Intestinal spasm - treatment, symptoms and causes. Intestinal spasms: symptoms and treatment Intestinal spasms, symptoms and treatment

11.03.2020 -

Cramping pain in the epigastric region often indicates a spasm. Intestinal colic may signal the development of certain gastrointestinal diseases. intestinal tract. If you detect frequently recurring symptoms, it is recommended to consult a specialist. If serious pathologies will not be detected, you can try treating intestinal spasms at home.

Symptoms and manifestations

The most likely one is a sharp spasmodic pain in the intestinal area that occurs and goes away suddenly. However, spasms do not simply occur, so other symptoms may appear against the background of existing diseases.

Eg, in the presence of spasms are accompanied soreness in the stomach, nausea or vomiting, weight loss due to temporary refusal to eat and dyspepsia.

For stomach ulcers and duodenum the pain increases sharply, especially on an empty stomach or at night when the patient is sleeping. At sharp deterioration condition, in addition to intestinal spasm, pain occurs on the right side, hepatic colic appears, the skin acquires a yellowish tint, and the patient vomits bile.

If you have pancreatic diseases spasms are accompanied by bloating, girdle pain and incessant vomiting.

Infectious bowel diseases are accompanied by spasticity, high temperature, vomiting, nausea and persistent diarrhea. At the same time, in feces ah, the impurities of mucus and blood are clearly visible.

sharply occurring spasms are short-lived and gradually subside. They are the result of the accumulation of gases and feces. Incessant vomiting may occur. The abdomen becomes very bloated.

Important! If the patient does not seek medical help within 24 hours, he may die.

Causes

Colic is the result of impaired motor skills. Their the following factors contribute to the appearance:

overstretching of the intestinal wall;
irritation of nerve endings;
decreased smooth muscle tone;
impaired ability to contract smooth muscles;
the appearance of pathological peristalsis: strengthening or weakening, partial loss of peristaltic waves;
the appearance of obstacles to the movement of feces.

Important! If spasticity is a symptomatic result of another disease, it should be treated.

Most often, colic develops against the background helminthic infestations, stomach and duodenal ulcers, inflammation of the gallbladder, pancreatitis. Often enteroviruses, severe intoxication and dietary errors provoke painful condition.

In persons with an unstable psyche and a tendency to worry excited nervous system negatively affects the intestines, causing spasticity, pain, diarrhea and anorexia.

Types of intestinal colic

Depending on the cause and location of pain There are several types of intestinal colic:

Appendicular– develops in the area of appendicitis and is the result of inflammation of the cecum. Typically, such colic is a harbinger of an attack of appendicitis. Localization - on the right side in the lower abdomen (at the level of the ovaries in women).
Rectal- contraction of the rectum, which is accompanied by the urge to defecate. Contraction of the anal sphincter often occurs in people prone to constipation.
Lead– result of salt poisoning heavy metals. The patient develops hyperthermia, the abdomen becomes tense, and swelling appears on the gums. gray plaque and bleeding occurs in the mouth. There is no specific antidote.
Vascular- the result of intestinal hypoperfusion, which often develops during a hypertensive crisis, atherosclerosis, vein thrombosis, or compression of blood vessels by tumors or adhesions.

Diagnostics

Most often, to find out how to relieve pain, the patient goes to see a therapist or gastroenterologist. Both specialists will help you understand the cause of the discomfort and, if necessary, refer you for a consultation with a surgeon.

To begin with, general clinical studies are carried out: the patient surrenders general analysis blood and urine. The first is necessary to identify hidden inflammatory processes, anemia, and the second is needed to detect sugar or other disorders, for example, problems with the exchange of bile acids. It may be necessary to additionally submit feces for a coprogram to rule out intestinal bleeding or helminthic infestation. Biochemical analysis blood will show the condition of the liver, kidneys and pancreas.

If significant laboratory abnormalities are detected the patient may be referred for an X-ray examination, ultrasound of internal organs, CT or MSCT abdominal cavity.

Referral to an endoscopist is necessary for tests such as: colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Latest diagnostic methods will help identify the exact cause of the patient’s painful condition.

Treatment

How can you relieve intestinal spasms? If severe attacks begin, it is not recommended to relieve pain on your own using heating pads, enemas, muscle relaxants and antispasmodics. Without proper knowledge, self-medication can be harmful.

