How To Get Rid Of Stomach Cramps In South Africa
Overview
Stomach spasms are 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 either a slight muscle twitch or stomach cramps.
In most cases, stomach spasms themselves are harmless, but they could be a symptom of an underlying condition. Read on to learn more about potential causes of stomach spasms and when to call your doctor.
How To Get Rid Of Stomach Cramps In South Africa
If your stomach spasms are bothering you, there are ways you can get immediate relief or treat them at home. Some at-home treatments will treat the underlying cause of muscle spasms, while others relax the stomach muscles so that they stop spasming.
If you’re having stomach spasms in pregnancy, talk to your doctor before trying any home remedies. Some home treatments may not be safe during pregnancy.
Heat
Heat can help to relax your stomach muscles. This is particularly helpful if muscle strain or overuse is causing your spasms.
Massage
Massaging your stomach muscles can help to relax them.
Chamomile tea
Chamomile can be used to calm an upset stomach and could help manage spasms. It’s also considered a home remedy for gas. Find a great selection of chamomile tea here.
Electrolytes
If your stomach spasms are caused by dehydration, replenishing your electrolytes may help. Try drinking a sports drink like Gatorade or eating a banana.
Use caution, however, if you have a history of kidney failure, because some electrolytes, particularly potassium, can rise to dangerous levels with supplements.
Also, if you develop dizziness or you pass out because of dehydration, you’ve lost a significant amount of body fluid. Seek immediate treatment in the nearest emergency room for intravenous fluid replacement to prevent your body from going into shock and to prevent damage to your heart, liver, brain, and kidneys.
Pain relievers
If your stomach spasms are painful, an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help.
You must be cautious with OTC pain medications. Ibuprofen and similar drugs can cause gastric ulcers and kidney damage if taken in excessive amounts. Acetaminophen in large amounts can cause liver damage and even liver failure. If you feel that you need to take more of these medications than the recommended dosage on the bottle, you should consult with a doctor.
Antacids
Stomach acid can cause gastritis, which in turn can cause stomach spasms. In these cases, antacids or OTC proton pump inhibitors can help your spasms by reducing stomach acid.
Rest
If your spasms are caused by muscle strain, cutting back on exercise and resting your stomach muscles will help stop the spasming.
Other treatments
Stomach spasms caused by conditions such as gas, dehydration, and muscle strain can usually be treated at home. Other conditions or severe stomach spasms usually require treatment from a doctor.
Your doctor will try to determine the underlying cause of your stomach spasms and treat that cause. Treatment might include:
- antibiotics for gastritis or gastroenteritis caused by bacteria
- a class of medication called aminosalicylates for UC and some cases of Crohn’s disease
- corticosteroids for UC and Crohn’s disease
- antispasmodic medications if you have IBS or very severe spasms not controlled by other treatments
Preventing stomach spasms
If your stomach spasms are caused by a condition such as inflammatory bowel disease or IBS, treating those conditions is the best method to prevent stomach spasms. For stomach spasms caused by muscle strain, gas, or dehydration, here are some ways you can help prevent them from happening:
- Exercise correctly. Working your muscles hard can be good for your health, but working them too hard or incorrectly can lead to injuries. Always make sure you use proper form and rest if you need to.
- Stay hydrated. A loss of electrolytes due to dehydration can cause stomach spasms. Making sure you stay hydrated, therefore, can help reduce spasms.
- Changing your diet may help prevent stomach spasms caused by gas, gastritis, IBS, and inflammatory bowel disorders.
- If gas is causing your stomach spasms, limiting fiber intake might help. Eating fiber can help people with constipation caused by IBS and gastritis.
- Limit your alcohol consumption.
- Limit spicy foods, which can irritate your stomach and make spasms worse.
- Fatty foods can also increase symptoms in these conditions and should be limited.
- If you have an inflammatory bowel disease, work with your doctor to find the safest foods for you to eat.
