Causes and Treatment for Spastic Colon Spasms

As many as 45 million Americans deal with colon spasms every year. They’re quite common, especially if you suffer from IBS. Colon spasms, also known as spastic colon, are sudden muscle contractions in the colon that can disrupt bowel movements. 

Colon spasms may be your body’s way of letting you know there’s something wrong with your digestive health. When your bowel habits alternate between constipation and diarrhea, this can indicate more severe causes that should be treated right away.

What is a spastic colon? 

A spastic colon is when you experience spontaneous contractions of the muscles in your colon. These are commonly called colon spasms. The contractions of the colon walls can be too strong, causing the colon to fall out of sync with its typical muscle contraction.

When working normally, your colon muscles regularly expand and contract to get rid of stool. Spasms of the colon are frequently associated with irritable bowel syndrome.

The colon is part of your large intestine. It regulates the formation and excretion of feces from food that is transported through the small intestine.

What are the symptoms of a spastic colon? Common symptoms of a spastic colon include: 

• Abdominal pain
• Colon cramps
• Changes in bowel movements
• Bloating
• Excessive gas
• The urgency to have a bowel movement
• Mucous in the stool
• Nausea 

Colon spasms do not constitute a medical condition. They are simply a symptom of several different health conditions. On occasion, colon spasms happen with no explanation.

Spasms in your colon used to be the defining symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). “Spastic colon” was an early term used to describe IBS.

What do colon spasms feel like?

Involuntary colon spasms can feel like sharp or dull cramping in the abdomen, a feeling of fullness or tightness, the sudden and immediate urge to go to the restroom, and pain in the abdomen, particularly on the lower left side.

The sensations you feel can depend on how far up your large intestine the spasm occurs. Colon spasms are frequently associated with IBS.  IBS patients experience similar symptoms that often mirror or accompany colon spasms.

What can be done to reduce the pain of a spastic colon? For many people, a simple change in diet and increased physical activity, along with reduced stress, can help to reduce pain caused by colon spasms. In some cases, anticholinergic medications may be needed for further pain relief.

Causes of Spastic Colon

Although we don’t know the exact mechanism of why colon spasms happen (much like hiccups), we do know that certain health conditions increase the likelihood of experiencing a spastic colon.

These are the health conditions that can cause colon spasms:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
• Food allergies or intolerances (like celiac disease)
• Stomach flu (AKA gastroenteritis)
• Food poisoning
• Diverticulitis
• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn’s disease
• Endometriosis
• Distended or enlarged colon
• An intestinal blockage
• Bacterial infection in your digestive tract
• Parasite infections
• Trapped gas
• Chronic stress
• Excess physical stress or muscle strain

The most common cause of colon spasms is an irritable bowel syndrome flare-up. 

Is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) different from colon spasms?

IBS is a primary cause of colon spasms. However, these intestinal spasms can be triggered by other health conditions. 

Is a spastic colon serious?

While spastic colon is not typically considered life-threatening, it can significantly impact an individual’s well-being and daily life. It is important to seek medical advice for proper diagnosis, screen for colon cancer, and rule out any underlying conditions that may require additional treatment.

Risk Factors for Colon Spasms

Understanding the risk factors that contribute to colon spasms can help manage and potentially reduce their frequency and severity. Here are some common risk factors:

• Diet: Your diet plays a significant role in digestive health. Foods that are high in fat, fried, or spicy can trigger colon spasms. Carbonated drinks and caffeinated beverages can also exacerbate symptoms.
• Chronic Stress: Stress can wreak havoc on your digestive system, and chronic stress can lead to or worsen colon spasms. Finding ways to manage stress, such as through mindfulness or exercise, can be beneficial.
• Underlying Health Conditions: Conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, and Ulcerative Colitis are often associated with colon spasms. Managing these underlying conditions can help in reducing spastic episodes.
• Physical Activity Level: A sedentary lifestyle may contribute to digestive issues, including colon spasms. Regular physical activity helps in maintaining smooth bowel movements and overall digestive health.
• Food Allergy and Intolerance: Intolerances to certain foods like lactose, gluten, or fructose can disrupt your digestive system and trigger colon spasms. Identifying and avoiding these trigger foods can mitigate the symptoms.
• Infections: Gastrointestinal infections, whether viral, bacterial, or parasitic, can lead to inflammation and colon spasms. Ensuring good hygiene and food safety can reduce this risk.
• Medication: Certain medications, such as antibiotics or NSAIDs, can disrupt the gut flora or irritate the gastrointestinal tract, leading to spasms.
• Age and Hormones: Hormonal changes, particularly in women, can influence the frequency of colon spasms. Menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause can all play a role.
• Genetics: If you have family members with similar digestive issues, you might be more prone to experiencing colon spasms.

