Stomach cramp is a painful squeezing feeling that is experienced over a span of a few minutes.Some times we can see Stomach Cramps as a Symptom of Colon Cancer. A tumor causes a bowel obstruction, which is basically a road block in your colon. Depending on the severity of the blockage, solids, liquids, and even gas may be prevented from passing through your system. This leads to stomach cramps that can be severe, especially if the blockage restricts blood flow to the colon. Painful stomach cramps may also indicate that a tumor has perforated (poked through) the bowel wall.

Causes of Stomach Cramps
There are several health conditions that can give rise to stomach cramps. Stomach cramps may occur due to mild food poisoning, which is usually accompanied by diarrhea. Some other causes of stomach cramps are gastritis, diarrhea, constipation, gas and bloating, menstruation, lactose intolerance, food allergy and diverticulosis. Certain viral infections, infections of digestive system and infections or diseases of uterus can lead to stomach cramps.

Stress and anxiety can also be responsible for stomach cramps. Women could suffer from stomach cramps during pregnancy, childbirth and certain changes in hormonal levels during breastfeeding. Some other conditions such as appendicitis, ulcerative colitis, bowel obstruction, cholecystitis, gall bladder attacks, gastroesophageal reflux, indigestion, heartburn, irritable bowel syndrome, parasitic infections and inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are also important causes of stomach cramps.

Symptoms of Stomach Cramps
The symptoms of stomach cramps can be mild or severe depending upon the causes. Abdominal pain is the most prominent symptom of stomach cramps. There are some other symptoms such as belching, rumbling and gurgling noises and passing gas. A person may also suffer from nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and urinary problems.

How to Cure Stomach Cramps
When the symptoms of stomach cramps are noticed, the doctor suggests various tests such as certain blood tests, X-ray, etc. to find out the exact cause of stomach cramps. The treatment option is decided on the basis of diagnosis. In case of minor cramping, ibuprofen or acetaminophen is advised for menstrual cramps.

Gastritis can be cured with over-the-counter antacids or ulcer medications. Mild diarrhea can be treated with over-the-counter Imodium. If the stomach cramps are associated with stress, then they can be relieved by stress management techniques. Severe stomach cramps due to gall bladder attacks or appendicitis are treated with respective medications.

Natural Remedies for Stomach Cramps
In case of mild pain, you should avoid solid food. Have plenty of water and other fluids such as diluted juices. If the pain is severe due to indigestion or heartburn, then antacids can be taken. It is advised to avoid high-fat content foods, citrus fruits and fried stuffs. You should also avoid intake of tea, coffee or alcoholic beverages. In addition, certain abdominal exercises are also helpful in relieving stomach cramps. Before you opt for any treatment option, you should consult the doctor.

Medical Attention for Stomach Cramps

Please seek medical attention if you experience persistent or severe stomach cramps, especially if they’re accompanied by other colon cancer symptoms. It’s a medical emergency when a tumor restricts blood flow to the colon or perforates the bowel wall. Since late-stage colon cancer (usually stage 3 or stage 4) sometimes announces its presence in this fashion, many people have received a surprise colon cancer diagnosis after a trip to the emergency room.