Important! Therapy can be carried out only after the arrival of doctors, when they exclude signs of life-threatening conditions, such as an attack acute appendicitis and intestinal obstruction.

If an operable cause has been ruled out, doctors prescribe. If the pain is the result of a neuropsychic shock, sedatives are prescribed.

“No-spa” has an antispasmodic effect, as well as medicines based on belladonna extract. If spasms are accompanied by bloating, it is necessary to adjust the diet and eliminate gas-forming products. Spasticity due to stool disorder is relieved with antidiarrheal medications.

Remedies symptoms and treatment of intestinal colic in adults folk remedies:

If the contractions are not pathological, then during an exacerbation, a heating pad is placed on the stomach with warm water . In other cases, this is contraindicated.

Antispasmodics will help relieve the painful condition. Medicines based on papaverine, drotaverine, platyphylline, mebeverine act best on the smooth muscles of the intestinal tract. Examples trade names: “No-shpa”, “Papaverine”, “Sparex”, “Dyutan”, “Platifillin”.

Sedatives are prescribed depending on the degree of neuropsychic shock. Can be used herbal remedies, barbiturates, bromides (Corvalol, valerian tincture, motherwort tincture, Persen).

Prevention

If the discomfort is not pathological character , but is situational and does not interfere with the patient’s life, a diet is suitable for prevention. A balanced diet with a limit on fatty, fried and spicy foods normalizes your general condition.

To prevent the occurrence of cramps, food should be taken 4-5 times a day and in such quantities that you leave the table with a slight feeling of hunger. It is also recommended to protect yourself from stress and nervous shock.

Conclusion

Intestinal spasms can be neurogenic, pathological and physiological in nature. Before starting self-medication at home, it is recommended to consult a doctor to rule out life-threatening conditions. Timely treatment of the underlying disease minimizes the risk of complications.

The information on our website is provided by qualified doctors and is for informational purposes only. Don't self-medicate! Be sure to consult a specialist!

Gastroenterologist, professor, doctor of medical sciences. Prescribes diagnostics and carries out treatment. Study Group Expert inflammatory diseases. Author of more than 300 scientific papers.

familiar to everyone: spasms can occur due to various reasons, and it is important to know what measures can be taken and what to do if pain suddenly appears.

Depending on the cause of the spasms, they are usually accompanied by other symptoms of a particular disease or disorder. Symptoms appear together or sequentially one after another. The whole picture will allow the doctor to make the correct diagnosis:

Abdominal pain. The pain is key symptom, which determines spasm in the intestines. The pain can be either severe or not very intense, recurring, increasing or constant. Sometimes, due to the nature of the pain, a spasm can be confused with intestinal colic.
Flatulence and bloating along with intestinal cramps can be symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. This diagnosis is usually made when these symptoms recur over several months.
Diarrhea. Diarrhea and cramps may indicate both irritable bowel syndrome and dysbiosis caused by viral infection. The doctor will make an accurate diagnosis after performing the necessary tests.
Urge to defecate. Sometimes spasms are accompanied by a false urge to defecate, which does not lead to the desired relief. In fact, the spasm itself is the cause of tenesmus. The smooth muscles of the colon contract, causing a sensation of “twisting” in the abdomen and a false desire to go to the toilet.
Feeling of insufficient bowel movements. Many people are familiar with this feeling of unfinished bowel movement when in fact the process has already been completed. If this is accompanied by cramps, there is a possibility of developing irritable bowel syndrome. However, if you have other symptoms such as bleeding during bowel movements, pain in the anus, this may be a sign of more serious illnesses: polyps in the intestines, tumors, internal hemorrhoids.
Nausea itself is a sign of gastrointestinal dysfunction. Nausea and cramps may be symptoms of two various diseases accompanying each other (gastritis and dysbacteriosis) or one disease that unites them (irritable bowel syndrome, colitis).
Menstrual pain. Pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation in women is often accompanied by cramps in the intestines and even diarrhea. Typically, such disorders are observed in young nulliparous women. With the birth of the first child, the pain often stops.

Treatment and prevention

The most in a simple way To relieve pain from spasms in the intestines is to take painkillers and antispasmodics, such as Ketorol, Nise, Bral, Spazmalgon, Papaverine. However, you should not ignore spasms even in cases where the pain goes away after taking medications. Constant cramps in the intestines are a reason to consult a doctor. If the medications do not help, the pain intensifies, it is necessary to call ambulance. This may be a sign of a serious illness or disorder in the body. A fatal outcome is not excluded, so delaying medical help is not recommended.

