Do you feel pain in your stomach? Let's talk about these 'Colon Spasms'

Have you ever felt a sudden, unbearable pain in your stomach? Or a feeling of fullness and discomfort? If these things happen frequently, the cause may be simpler than you think, or it may be something you need to be concerned about. Today we are talking about this condition called 'Colon Spasms', which many people experience but are not aware of.

Simply put, what are 'Colon Spasms'?

The final stage of the digestion process of the food we eat takes place in our large intestine (colon). To be precise, this is where the digested food is formed into feces. This large intestine is a long tube-like organ made of muscles. These muscles contract and expand to push feces out of the body.

Now imagine that these muscles suddenly contract very tightly, without our control. That's what we call a 'Colon Spasm' . When the muscles suddenly tighten like this, the normal functioning of the intestines is disrupted, and we start to experience discomfort and pain.

How does this condition make you feel? What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of 'Colon Spasms' can vary from person to person. But there are a few common symptoms. Let's take a look at what they are.

Why do these 'Colon Spasms' occur? What are the causes?

There is no single cause for this. There can be several factors at play. Sometimes this can be temporary. For example, when you eat something that doesn't suit you. But if this condition occurs frequently, you need to look for an underlying medical condition.

Main influencing factors

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): This is the most common cause of 'Colon Spasms'. IBS is a condition that occurs due to changes in the functioning of the intestines, rather than inflammation. In this case, the intestines become hypersensitive to even normal stimuli. That is why these spasms occur.
• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD): These are diseases that cause chronic inflammation of the intestines. For example, conditions like Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease can damage the intestinal walls and cause ulcers like this.
• Food Allergies/Intolerances: Some foods are not compatible with our bodies. In such cases, 'Colon Spasms' can occur as a response from the body.
• Infections: This condition can also be caused by infections in the intestines (e.g., colitis , diverticulitis ) caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites.
• Endometriosis: This is a condition that affects women. It is characterized by the growth of cells from the lining of the uterus (endometrium) outside the uterus, sometimes on the intestines. This can cause pain, inflammation, and cramping.
• Mental/Emotional Factors: You may be surprised, but there is a very strong connection between our brain and our intestinal system. Think about how you feel when you have an exam coming up, or when you have a big presentation. Similarly, things like excessive mental stress and anxiety can make our intestines hypersensitive and cause 'Colon Spasms'.

How do we control this?

When treating this, doctors don't just prescribe medication. They first try to control it by making changes in our lifestyle and eating habits.

Things to try first:

• Give your intestines a break: By going without eating for a few hours a day (intermittent fasting) , for example by skipping breakfast or eating dinner a little earlier, your digestive system can rest and recover.
• Identify foods that are not compatible (Elimination Diet): To identify which foods are causing you these problems, you can try stopping the suspect foods for a while, as advised by your doctor. The (Low-FODMAP) diet recommended for IBS patients is a good example of this.
• Exercise regularly: Simple daily exercises can help maintain a regular digestive system. Exercise also releases hormones that reduce stress and pain.
• Manage stress: As we discussed earlier, stress is a major cause of this. Some people experience pain more (Visceral hypersensitivity) . Therefore, it is very important to create mental well-being through things like meditation and yoga.
• Eat fiber and probiotics: Eating fiber-rich foods (fruits, vegetables, and legumes) can help ease bowel movements. Also, probiotic foods like yogurt can help increase the number of good bacteria in your gut and aid digestion.
• Peppermint: Drinking mint tea or taking peppermint oil capsules as directed by your doctor can help relieve these symptoms. Mint is a natural antispasmodic .

Medicines prescribed by the doctor

If the above methods do not control your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe medication based on your symptoms. Never use these without the advice of a doctor.

• Antispasmodics: Drugs that stop muscle spasms.
• Anticholinergics: Drugs that block nerve impulses (mediated by the neurotransmitter acetylcholine) that cause muscle contraction.
• Antidiarrheals: Drugs that control diarrhea.
• Antibiotics: For if there is an infection.

Should I see a doctor?

Yes, absolutely. If you're experiencing these stomach cramps and pains frequently, the best and safest thing to do is to see a doctor right away and find out exactly what's causing them, rather than just assuming "it's okay."

The doctor will perform the necessary medical tests and determine whether you have IBS, another condition like IBD, a food allergy, or an infection. An accurate diagnosis is the first step to the right treatment.

Colon Spasms Sinhala, Stomach cramps, Stomach pain, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, IBS Sinhala, Stomach bloating