Abdominal cramps can result from causes like muscle strain and gas. But you can also have spasms in your stomach or intestines as a symptom of another condition, including irritable bowel syndrome. Abdominal cramps, or what many people call "stomach spasms," can be contractions of your abdominal muscles (abs), stomach, or intestines. Depending on which part of your body is spasming and how badly, it might feel like a slight muscle twitch or stomach cramps. In the medical community, stomach spasms specifically refer to those that occur in the stomach, while intestinal spasms occur in the intestines. You can also have cramping or PrimeBoosts.com spasms in your abdominal muscles. It can be difficult to know which exactly you are feeling. Cramps and spasms in your abdominal region are often harmless, but they could be a symptom of an underlying condition. Read on to learn more about potential causes of cramping and spasms and when to call your doctor. Identifying the cause of your discomfort can help you treat this symptom.

Here are 11 conditions that may be responsible for your symptoms. Overworking your abdominal muscles could cause them to spasm. Spasms due to muscle strain are most likely to occur in people who do strenuous and frequent exercise, especially crunches and situps. Losing electrolytes from dehydration caused by sweating, vomiting, and diarrhea can result in muscle spasms throughout your body, including your stomach. When they don’t have electrolytes, your muscles may start working abnormally and seizing up. Learn more about identifying and treating an electrolyte imbalance. A buildup of gas in your stomach can cause your intestinal muscles to spasm as your body tries to release the gas. This can happen if you eat certain foods that cause a lot of gas or swallow a lot of air while eating or drinking. IBS is a chronic condition that affects the large intestine. The different types of IBS can cause different symptoms. Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and This product ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronic inflammatory conditions.

Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, while UC only affects the colon. In both conditions, inflammation can cause bowel spasms. Gastritis and gastroenteritis both cause stomach inflammation, but in gastroenteritis, the intestines are also inflamed. Colitis can cause abdominal cramping due to irritation and inflammation of the colon, which causes it to spasm. Parasites such as Giardia can also cause colitis. You can sometimes develop colitis from a lack of blood supply to the small bowel and colon. Spasms can occur in this type of colitis as well. Your bowels may cramp when you experience constipation. This is because they may distend in response to increased pressure inside them. An ileus is when your bowels become "lazy" or "sleepy." An ileus causes your bowels to fill with air and fluid, resulting in distention and pain. Gastroparesis, or delayed gastric emptying, is basically an ileus involving the stomach.

It most commonly occurs in those with diabetes and can cause stomach cramping, especially after eating. Stomach spasms are a common occurrence in pregnancy. Most causes of stomach spasms during pregnancy are harmless, but you should see a doctor if you have pain or constant or recurring spasms. Gas is a common symptom of pregnancy. This is because the progesterone your body produces to support the pregnancy also relaxes your muscles, including the muscles of your intestine. That slows down your digestion and allows gas to build up. Braxton-Hicks contractions, also known as false labor, often happen in the last trimester of pregnancy. They usually feel more like a tightening of muscles than the pain of actual labor, and they aren’t regular. These contractions are harmless, but it’s a good idea to check with your doctor if you experience them, especially if they become regular. When your baby kicks or rolls over, it might feel like a muscle spasm in your stomach, especially during your second trimester.