It is advisable to take various painkillers after visiting a doctor and undergoing tests, since antispasmodics can only lubricate clinical picture. If spasms in the intestines are caused by stress, the doctor may prescribe massage, physical therapy, and sedatives. In case of intestinal dysbiosis caused by a viral infection and the use of antibiotics, the doctor also prescribes probiotics or prebiotics to restore the intestinal microflora.

When the root cause is eliminated, the spasms go away on their own.

Sometimes intestinal spasms occur in infants during the formation of microflora (children are born with a sterile intestine). In this case, you should not self-medicate, and even more so, you should not give the child any medications other than those prescribed by the pediatrician (usually prescribed only). If your baby is screaming, you can put a warm blanket on his stomach or hold him close to you so that his stomach is in contact with your body. The heat will relieve the spasm.

TO preventive measures consumption of fiber-rich foods (cereals, bread made from flour) coarse, vegetables), and fish, as well as fresh fruits and dairy products. All products must be fresh. You need to eat without drinking, so as not to dilute gastric juice. Physical activity will not only help keep your body in shape, but will help you avoid many intestinal problems such as constipation, hemorrhoids, and lazy bowel syndrome.

You can learn about how the intestines work from the video:

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Intestinal colic, or intestinal spasm, occurs when the smooth muscles that make up the intestinal wall suddenly contract. IN normal conditions rhythmic contraction muscle wall intestines promotes the evacuation of food. With some disorders, the muscles contract suddenly and intensely - intestinal spasm develops.

What is intestinal spasm? Irritation of the intestinal walls activates nerve endings, which disrupts the tone of smooth muscle tissue. In this case, the rhythmic contraction of the intestine becomes difficult and heterogeneous peristalsis appears: peristaltic waves are weakened in some places and intensified in others. Naturally, this will manifest itself in severe and sharp pain. Along with this, the evacuation of intestinal contents is disrupted, since on the way food bolus obstacles appear.

The mechanism of development of intestinal colic is multiple intestinal spasms

Why does this condition develop?

Intestinal spasms can develop against the background of organic and functional changes in the gastrointestinal tract, as well as with improper and irregular nutrition. Such manifestations signal the patient that he should consult a specialist and undergo an examination.

The main causes of intestinal spasms are as follows:

Diseases that disrupt the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract: helminthic infestation, dysbacteriosis, cholelithiasis, gastritis and peptic ulcer, nonspecific ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, intestinal polyposis, irritable bowel syndrome and others.
Ingress of pathogenic bacteria during consumption of spoiled foods;
Fast food, constant overeating, which leads to poor digestion of food in the stomach and increased stress on the intestines;
Stress as a factor in the development of functional changes in the gastrointestinal tract, including the development of intestinal spasms on nervous soil;
Heavy metal poisoning;
Sedentary lifestyle;
Functional intestinal failure (as observed in infants);
Increased intra-abdominal pressure and hormonal changes are the cause of cramps in pregnant women.

Important: Intestinal colic can develop due to obstruction or intussusception. These are acute surgical pathologies that require emergency hospitalization and, most often, surgery. The condition of the patients is deteriorating significantly, so if you contact a specialist in a timely manner, skip life threatening pathology is difficult.

Symptoms of the disease

Symptoms of intestinal cramps depend on the location. Most often, the problem is localized in the small intestine, less often in the large intestine or in the entire intestine. In addition to severe pain, intestinal colic is characterized by other symptoms, which vary depending on the location.

Spasm of the large intestine is always accompanied by a violation of bowel movements: constipation appears, false urges, .
Spasm small intestine accompanied by impaired absorption of nutrients. Food moves faster through the intestines, which is accompanied by rumbling, increased gas formation, diarrhea, and often vomiting.

With long-term, frequently recurring spasms, absorption is impaired. useful substances, the content of vitamins and minerals decreases, which leads to the following symptoms: headache, decreased performance, sleep disturbance, nausea.

Signs of intestinal colic in a baby

Intestinal spasms in infants appear due to functional failure digestive system, which occurs in half of newborns. The spasm occurs in the first months of life and usually disappears by six months. Frequent attacks may indicate some serious disorder, so if intestinal spasms occur frequently in an infant, you should immediately consult a specialist.

