Colon Spasms
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Do you need help coping with spasms in the colon? As you know, they cause significant morbidity due to the discomfort you experience in conjunction with your other IBS symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, wind and bloating. Spasms are arguably the single most disabling symptom of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and a common cause of hospital admission due to concerns of other acute abdominal complaints; yes they really can be that severe in some sufferers!
What Causes Spasms?
Your gut spasms are caused by dysfunctional, forceful contractions of the bowel. The bowel wall is essentially a muscular tube and these muscles can suddenly go in to spasm resulting in the cramping abdominal pain recognised by IBS sufferers. No one knows why spasms occur although it is probably due to increased sensitivity of the bowel with complex interactions between the brain and gut as part of the so called brain-gut axis.
The brain-gut axis is a model that has some credence. We know that the brain has complex neuronal pathways that are influenced by various stimuli including smell, taste, sight, sound. These stimuli cause changes in the sufferer’s thoughts, emotions and feelings. The brain is connected to the gut via the spinal cord and complex set of nerves. Changes in thoughts and emotions can result in exaggerated nerve transmissions to the gut resulting in the colon spasms and other symptoms associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. We all know this right? Yes, even in non-IBS sufferers we know that at times of stress such as exams or an interview, a visit to the toilet due to spasms is a common occurrence!
Diagram outlining the Brain-Gut axis
Investigation of Spasms
The abdominal pain associated with colon spasms often prompts investigation of the bowel to exclude other causes of abdominal pain. I have already outlined that the pain can sometimes be so severe that sufferers are sometimes admitted to hospital. Investigations such as blood tests, a colonoscopy procedure , x-ray tests such as CT-colonography maybe undertaken to exclude other causes of spasms such as colon cancer early symptoms, Diverticulitis symptoms, inflammatory bowel disease and many more.
Spasms due to IBS can be treated in various ways. These may include both pharmacological treatments with anti-spasm drugs such as Buscopan and Mebeverine, lifestyle changes, diet, hypnosis, homeopathy and many more. You can learn more about dealing with your gut spams by going to our treatment of IBS section for comprehensive information.
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Why Not Book An Appointment With A Doctor Online?
If you have colon spasms and need online medical help, why not visit my online medical health page. You will be able to book an appointment online with me to discuss your medical problems or ask for advice on anything that is worrying you, perhaps clarify drugs, ask for a second opinion and much more. Just go to ask a doctor online and book your appointment with me now!
Manuka Honey
Learn about the health benefits of manuka honey, it may help your gut spasms. Just go to health benefits of manuka honey page now!
Acai Berry
You’ve learnt about spasms in the colon, now learn all about the health benefits of the acai berry by going to acai berry information page now!
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