What’s Causing Your Abdominal Pain? 3 Root Causes Explained
Abdominal pain and cramping are among the most common complaints I hear from my clients—and they can range from mildly uncomfortable to downright debilitating. Whether you’re dealing with sharp, localized pain or a dull, diffuse ache, figuring out what’s causing it can feel overwhelming.
We’ll dive into the five most common causes of abdominal pain and cramping, how to recognize them, and what steps you can take to address them.
1. Muscle Spasms: The Cramp Culprit
Muscle spasms are one of the most common causes of abdominal cramping. These involuntary contractions can happen in the abdominal wall or even in the intestines themselves, much like the leg or foot cramps you’ve probably experienced before.
What causes muscle spasms in the gut?
Dehydration: A lack of fluids can disrupt normal muscle function.
Electrolyte Imbalances: Sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium are crucial for muscle contractions and relaxation.
Stress and Poor Diet: These can lead to gut dysbiosis (imbalanced gut bacteria), which disrupts normal intestinal function.
If you’re dealing with spasms, improving hydration and adding magnesium-rich foods or supplements to your routine may help.
2. Inflammation: The Silent Agitator
When your gut is inflamed, it’s like a fire burning inside your digestive tract. This can result from:
Gastritis: Inflammation of the stomach lining.
Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas.
IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease): Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
Inflammation irritates nerve endings and leads to pain or cramping. Identifying and removing inflammatory triggers—like certain foods or environmental toxins—is essential. Anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, turmeric, and omega-3 fatty acids can also support healing.
3. Poor Drainage: A Hidden Cause of Pain
Your body has drainage pathways—like your liver, lymphatic system, and bile ducts—that are responsible for moving toxins out. When these systems get sluggish or backed up, it can lead to bloating, pressure, and pain, especially in the mornings.
How can you support drainage?
Increase movement: Exercise helps pump the lymphatic system.
Hydration: Staying hydrated supports lymphatic flow.
Liver and bile support: Supplements like milk thistle or dandelion root can aid liver function.
If you feel better after getting up and moving in the morning, this could be your issue.
What to do about it: Decoding Your Symptoms
If your abdominal pain isn’t tied to a specific condition like Crohn’s or colitis, the root cause could still be one of these five culprits—or a combination of them. The key is listening to your body’s signals and digging deeper to understand the root.
If you’re experiencing recurring abdominal pain, here’s what you can do:
Track your symptoms: Note when the pain occurs, what worsens or improves it, and any patterns.
Support your gut: Focus on anti-inflammatory foods, hydration, and balancing your gut microbiome.
Explore drainage: Ensure your body’s detox pathways are open and functioning properly.
Final Thoughts
Abdominal pain is your body’s way of telling you something’s wrong. By identifying the root cause, you can take targeted steps to feel better and support your gut health.
Want to learn more about addressing abdominal pain or improving your gut health? Tune in to Episode 86 of the Reversible Podcast for an in-depth conversation about cramping, pain, and what you can do about it. 👉 Listen here.
Your health is in your hands, and it starts with your gut.