During intestinal colic, the baby is restless, does not sleep or eat. There is regurgitation and rumbling in the abdomen, bloating, and tension in the anterior abdominal wall. The baby moves his legs towards his stomach, trying to relieve the condition. The attack lasts from half an hour to three hours. Improvement usually occurs after defecation or passing of gas. If, outside of an attack of intestinal spasm, the child is calm, eats well, gains weight according to his age, and attacks do not occur frequently, then there is no need to worry. However, a preventive appointment with a specialist will not harm anyone.

Diagnosis of intestinal colic

It is important that this article is not a guide to action. Diagnostic plan, as well as medical tactics, are determined strictly individually depending on the patient’s age and body condition. The doctor selects a list of additional examinations only after a conversation with the collection of complaints and medical history. Afterwards, palpation of the abdomen is performed, on the basis of which important symptoms that may indicate emergency conditions are excluded.

Palpation of the abdomen to exclude acute surgical pathology

Then general clinical tests are carried out and additional methods research.

General blood test (detection of markers acute inflammation, assessment of the state of the hematopoietic system, detection of anemia).
Urinalysis to assess kidney function.
Biochemical blood test to exclude liver diseases (determination of liver transaminases and bilirubin).
Fecal occult blood test.
Ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs.
X-ray of the abdominal organs with contrast (the main method for excluding intestinal obstruction).
Endoscopic research methods (FGDS, colonoscopy) for diagnosing organic changes in the stomach and intestines.

How to relieve a spasm: first aid

Tip: In order to eliminate cramps in the intestines, it is recommended to apply a warm (but not hot) heating pad to your stomach. You can also take antispasmodics (no-spa, spasmalgon and others). A single dose of the drug will relieve pain, after which the patient can see a doctor.

If the spasm is of high intensity and cannot be relieved with a warm heating pad and a single dose, call an ambulance to rule out acute surgical conditions.

Cramps during pregnancy can also be relieved with a warm heating pad, tea with mint and lemon balm, but taking any medications without consulting a gynecologist is strictly prohibited. Stroking the tummy and applying a warm diaper will help eliminate or alleviate intestinal colic in a baby.

Regular massage of the child’s abdomen helps normalize intestinal activity and prevent the development of spasms.

Important: There are no antispasmodics approved by the manufacturer for use in children of the first year of life, so before looking at your first aid kit and giving your child any medicine, consult a specialist.

Treatment methods

In addition to eliminating symptoms, treatment of intestinal spasms involves normalizing gastrointestinal function and treating concomitant pathologies. First of all, you should change your diet:

Avoid eating legumes, processed foods, black bread, carbonated drinks, beer, smoked and spicy foods.
Add baked vegetables and fruits, first courses, and steamed food to your diet.
Increase consumption of foods containing a large number of fiber: cereals, durum wheat pasta, bakery products from wholemeal flour.
Eat small portions 4-5 times a day, the last meal should be 4 hours before bedtime.

These rules will especially help pregnant women, since during pregnancy any medications can be harmful. Considering that during pregnancy the causes of cramps are functional changes intestines, following a diet will help prevent and avoid the development of intestinal colic.

To treat intestinal spasms, doctors prescribe probiotics and enterosorbents to almost every patient. These drugs will help restore microflora and eliminate toxins in the intestines, which will certainly improve the function of the gastrointestinal tract. According to indications, other drugs may be prescribed depending on the existing pathology.

For intestinal colic due to nervousness, taking sedatives, prescription of restorative massage and physiotherapy. However, before this, all possible organic reasons spasm.

Prevention methods

The main methods of preventing intestinal spasms are proper, fractional meals. This is especially important for pregnant women and nursing mothers. Remember, intestinal colic in a baby is mainly due to the fact that the mother consumes unacceptable foods, which, together with breast milk enter the child's body.

A spasm is a sudden contraction of smooth muscle. It can occur in both the small and large intestines, but more often the spasm affects small intestine. Spastic contractions are often generalized and spread to the entire intestine.

Intestinal spasm: symptoms

The muscle tissue of the intestinal walls provides peristalsis and the movement of food through the digestive tract. Under normal conditions, the functioning of this organ is coordinated and rhythmic. Disturbances in the functioning of the wall muscles can lead to intestinal spasm and retention of its contents.

