Colon spasms or spastic colon are involuntary and often quite painful contractions of the lower digestive tract. They are most commonly associated with a disorder known as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Although there is no known definitive cause of colon spasms, some of the most common factors include diet, stress or anxiety, caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol, all of which can negatively impact on the human digestive system.

The human colon is made up of four distinct regions. The ascending colon, the beginning of the large intestine, is attached to the cecum and is adjacent to the liver on the right side of the body. The transverse colon is located near the spleen, and is where the majority of solid waste is stored en route to the rectum. The descending colon, located on the left side of the body, leads downward, connecting to the sigmoid colon, which then connects to the rectum.

The colon serves to extract water, salt, potassium, and some types of vitamins from waste. Whatever cannot be used by the body becomes waste material known as stool, which is then excreted via the rectum during a bowel movement. The longer the stool remains in the colon, the more likely it is that the body will begin to absorb whatever toxins or other unwanted byproducts of digestion are present in this waste material. This can lead to digestive disorders such as colon spasms or IBS.

Colon spasms are often accompanied by diarrhea. As waste material moves through the colon, it begins as a mostly liquid byproduct from the small intestine, which becomes more solid as it passes through the large intestine. Diarrhea is stool that has not solidified as it passes through the colon, having moved through the intestinal region too quickly because of colon spasms which do not allow it to reduce moisture content and become more solid.

The most common treatment for dealing with colon spasms is by increasing fiber or roughage in the diet. Fiber can be found in foods including legumes, grains, vegetables, and fruits. These foods will aid the body to slow down the digestive process and add bulk to liquid waste material, which in turn helps to reduce the incidences of colon spasms.

Regular exercise is also recommended to lessen feelings of anxiety, tension, or stress which can lead to colon spasms. The human colon has a large volume of nerves throughout its nearly five-foot (1.524 m) length, which can be highly sensitive to both physical and emotional unease. Vigorous exercise is known to stimulate what are known as endorphins. These are chemicals, called neurotransmitters, produced in the brain which the body naturally releases to inhibit pain and anxiety from injury or stress.