Other Names : Spastic Colon
Muscles in the colon walls contract in specific ways to move stool out of the body. Contractions that are too strong or occur out of sync are called colon spasms. Colon spasms are not a condition themselves. Instead, they may indicate the presence of an underlying health condition or be a reaction to having eaten certain foods. They may be painful or cause digestive problems such as diarrhea.<br>See also : [[Irritable bowel syndrome Bowel Syndrome (IBS)]]
==Symptoms==
During digestion, the colon walls contract to move food and waste along. People will not usually feel these normal colon contractions. A colon spasm, however, may be uncomfortable and even painful. How the spasm feels depends on its cause, the severity, and any other health issues a person has. Some symptoms of a colon spasm may include:
==Causes and triggers==
A number of health conditions and foods can cause colon spasms. Often, a person may need to take note of when their colon spasms occur in order to determine what causes or triggers them.
* [[Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS )]] is a condition that affects the gastrointestinal tract. It can cause colon spasms that result in diarrhea, bloating, and other symptoms. It affects up to 45 million people in the United States, according to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD). IBS does not cause damage to the intestines and is not life threatening. However, the symptoms can cause significant physical and emotional pain. Not everyone with IBS will experience colon spasms, however. Some people may have IBS-related constipation, which is often due to slower or fewer muscle contractions in the bowel. Other people may have a combination of constipation and diarrhea.
* Food allergies and intolerances : Some people’s bodies may be unable to properly digest certain foods. This is known as an intolerance. Lactose intolerance, for example, refers to an inability to digest lactose, which is the natural sugar present in dairy products. Genetics Home Reference, a body of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), say that around 65% of the world’s population has some degree of lactose intolerance. When a person with lactose intolerance consumes dairy products, they may experience colon spasms, stomach pain, and digestive problems. A food intolerance is not the same as a food allergy. A food allergy involves an overreaction of the immune system. In severe cases, food allergies can cause life threatening symptoms, such as trouble breathing and swelling of the face or tongue. If a person comes into contact with a food they are seriously allergic to, they may need emergency treatment with epinephrine and immediate medical attention. Other foods and ingredients that may cause intolerance symptoms include:
**gluten
**fever
If a doctor diagnoses one of these conditions, treatment is available. The goal is to help manage symptoms and prevent damage to the gastrointestinal tract.
==Warnings==
If a person is experiencing symptoms of colon spasms, it is important that they see a doctor to determine the cause. They can then receive proper medical care. Conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease often require ongoing treatment. Some viruses, such as norovirus, can cause colon spasms that go away when the person recovers from the illness. These types of illnesses usually last for around 1–3 daysTrusted Source. If a person has symptoms that last longer than this, they should speak to a doctor. Also, a person should seek medical care if their symptoms are severe and accompanied by any of the following:
*swelling of the stomach
*loss of appetite
*an inability to pass stool or gas
*sweating, chills, or fever
These symptoms may indicate a blockage in the intestines, which can be serious.
[[Category:Diseases]]