Outlook for stomach spasms
Stomach spasms can sometimes just be normal muscle movement, and are often caused by conditions treatable at home.
Sometimes they can be a sign of a problem that requires a doctor’s attention, however. If your stomach spasms are severe, persistent, or last longer than a few days, or if you have fever, blood in the stool or vomitus, or persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, you need to seek medical attention.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What causes stomach cramps?
Common causes of stomach cramps include eating foods that can irritate your stomach, constipation, food poisoning, or a stomach infection. People who have anxiety may also develop stomach cramps. Pregnant people may experience stomach cramps as the fetus grows.
How do you get rid of stomach cramps in 5 minutes?
Applying a heating pad, hot water bottle, hot towel, or heat wrap over the abdomen and back helps relax the muscles in the abdomen and relieve abdominal cramps and pain. The temperature should ideally be 104° Fahrenheit. Taking a hot bath with bubbles and essential oils or hot showers can also help.
How long do stomach cramps last?
Harmless abdominal pain usually subsides or goes away within two hours. Some of the common causes for stomach pain are from: Gas: Formed in the stomach and intestines as your body breaks down food, gas can cause general stomach pain and cramps. This often can be indicated by belching or flatulence.
How should I lay with a stomach ache?
Start out on your left side at night to prevent heartburn and allow gravity to move waste through your colon
What does a gas pain feel like?
Passing gas. Pain, cramps or a knotted feeling in your abdomen. A feeling of fullness or pressure in your abdomen (bloating) An observable increase in the size of your abdomen (distention)
How long can gas pains last?
While trapped gas may cause discomfort, it usually passes on its own after a few hours. Some people may be able to relieve pain due to trapped gas using natural remedies, certain body positions, or OTC medications. Avoiding known trigger foods or drinks can help prevent trapped gas from occurring
Does rubbing your stomach help a stomach ache?
Massaging your stomach can help to move stool along the inside of your colon. It may help relieve symptoms of tightness, pressure, cramping and bloating. Start on the right side of your stomach down by the bone of your pelvis.
Why is stomach pain worse at night?
Digestive problems are considered the most common cause of stomach pain at night. Eating close to bedtime means digestion is more likely to occur while lying down, making it easier for stomach acid to travel back up the digestive tract.
Is lying on stomach good?
According to the Mayo Clinic, sleeping on your stomach places a strain on your back and spine. This is because most of your weight is in the middle of your body. This makes it difficult to maintain a neutral spine position when you’re sleeping. Stress on the spine increases stress on other structures in your body.
Why do I have so much gas but can’t poop?
In some cases, excessive gas may signal a digestive condition, such as: IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is a gastrointestinal disorder that causes symptoms like persistent gas along with bloating, abdominal pain, mucus in your stool, changes in bowel habits and feeling like you haven’t finished a bowel movement.
Do you have to push hard to pass gas?
According to the Mount Sinai Medical Center, a tumor, scar tissue (adhesions), or narrowing of the intestines are all likely causes of abdominal obstruction. If you’re experiencing gas pain and you either can’t pass gas or have excessive flatulence, speak to your healthcare provider.
Can a hot shower help relieve gas?
A warm bath with not only leave you feeling stress-free, it can also leave you feeling bloat-free as well. The warmth of a bath or heating bad can help relieve any sore abdominal muscles and stress on your gastrointestinal tract.
Does hot water help relieve gas?
Hot water. Drinking warm or hot water can help get rid of gas immediately. Your body uses less energy to break down food when warm water is consumed, which allows for improved digestion and less gas.
Is sleeping naked better for your health?
If sleeping naked helps you receive the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night, then it’s worth trying. Research suggests that sleeping naked may potentially positively impact reproductive health, connection with a partner, and self-esteem
What point do you press for gas?
Point location: Roughly 1 1/2 inches below the navel. To massage this point: Place two to three fingers on the point location. Using gentle pressure, move fingers in a circular motion.