Most frequent symptoms intestinal spasms become:

false urge to defecate;
phenomena of flatulence and bloating;
discomfort and cramping pain in the intestines;
constipation and feeling of incomplete emptying;
violation of stool character.

All of the above manifestations of spasm can occur simultaneously, they can periodically disappear and appear again. Associated symptoms Intestinal spasms can result in headache, sleep problems, weakness, malaise, frequent urination in small portions, nausea, etc.

With intestinal spasm, other symptoms may be observed depending on the reasons that caused it. They have important diagnostic value. In addition to collecting anamnesis, to determine the causes of intestinal spasm, the doctor may prescribe urine and blood tests, stool examination for the presence of helminths, and examination of the digestive tract using various methods.

Causes of intestinal spasm

The most common causes of intestinal cramps:

As already mentioned, self-medication is dangerous, it can lead to the development severe complications and the emergence of serious consequences. Therefore, if intestinal spasms occur regularly, it is necessary to visit a gastroenterologist to make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

To relieve intestinal spasms, drugs that have an antispasmodic effect are used. These include no-shpa, spamalgon and their derivatives.

In addition to taking antispasmodics, treatment for intestinal spasms includes changing your diet. For such problems, table No. 4 is usually prescribed, which provides for the exclusion of legumes, unprocessed fruits and vegetables, chocolate, all semi-finished products, fatty meats and fish, smoked foods, pickles, ice cream and chilled drinks. Meals should be small, about 4-5 times a day.

There are diseases accompanied by intestinal spasms that require surgical treatment, but only a specialist can make such a decision.

Medicines for intestinal spasms

Drug treatment intestinal spasms should be prescribed by a doctor depending on the pathology that caused the problem. Medications used for intestinal spasms include:

intestinal antibiotics and antiseptics used for infections. These are Kanamycin, Gentamicin, Biseptol, Enteroseptol, Levomycetin and others;
remedies recommended for vascular atherosclerosis. These include Nitroglycerin, Nifedipine and others;
antihypertensive drugs. They are prescribed when blood flow to the digestive organs deteriorates. Representative – Andipal;
means used to relieve an attack - Papaverine, belladonna extract, No-shpa and others.

After the intestinal spasm and pain have disappeared, the patient should remain under observation for some time. The next few days you should pay attention to possible symptoms diseases, such as repeated spasms, pain, especially of an increasing nature, vomiting, constipation, etc.

Diet for intestinal spasms

During the attack and for some time after it, the patient is advised not to eat any food. The subsequent diet for intestinal spasms should be complete and rich in vitamins, Special attention It is worth paying attention to the content of B vitamins and ascorbic acid.

It is imperative to exclude foods to which the patient is allergic. It is better to reduce the amount of meat products in the diet as much as possible. Fatty foods, mayonnaise, hot spices, white bread and pastries, legumes, as well as other foods that cause flatulence should be completely avoided.

A diet for intestinal spasms involves frequent fractional meals, at least 5 times a day.

How to relieve intestinal spasms

For most of the above reasons, treatment should only be prescribed by a doctor. But you can relieve intestinal spasms at home yourself. For this you can use various ways, the most famous of them rectal suppositories with belladonna, a decoction of mint and lemon balm, a tablet of drotaverine, spasmalgon or no-shpa.

With spasms of the small intestine, unless they are caused by intoxication or infection, pain and discomfort usually disappear quickly after the passage of gas or bowel movement. If there is no improvement, you can re-take the selected remedy in an increased dosage. But if there is no improvement even after this, you should seek medical help.

As home methods for getting rid of intestinal spasms, you should not use a warm heating pad applied to your stomach. Such an event can only aggravate the problem and worsen the course of the disease.

Intestinal spasm in a child

Intestinal spasms in a child in most cases are associated with insufficient maturity of the digestive system. If symptoms of spasm appear, you should visit a gastroenterologist or pediatrician to rule out possible pathological reasons such a phenomenon.

To combat intestinal colic in young children, you can use regular tummy massage; you can do it at home yourself, stroking the baby’s belly clockwise. A warm heating pad or a diaper heated with an iron, applied to the stomach, also helps relieve intestinal spasms.

In some cases, your doctor may prescribe special means to combat intestinal spasms in children. Usually these are probiotics or antispasmodics. However, you should not start taking such medications on your own.

