The abdomen, the area of the body from the chest to the pelvis, contains many organs, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, spleen, appendix, kidneys, pancreas and gallbladder. Most people experience abdominal pain as a result of diseases that affect one or more of the organs in the abdominal region. Chronic abdominal cramps describe a sudden and involuntary pain in the abdomen that recurs over time.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome affects 1 in 5 Americans, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Irritable bowel syndrome describes an abnormality in the colon, a portion of the large intestine, which affects the ability of food to move through the digestive system. The most common symptoms include abdominal cramps, gas, bloating and diarrhea. Although the symptoms can be bothersome, irritable bowel syndrome does not cause inflammation or any permanent damage to the intestines, according to MayoClinic.com.
Menstrual Cramps
Most women experience menstrual cramps at some point during their child-bearing years. Abdominal cramps caused by menstruation occur in the lower region of the abdomen and may feel dull and throbbing or cause severe pain that interferes with daily activities. Some women experience menstrual cramps every month, beginning prior to the onset of menstruation and lasting during the menstrual period.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease, once thought to be a rare digestive disorder, affects more than 2 million people in the United States, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Celiac disease occurs when the body cannot tolerate gluten--a protein found in all forms of wheat, rye and barley. When those with celiac disease eat products containing gluten, the immune system reacts, causing damage to the villi, which are tiny fingerlike projections in the lining of the small intestine. Because the villi absorb nutrients into the bloodstream, damage results in malnutrition. Celiac disease causes chronic abdominal cramps, recurring gas and chronic diarrhea and/or constipation, which all lead to fatigue, unexplained weight loss and a failure to grow, especially in children.
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance describes the inability to digest lactose, the primary sugar found in milk and other dairy products. Digesting lactose requires an enzyme known as lactase that is produced by cells in the lining of the small intestine. An insufficient amount of lactase prevents lactose from breaking down into the simple sugars of galactose and glucose. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include abdominal cramps, nausea, gas and diarrhea usually occurring within 30 minutes of ingesting dairy products.
