Lower Abdominal Cramps

Lower abdominal cramps are a real pain. Read on to find out what are the reasons for sharp lower abdominal cramps.

Waking up to lower abdominal cramps, can be a real screw up for the day. If you are a woman, you have for sure, experienced lower abdominal pain and lower abdominal cramps. The painful stomach ache or stomach cramps are actually stomach muscle spasms, which most often, people interpret as stomach pain, discomfort or abdominal pain. Diarrhea, constipation, digestive infection, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diverticulitis, food poisoning or monthly menstrual cycle are some of the reasons for lower abdominal cramps. Sometimes, there may not be a serious medical condition causing the pain. However, they do cause a lot of discomfort. Let us understand, lower abdominal cramps causes and types a little in detail.

Lower Abdominal Cramps Causes

There are many different conditions that can lead to lower abdominal cramps in women. These include:

Digestive problems

Ovarian cysts

Monthly menstrual cycle

Ectopic pregnancy

Appendicitis

Lactose intolerance

Kidney stones

Hernia

Ischemic bowel

Indigestion

Pregnancy

Constipation

Acid reflux disease

Cholecystitis

Gallstones

Food allergy

Infection

Viral disease

Ulcers

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Shingles

Stomach cancer

Diarrhea

Fibroids

Miscarriage

Labor pain

Lower Abdominal Pain On Right Side

Lower abdominal cramps can be experienced either at the right side or at the left side. The reasons for the pain of the right side are different than the pain occurring on the left side. One of the causes for right side pain are appendicitis, which begins with a small pain around umbilicus and gradually moves to the right. Constipation and IBS, both associated with passing of bowel, are closely related to lower abdominal pain on the right. Endometriosis, can also cause pain the right side, which can get severe during a woman's monthly discharge. Hernia in the right side, can lead to lower abdominal pain, with swelling in the upper right thigh or the groin. Kidney stones, obstruct the passage of urine, which can trigger sudden sharp pain in the right side of your stomach. However, in such a case, the right kidney will be affected.

Lower Abdominal Pain on Left Side

Lower abdominal cramps on the left side are more commonly seen in young adults and in women than in grown up men. Any disease or disorder, which affects the organs related to the abdomen on the left side cause the pain. If the problems involve organs on the left side, like if there are spleen problems, descending colon infections, sigmoid colon diseases, pancreas problems, left kidney, left ureter, left ovary in women, left fallopian tube, blood vessels on the left, left adrenal gland, left half of large intestine, and the nerves on the left side of abdomen diseases and dysfunctions, all lead to lower abdominal pain on left side.

Lower Abdominal Cramps in Women

Lower abdominal cramps in women are usually seen as a result of severe menstrual cramps during the menstrual cycle. Sometimes, it is very difficult to find the reason for abdominal pain in women. However, discomfort or disorders of the reproductive organs often leads to lower abdominal cramps in women. Burning sensation while passing urine, frequent urination, nausea and vomiting are some of signals for getting yourself checked. Read more on lower abdominal pain in women.

Home Remedies for Lower Abdominal Cramps

Ginger Root Tea: Ginger root tea works the best for relieving lower abdominal cramps. Boil two slices of ginger root in a cup of boiling water with a leaf of basil and have it hot, twice a day, to see the difference in a week.

Tea: If you wake up with a stomach ache in the morning, have a cup of tea without milk or sugar. Squeeze a lemon in it, while sipping it hot. The stomach ache will vanish as the day advances.

Pomegranate Seeds: Pomegranate seeds are known to work the best for stomach aches. Sprinkle some salt and black pepper on them, and chew them thoroughly to get rid of the stomach ache.

Refrain from any of the aforementioned home remedies if you are experiencing lower abdominal cramps in early pregnancy. Lower abdominal cramps, can be quite disturbing. If the pain continues for a long time, so see a doctor. This is where I sign off, take care!