Causes Of Stomach Spasms

When stomach spasms strike, the abdominal muscles, intestines, or stomach is contracting. Depending on which body party is spasming and to what degree, it could have been a sensation like a slight twitching of a muscle or it might feel like full-blown stomach cramps. In most situations, stomach spasms by themselves are harmless. They might, however, be a symptom or sign of an underlying condition. Many possible causes for stomach spasms exist, and while most cases of spasming stomachs do not do damage to the body, the following causes of stomach spasms can be troublesome if not treated.

Dehydration

Dehydration is the condition in which the body lacks sufficient water to properly function. While mild cases of the condition might be merely uncomfortable, more severe cases can lead to seizures, blood clots, and other complications that are potentially fatal. Of course, there must be prompt treatment for severe cases of dehydration, but even mild cases can have adverse impacts on energy and mood. Signs of dehydration aren't always obvious, like fatigue and thirst. Bad breath can result from a lack of sufficient saliva production; dry skin that might be flushed in appearance is another indication. But the imbalance of bodily electrolytes, such as potassium and sodium, can cause stomach spasms. Muscles need these nutrients to correctly function, so when they lack sufficient amounts, they might begin to spasm and seize up. Other symptoms of dehydration are dark urine, headache, extreme thirst, and dizziness.

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Gastroparesis

Also known as delayed gastric emptying, gastroparesis is the more accurate term because the older name fails to adequately describe completely the motor impairments that can happen within the stomach. There is not even expert agreement on the use of the main term; some reserve it solely for grossly impaired stomach emptying. Regardless, gastroparesis is the name of a clinical syndrome characterized by slow, sluggish emptying of solid food from the stomach, or more seldom, liquid nutrients as well, causing persistent digestive symptoms, particularly nausea, abdominal pain, reflux, bloating, early feelings of fullness, and vomiting. It primarily strikes in young to middle-aged women, but younger children and males may also have gastroparesis. Diagnosis relies on a radiographic gastric emptying exam. The two largest groups of gastroparesis patients have diabetes, and those with idiopathic cases, or cases for which there is no known cause.

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