Intestinal spasms during pregnancy

Intestinal spasms during pregnancy most often occur when the egg migrates to the uterus. Such symptoms occur a few days after conception, and are usually not very pronounced. Another cause of pain and spasms may be hormonal changes. female body. For more later intestinal spasms occur when the growing fetus exerts pressure on internal organs. If you have recurring or severe colic, you should definitely consult your local doctor.

You can cope with dull, mild pain during pregnancy with the help of a warm heating pad, but warm your stomach by any means during pregnancy. acute pain and severe bloating is not allowed. During pregnancy, you need to monitor your diet and diet. To get rid of intestinal spasms during pregnancy, you can also use children's drug Espumisan. It is also possible to take No-shpa.

Types of intestinal spasms

Colon spasm

When spasms of the large intestine are usually observed frequent urge to defecation, constipation may also occur. In such cases, even after visiting the toilet, there remains a feeling of incomplete emptying, and after a short period of time the urge begins again. Prolonged chronic spasms of the large intestine can lead to the development of a deficiency of certain vitamins that are synthesized in this organ. At severe course This pathology can cause bleeding disorders and anemia.

Small intestinal spasm

Irritation of the mucous membrane of the small intestine leads to impaired absorption of water, and then to the occurrence of diarrhea. Spasm of the small intestine is often accompanied by vomiting, rumbling in the stomach, low blood pressure, bloating and headaches. Along with diarrhea and vomiting, a person loses a large amount of fluid and minerals, which leads to certain disorders. The muscles of the lower leg are the first to react to this. A person may also experience weakness, a feeling of malaise and fever. You can relieve spasms of the small intestine with the help of painkillers or antispasmodics. In addition, if symptoms of dehydration occur, the patient is given saline solutions.

Severe cramps in the intestines

For severe intestinal spasms, it is better to resort to medical care. If it is not possible to immediately call a doctor or an ambulance, then you can try to relieve the spasm yourself. To do this, use 1-2 tablets of No-shpa, 1-2 tablets of Platyphylline or Papaverine, a warm infusion of mint or lemon balm (you can drink it or administer it with an enema), suppositories or tablets with belladonna extract. Drugs in the form of tablets can be used in cases where the patient does not have vomiting or diarrhea.

After the spasm is relieved, you need to monitor the patient for some time, as he may develop diarrhea, constipation or flatulence. Intestinal spasms caused by infection or obstruction require hospital treatment. If the cause is colic - poor nutrition, then relief occurs after defecation.

If you have severe intestinal spasms, you should avoid any food for about 10-12 hours. During this period, you can drink sweetened tea or water, and also chew on a few bread crumbs.

Pain and cramps in the intestines

Severe pain and intestinal spasms in most cases are signs of serious diseases. Treatment of such pathologies must be comprehensive.

Firstly, when pain and spasms appear, it is imperative to establish the cause of these phenomena and try to eliminate it. For this purpose they are used special drugs or other means.

In case of severe spasms, to alleviate the patient’s condition, he is usually prescribed drugs that have antispasmodic effect. To reduce the severity of inflammatory processes, they can also be prescribed non-steroidal drugs with anti-inflammatory effect.

Thirdly, if necessary, pathogenetic therapy is carried out to normalize the functioning of the digestive system. Enzymatic preparations or sorbents can be used in this capacity.

Nervous spasm of the intestines

Nervous situations and stress often lead to muscle strain in the body. This causes spasms and circulatory problems. Nervous spasm of the intestines occurs quite often, but coping with it can be quite difficult. Conventional means may not help in such situations. An important point in the fight against nervous spasms is overcoming stress. This can be done through meditation, auto-training, yoga, Pilates and other relaxing techniques.

Helps with nerve spasms and products based on medicinal plants. In such situations, herbs with a sedative effect are usually used, such as motherwort, mint, lemon balm, valerian, hop cones and others. You can make tea, decoction or infusion from these plants, or you can take medications based on them.

One of discomfort is an intestinal spasm that appears due to various factors. This disease is quite common among people, and most often affects the small intestine. Intestinal spasms are accompanied by unpleasant pain. To prevent the development of complications, it is necessary to understand the reasons why the disease develops.

What is a disease?

