healthy lifestyle and regular abdominal exercise can keep abdominal spasms at bay.

   
  Eirian Hallinan has written numerous articles in the natural health field. She believes in healing naturally, first, especially when it comes to infant colic.