Stomach Spasms

Most common symptoms

Stomach spasms occur in the upper middle region of the abdomen. They can be sudden and sharp, or chronic and cramping, and can occur with or without eating food.

Main symptoms

• Pain in your mid to upper abdomen, sharp and sudden or that comes and goes
• Pain that radiates to your back or shoulder
• Pain that worsens when you eat greasy and spicy food and food high in fat
• Cramping
• Stomach twitching
• Stomach flutters
• Burning sensation in your stomach and throat
• Bloating

Other symptoms you may have

• Fever
• Chills
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Feeling like food is getting stuck in your throat when you eat
• Blood in stool
• Black stools
• Yellowing of the eyes and skin
• Shortness of breath

Causes

The most common cause of spasms is GERD, more commonly known as heartburn. Other causes include:

• Peptic ulcer disease
• Celiac disease
• Gluten intolerance
• Bacterial or viral gastroenteritis
• Infections in the gallbladder or hepatobiliary tract (the liver and bile ducts)
• Acute pancreatitis
• Gastroesophageal cancers (uncommon)
• Heart attack (rare)

Sometimes the cause of stomach spasms can’t be identified. When that happens, you’re diagnosed with functional dyspepsia. People with functional dyspepsia usually experience pain that feels like stomach twitching or stomach flutters. The condition is more common in women and people with a history of anxiety or depression.

Stomach spasms when lying down

Sometimes abdominal spasms are more intense when you lie down. This commonly affects people with heartburn. Symptoms such as burning and cramping in the middle abdomen, regurgitation, and even coughing can wake you up in the middle of the night. It usually occurs when you’ve eaten a large dinner or ate late at night.

Acute pancreatitis can also cause pain that worsens when you lie down. It may improve when you sit up or lean forward.

Sometimes the pain caused by gallstones or gallbladder disease feels worse when you lie down. This usually happens after you eat a big meal.

Risk factors

Common risk factors for stomach spasms include:

• Obesity
• Hiatal hernia
• Eating large meals
• Eating late at night
• Eating fatty or greasy foods
• Drinking alcohol or coffee
• Taking medications such as naproxen or ibuprofen

Certain health conditions can also cause stomach spasms, such as:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Severe alcoholism
• Gallstones
• Mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression

Treatment

Medication

If you’re diagnosed with heartburn or peptic ulcers, the most common treatments are antacids (such as Tums) or medications that decrease stomach acid production such as H2-blockers or proton-pump inhibitors.

If your doctor suspects an infection in your gallbladder, liver, or biliary ducts, you’ll likely need to be treated with IV antibiotics. People diagnosed with acute pancreatitis should also be hospitalized for several days to receive IV fluids and possibly IV antibiotics to ease the inflammation.

For those diagnosed with functional dyspepsia, antispasmodic medications such as dicycloverine and hyoscyamine are recommended. If you require long-term treatment, your doctor may prescribe tricyclic antidepressants to control the spasms.

Procedures

If you have gallbladder disease, you may need to have surgery to remove your gallbladder.

Lifestyle changes

Stomach spasms caused by celiac disease or a gluten intolerance can be controlled by avoiding foods that contain gluten, such as bread, pasta, and cereal.

Prevention

Some conditions that cause stomach spasms can’t be prevented. But if you have heartburn, you can limit symptoms by:

• Losing weight
• Quitting smoking
• Avoiding foods that are greasy, spicy, and high in fat
• Limiting alcohol and coffee
• Avoiding eating large meals late at night or near bedtime

Next steps

See your doctor if your stomach spasms began gradually, are tolerable, and have lasted for a long time. You should also see your doctor if the pain is very mild and seems to be triggered by certain foods, drinks, or medications. They can help you identify what food and drinks you should avoid and suggest different medications that might be easier on your stomach.

Go to the ER if stomach spasms occur suddenly and are intolerable (even after taking over-the-counter medications like Pepto-Bismol or Imodium). Other concerning symptoms with intense stomach spasms include blood in your stool, fevers, chills, and yellowing of your skin and eyes.