The intestines are vital important body who works constantly without breaks. The functioning of the organ is influenced by various factors such as diet, bad habits and earlier incurable diseases. Spasms in the intestines are processes of a sharp contraction of the smooth muscle lining of the intestines. The disease is characterized by cramping pain, at the same time with which constipation or diarrhea begins, cramps, a feeling of discomfort, tingling, strong spasmodic contractions of the smooth muscles of the intestines.

Simultaneously with cramps, diarrhea may begin.

There are several types of intestinal spasms. The rectal type is characterized by a false urge to defecate. There are appendicular spasms, which are characterized by increasing pain in the right side, manifested on initial stages development of appendicitis. Lead spasm is characterized by painful sensations, gases, tense abdominal muscles, fever, bloating.

Causes of the disease

In adult patients

Spasms in the intestines have a variety of causes, but the exact factors have not been identified by scientists until now. A spasm in the intestines occurs after a normal meal, and some doctors agree that the disease is a consequence of a mental or physical disorder. The main factors influencing the development of the disease in an adult patient include:

constantly occurring overeating, poor diet and other disorders, due to which digestive tract poorly digested foods enter;
disturbed intestinal microflora, flatulence and the appearance of infection due to the consumption of expired products or the ingestion of bacteria from food;
the appearance of helminths in the body;
poisoning caused by the action of inorganic toxins;
infection with flu or colds;
viral exposure;
food allergic reactions;
low physical activity, lack of sports stress on the body.

In childhood

Spasms in children have similar symptoms to intestinal colic.

Intestinal spasms also occur in children, and mothers confuse this disease with intestinal colic. Colic is characterized by short-term pain that appears as a result of flatulence or another disease. spasm in childhood may have varying degrees manifestations pain. For intestinal cramps medium degree severity, it is enough to take the baby in your arms so that his condition returns to normal and the child can calm down. If it is observed high degree manifestations of spasms, you need to seek help from a doctor who will give recommendations.

In pregnant women

Intestinal cramps appear in the early stages of pregnancy, when the egg moves into the uterus. In this case, the disease is mild in nature. With hormonal changes, paroxysmal pain and spasms occur, and later the disease is accompanied by fetal pressure on the area female organs. For frequently recurring ailments, you should consult a doctor to prevent the development of complications.

What are the symptoms of intestinal spasm?

The main symptoms of intestinal spasms include:

tingling and pain in the abdomen, which have varying degrees of severity;
, bloating - the main symptoms of irritable bowel;
diarrhea or constipation appears (but this set is also a symptom of dysbiosis);
false urges to defecate, which do not end properly;
feeling that the intestines were not completely cleansed;
the appearance of nausea and gas;
pain due to menstruation, which disappears after the birth of the first child.

If there are spasms and signs of unclean bowel movements, they speak of irritable bowel. But if these symptoms are accompanied by bleeding, then this indicates the development of complications such as polyps, tumors and internal hemorrhoids.

Postoperative cramps

Intestinal obstruction may be an indicator for repeated surgical intervention.

Postoperative spasms occur due to the proliferation of adhesions. As a result of the gluing of the loops, the movement of the organ begins to change, and in some cases it stops. Diagnosing emerging nodes will not be difficult. After surgery, the patient experiences paroxysmal pain and cramps, which intensify after physical activity. With constipation, the patient experiences a feeling of discomfort, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The most dangerous complication is considered intestinal obstruction, in which the patient suddenly loses weight and suffers from cramping pain. Therefore, over time, another operation occurs to remove adhesions.

Diagnostic methods

Staging correct diagnosis- key moment. To establish the type of disease and its cause, the doctor needs to conduct comprehensive diagnostics. It includes general examination patient, taking an anamnesis. For a clearer study, a general analysis of stool and blood is used. The final stage It becomes a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.

Treatment of intestinal spasm

Use of drugs

Drug treatment should be prescribed by a doctor based on the cause of the disease.

Drug treatment is selected depending on what factors provoked the development of the disease. The medicine is selected only by the attending physician, taking into account individual characteristics body. To treat spasms caused by bacteria, an antibiotic or antiseptic is used to kill the infection. Nitroglycerin is used to improve arterial patency. If attacks of spasms are caused by poor blood flow to the organs, antihypertensive drugs and antispasmodics are prescribed. To reduce the level of pain, it is recommended to take painkillers. If these medications do not help with constipation, flatulence, and vomiting, emergency medical attention is needed.