The causes of abdominal cramps vary widely, from the benign to the serious, including menstrual problems or an infection. Usually, the pain is not related to a serious illness. But medical attention should be sought if the pain is sharp, occurs suddenly, lasts longer than a day or two, or is accompanied by vomiting or constipation. To make an accurate diagnosis, a doctor will evaluate the severity, location and duration of the abdominal cramps, as well as any coexisting symptoms.
Menstrual Cramps
In the November 2004 issue of the "Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health," Dawn Durain, a researcher at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, wrote that dysmenorrhea, or menstrual cramps, affects about 25 percent of women during their reproductive years. For adolescent women, that figure rises to nearly 90 percent. The cramping, usually a dull, throbbing ache, is often caused by uterine contractions. Menstrual cramping can also be caused by uterine fibroid tumors or endometriosis. For some women, the pain is so severe that it interferes with their normal daily activities.
Food Contamination
A food-related illness, or food poisoning, happens when a person eats or drinks something that has been contaminated with bacteria. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 76 million Americans get sick each year due to eating or drinking contaminated food. About 5,000 of them die. Food poisoning symptoms usually occur about one hour after a person eats the contaminated food. Besides abdominal cramping, symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea and fever. The illness can last up to 10 days. Although it is not always necessary to seek treatment for food poisoning, members of high risk groups, such as the elderly, young children, people with chronic diseases and pregnant women, should always seek treatment. A person with food poisoning should also seek treatment if symptoms last more than 2 or 3 days or if he has bloody stools, symptoms of dehydration such as dizziness or severe thirst, or a fever above100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Peptic Ulcer
A peptic ulcer is a sore in the lining of the intestines, esophagus or stomach. It is often caused by the Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori, bacteria, although certain drugs such as ibuprofen can also be the culprit. Alcohol and cigarette consumption can aggravate the symptoms of peptic ulcers. Abdominal cramping is the most common symptom of peptic ulcers. The pain is normally worse at night and often feels better after eating. Associated symptoms include vomiting, black stool and weight loss. Peptic ulcers must be treated by a physician, who will prescribe medication to kill the bacteria.
Appendicitis
The appendix has no known purpose, but appendicitis is a potentially life-threatening condition. Appendectomies are one of the most common emergency surgeries performed in the United States. Appendicitis occurs when the appendix, an organ attached to the large intestines, becomes inflamed or irritated and fills with fluid. Appendicitis pain radiates from the navel down toward the lower right abdomen. The severity of the pain increases over time and the area is sensitive to touch. A ruptured appendix can cause serious infection, so treatment should be sought immediately if appendicitis is suspected.
References
- "Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health"; Dysmenorrhea: Assessment and Management Update; Dawn Durain, C.N.M., M.P.H.; November 2004
- CDC: Food Related Illness
- Medline Plus: Appendicitis