Being aware of these risk factors can help guide lifestyle changes that may alleviate abdominal discomfort when you experience colon spasms. Always consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice and treatment options.

Diagnostic Procedures

When it comes to diagnosing the underlying cause of colon spasms, healthcare providers may utilize a variety of diagnostic procedures. Here’s a breakdown of some common tests and how they help in pinpointing the cause:

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy involves using a long, flexible tube with a camera at the end to examine the interior of the colon. This test allows doctors to directly view the colon’s lining, identify any inflammation, ulcers, or polyps, and take biopsies if necessary. It’s particularly useful for diagnosing conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.

Stool Tests

Stool tests involve analyzing a sample of your stool to check for the presence of blood, bacteria, parasites, or inflammation markers (signs that inflammation is taking place). These tests can reveal infections, digestive disorders, and the presence of blood which might suggest a more serious condition like IBD. They are also useful in detecting bacterial overgrowth or parasitic infections that could cause colon spasms.

Blood Tests

Blood tests examine various components of your blood to look for signs of inflammation, infection, or nutritional deficiencies. Blood tests can indicate the presence of inflammatory markers, typical of conditions like IBD. They can also reveal infections or imbalances that may be contributing to digestive issues and, consequently, colon spasms.

CT Scans and MRI

These imaging tests provide detailed pictures of the digestive tract and surrounding tissues. CT scans and MRIs can help identify abnormalities in the colon and the surrounding structures. They are particularly useful for diagnosing complications of IBD and detecting tumors or blockages.

Breath Tests

Breath tests measure the amount of hydrogen or methane in your breath after consuming a specific sugar. These tests help diagnose small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or lactose intolerance, which can contribute to colon spasms.

Endoscopy

Similar to a colonoscopy, but this procedure examines the upper part of the digestive tract using a flexible tube with a camera. An endoscopy can identify conditions affecting the stomach and upper intestines that may also impact colon function. It’s useful for diagnosing celiac disease and gastritis.

Treatment for Spastic Colon

Treatment for spastic colon focuses on alleviating symptoms. There are at-home remedies and medical treatment options to find relief. 

Home Remedies

What is the treatment for a spastic colon? Treatment for a spastic colon often starts at home with a combination of lifestyle changes. Simple changes in your everyday routine like stress relief, physical activity, and dietary changes have the potential to vastly improve your spastic colon and your wellness in general.

Stress Relief

Managing stress lowers your risk of IBS and other health problems that can trigger bowel spasms. Stress has been shown to negatively affect gut health.

Try meditation or yoga to relax your nervous system and alleviate the chronic stress from everyday life.

Getting a full night’s sleep is another way to improve body function, reduce stress, and lower anxiety. Sleep quality is also important. Cut out blue light emissions from technology an hour or two before bed.

The blue light can trick your brain into thinking the sun is still out. Use code PRIMEHEALTH for 10% off of our favorite blue-light-blocking glasses at Ra Optics. 

Physical Exercise

Regular exercise is not only great for weight loss, but it can also normalize digestive diseases.

Low to moderate-intensity exercise can reduce the symptoms of IBS, including spasms of the colon. Recent research continues to support the idea that physical activity can regulate your bowel habits. 

Plus, in addition to being good for your gut health, exercise is a natural antidepressant, so it’s a win-win for wellness. 

But make sure not to exercise an hour or so before bed. A high body temperature can make it hard to go to bed right away.

Spastic Colon Diet

On top of stress management and regular exercise, dietary changes are a reliable method of improving colon spasms.First, here are some foods you should eat to discourage colon spasms from occurring:

• Fiber — This can be a double-edged sword. Fiber may help with constipation but can worsen diarrhea. If you have IBS with constipation, and you want to reduce colon spasms, consult a medical professional about adding fiber to your diet.
• Probiotics — Whether via dietary supplements or probiotic foods, getting probiotics into your gut can undo all sorts of damage. Probiotics can reverse stress-induced damage to your gut. And 2019 research suggested multi-strain probiotics can improve IBS, which can trigger colon spasms.
• Intermittent fasting — Also known as bowel rest, intermittent fasting may relieve IBS symptoms, such as colon spasms. If you eat too much too quickly, your GI tract doesn’t have enough time to properly process the food. Fasting in the mornings or evenings can help correct this issue.
• Low-FODMAP diet — This diet is meant to be a short-term elimination diet. FODMAPs are fermented carbohydrates that can trigger digestive issues. But the low-FODMAP diet is a well-established method of treating IBS, the most common cause of colon spasms.

