Occasional stomach cramping may be caused by indigestion, overeating or a case of viral gastroenteritis, or stomach flu. In some cases, chronic or severe cramping may require medical care or changes in your diet. If you experience persistent pain, see your doctor promptly for evaluation to rule out or confirm potentially serious health problems.
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is the inflammation of your appendix, a small organ attached to your large intestine. Appendicitis is a medical emergency, because inflammation may rapidly lead to infection and, in some cases, rupture. The first symptom of appendicitis, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, is often a dull pain around the navel that gradually gets more severe and moves to the lower right abdomen. You may also experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, chills, fever and shaking. Treatment includes surgery to remove the appendix and antibiotics to treat any infection that is present. If you think that you may have appendicitis, contact your doctor or go to the emergency room right away.
Lactose Intolerance
About 30 million adults in America lack an enzyme in their intestines called lactase, reports MedlinePlus. Lactase allows your body to properly digest the lactose, or sugar, in milk. Not having enough lactase means that you are lactose intolerant. You may experience abdominal cramping, nausea, diarrhea, flatulence and weight loss. Your symptoms may be worse after you drink milk or eat other dairy products. If you suspect that you may be lactose intolerant, see your doctor. While removing dairy products from your diet will likely alleviate your symptoms, you should replace milk with other foods that contain calcium and vitamin D.
Food Poisoning
If you eat something that contains a bacteria, virus or toxin, you may experience food poisoning. Symptoms include abdominal cramping, diarrhea, vomiting, weakness and fever. Most of the time, food poisoning will get better in a few days, notes the FamilyDoctor website. Treat yourself at home by making sure you remain well hydrated. Drink extra fluids, and when you begin feeling better, introduce a bland diet of foods such as bananas, rice, toast and applesauce. If your vomiting and diarrhea do not subside within two or three days, if you have blood in your stool or if you have a high fever, see your doctor.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome, often called IBS, is a group of symptoms rather than a disease. The symptoms include abdominal cramping, diarrhea, bloating, gas and constipation. If you have IBS, your colon does not work properly. It may contract too often, or the nerves in your colon may react to stretching. Although no cure is available for IBS, changing your diet, reducing stress and, in some cases, taking medication may help relieve your symptoms, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
