Low Abdominal Cramps - Signs of Serious Illness

Just about everyone gets a stomachache from time to time. Most of the time it is nothing to worry about but sometimes it can be a sign of a serious illness.

Pain in the lower part of your abdomen is often cramp-like and feels knotted in the belly. It may be caused by trapped gas, constipation or menstrual cramps.

Causes

We all get stomachaches, upset tummies and abdominal pain from time to time. But, for most people, these are not serious and go away on their own or with some treatment. In some cases, though, abdominal pain can be a sign of a more serious illness. It's important to see a healthcare provider if the pain is severe, persistent or gets worse.

A healthcare provider will listen to your symptoms and do a physical exam. They will also ask you questions about when and where you feel the pain and what makes it better or worse. Your healthcare provider may order lab or imaging tests to find what is causing the pain.

The cause of lower abdominal pain is more likely to be problems with your intestines than other parts of the belly. This includes everyday digestive problems like trapped gas, indigestion and diarrhea and more serious gastrointestinal conditions, such as ulcers and Crohn's disease (types of inflammatory bowel disease), which may cause blood in the stool or vomit.

Your lower abdomen is also the home of your bladder and rectum. Abdominal pain can be caused by problems with these organs, including inflammation and inflammation of the bladder wall or lining, bladder stones and kidney stones, pancreatitis, gallstones and other organ infections. It can also be due to pelvic or groin injuries and conditions, such as appendicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease and some skin rashes, like shingles.

Occasionally, the pain may come from other parts of your body, such as the ribs or spine, a pulled muscle or some serious health problems, such as heart disease, pneumonia or even an infection of the blood or internal organs. Pain from these sources is less common but still worth discussing with your healthcare provider.

Your healthcare provider will be interested in the causes of your pain, no matter how serious they seem. They will pay special attention to other red flags, such as pain that doesn't go away or gets worse or is accompanied by fever, weight loss, nausea, vomiting or black stools (blood in the stool).

Symptoms

The pain you feel in your belly (abdomen) can be sharp or dull, and it may be localized to one area of your stomach or it could be all over. You might also have other symptoms, like fever, vomiting or blood in your stools or urine.

If your abdominal pain is mild and goes away after a day or so, it's unlikely to be serious. But if the pain is severe, doesn't go away or comes back frequently, talk to your doctor about it. They will want to do a physical exam and ask you questions about your symptoms and when the pain occurs.

Stomach and intestinal cramps that go with bloating and diarrhoea are often caused by trapped wind (gas). This type of pain can also be relieved by burping or passing gas (farting) or by having a bowel movement. If the pain is in one area of your stomach or intestines and doesn't go away after a few days, it could be a sign of a digestive disorder such as IBS, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or lactose intolerance.

Women who get regular lower abdominal pain in the lead-up to or during their period might be suffering from dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps). This is quite common and usually doesn't need medical attention, but see your GP if it's particularly painful or you have other symptoms like fever or vomiting.

Pain in your abdomen that gets worse over time is a sign of inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's or ulcerative colitis. This can also cause other symptoms such as blood or mucus in your stools.

If the pain in your lower abdomen seems to move around or change shape, it might be a sign that you have diverticula (diverticulosis or diverticulitis) in your colon. This can be relieved with antacids or, in more serious cases, antibiotics. If the pain is in your lower right side of your abdomen, it might be appendicitis - a condition that requires immediate medical attention.

Treatment

Pain in the lower abdomen (tummy) is very common and it's worth seeing your GP about even if it doesn't feel serious. It can be caused by a lot of different things and some of them are serious, but the level of pain doesn't always reflect the severity of the condition.

A doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine you. They will want to know when it started, where the pain is, if it's constant or comes and goes, what makes it better or worse, and how much you are bleeding (if relevant). They may also suggest taking a urine sample, blood test and stool test. Imaging tests such as an X-ray, ultrasound and CT scan are often used to help diagnose the cause of the pain.

The lower abdomen is a complex area with many organs, so it can be hard to say what's causing your pain. If the pain is in the centre of your lower abdomen, it's most likely due to a problem with your appendix (appendicitis) or colic (pain from a trapped nerve). Pain in the lower left side of your tummy is most often related to diverticulosis or diverticulitis of your colon. This is a condition where small outpouchings develop in the wall of your colon and cause pain, bloating, diarrhoea or vomiting.

Some conditions that cause pain in the lower abdomen can only be treated with medicines, for example, anti-inflammatory painkillers. Painkillers that contain paracetamol are the most suitable for most people, but other types of painkiller, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), should be avoided if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

Mild cases of abdominal or menstrual cramps are usually not serious and can be treated at home. For instance, if you're having periods, try to avoid dairy products and eat more fibre to ease the pain of period cramps. You could also take a pain reliever at the start of each day to control the discomfort.

If the pain is sudden and severe, it's important to see your GP as soon as possible. They will usually refer you to hospital for further investigations if they think your condition is serious.

Prevention

Stomach cramps are a common problem that can affect anyone. Most stomach cramps are mild and resolve on their own. But you should contact your healthcare provider if the pain is severe and persists for more than a day, or if it comes with vomiting, diarrhea or fever.

To prevent abdominal cramps, avoid foods that trigger allergies and reduce stress. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to stay hydrated. Exercise correctly, and don't work your abdominal muscles too hard. Stretching before and after strenuous exercise can help prevent muscle strain and cramps.

Food poisoning may cause cramping and diarrhea. It is usually caused by eating contaminated food. Older adults, children younger than 5, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to get sick from food poisoning.

Stomach spasms, which are contractions of your abdominal muscles, can also cause cramping and gas. These spasms can be different from cramps in your intestines, which are called intestinal spasms. Both kinds of spasms can be a symptom of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). If you are experiencing these symptoms, talk to your doctor. They can identify the cause and offer strategies to help. They can also recommend home remedies, such as peppermint or ginger tea, to ease the discomfort.