What foods trigger the spastic colon? A spastic colon can be triggered by different foods for different people. In general, the following foods tend to trigger colon spasms:

• High-FODMAP foods — Avoid foods that are high in FODMAPS can solve any food allergen-related health problems. Avoid common food allergens, as well as beans, garlic, onions, fruits, asparagus, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, mushrooms, and sugar alcohols.
• Potential food allergens — The most common food allergies are wheat (gluten), dairy products (lactose intolerance), corn, shellfish, soybeans, eggs, peanuts, and tree nuts.
• Excess alcohol — Alcohol use disorder increases the risk of IBS and colon spasms.
• Tobacco products — Tobacco consumption is horrible for your overall health. As far as your gut, smoking increases your risk of Crohn’s disease, a colon spasm risk factor.

Related reading: Colon Cleansing: Types, Benefits, Dangers & FAQs

Medical Treatment for Colon Spasms

If your colon spasms aren’t subsiding or worsening, it may be time to consult a healthcare provider. A doctor can evaluate your digestive system and run diagnostics like stool or blood tests, or x-rays.  They may suggest a colonoscopy to examine the colon and rectum for ulcers or signs of cancer.

Because colon spasms are commonly caused by IBS, at PrimeHealth Denver, we always run an SIBO test on our incoming patients. Most cases of IBS that we’ve found are triggered by small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, SIBO.

The healthcare providers at PrimeHealth will work with you to identify which of the IBS triggers you are struggling with, tailoring an individualized treatment plan to find relief.

When colon spasms require doctor assistance, some of the medical treatment options they may suggest or prescribe include:

1. Antidiarrheal medication — This medicine slows down or stops loose stool. The most popular over-the-counter brand name is Pepto-Bismol.
2. Antispasmodic medication — Also known as a spasmolytic, this type of drug reduces and/or prevents the involuntary spasming of various muscles, such as the colon. Commonly prescribed antispasmodics are Dicyclomine (Bentyl) and Hyoscyamine (Levsin).
3. Anticholinergic medication — By blocking the neurotransmitter called acetylcholine, these meds can affect muscle contraction and relaxation. Anticholinergics are prescribed to treat overactive bladder, COPD, IBS, and general muscle spasms.
4. Laxatives — In rare cases, like  IBS with constipation, a doctor may suggest a laxative. This is not the most efficient treatment since it might not treat all the symptoms, like bloating and stomach pain.

Many pharmaceuticals come with undesirable side effects. It’s always best to start with home remedies like stress management and the low-FODMAP diet when looking for how to stop colon spasms. 

If your doctor can diagnose the root cause of your colon spasms, treating the cause instead of the symptoms should get rid of colon spasms and treat the health problems you recently discovered.

If you live in the greater Denver area, schedule an appointment with PrimeHealth. We work with patients to determine the underlying triggers of their colon spasms. Our treatment options are low on side effects and high on patient satisfaction.

What can you do to prevent colon spasms?

Preventing colon spasms involves adopting a holistic approach to overall digestive health. This includes the home remedies mentioned. 

A well-balanced diet, avoiding trigger foods such as high-FODMAP items, managing stress levels, staying physically active, maintaining regular bowel habits, and considering the use of probiotics to support gut health can help keep colon spasms away for good.

When to Call a Doctor

Most colon spasms are not life-threatening. If they persist, talk to your doctor. Together, you can diagnose the underlying cause and chart out a simple treatment plan.

If you show signs of an intestinal/bowel obstruction, seek immediate medical attention. Here are intestinal/bowel obstruction symptoms to look for:

• Inability to defecate
• Bloody stool or rectal bleeding
• Sweating, fever, and chills
• Severe abdominal pain
• Stomach swelling
• Losing your appetite
• Nausea and vomiting

Obstructions in your GI tract can be life-threatening. If you don’t exhibit symptoms of obstruction, then your colon spasms are probably not dangerous.

However, if your colon spasms accompany symptoms of dire disorders like ulcerative colitis or IBS, it is wise to treat these underlying causes before they cause further complications.

Looking to the Future

Just because colon spasms are common doesn’t mean you have to live with them. Home remedies should reduce colon spasms, and a visit to your doctor can ease any worries you have.

For most people with gastrointestinal disorders, dietary changes, and stress relief are often good enough to improve overall health, including colon spasms.

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For an individualized treatment plan for your gut health issues, schedule an appointment with PrimeHealth. We work with patients in the greater Denver area to determine the underlying triggers of digestive issues and reverse symptoms for lasting relief.

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