Pain in IBS - About IBS (2024)

Pain in IBS - About IBS (1)

What is pain in IBS?

The key symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is abdominal pain. The IBS pain can be felt anywhere in the abdomen. It may change over time. The abdomen is the area between the hips and the chest. It is not actually stomach pain.

People differently describe how pain feels in IBS, such as…

  • Cramping or cramp-like
  • Stabbing
  • Sharp
  • A ‘migraine’ in the stomach

IBS pain or discomfort is related to the way the bowels move.

  • There may be less pain after having a bowel movement
  • The pain may begin when the frequency of bowel movements change to more often or less often
  • Or the pain may begin when stools change and become harder or softer

A study1,2 by IFFGD, in collaboration with the UNC Center for Functional GI and Motility Disorders, of 1,966 people diagnosed with IBS found pain to be the key factor that contributed to the severity of IBS. Eight out of ten (80%) persons in the survey listed pain as the factor that makes their IBS severe.

Pain is a dominating symptom for IBS sufferers. 78% of report having continuous or frequently reoccurring abdominal pain during 6 months prior to the survey. Of those who experienced pain, one-fourth describe the pain as being constant.

Other severity factors frequently listed by the study respondents included:

  • Bowel difficulties 74%
  • Bloating 69%
  • Limits on eating/diet 69%

For many people with IBS, abdominal pain is frequent. For some it is continuous. People contacting IFFGD about severe pain have described it using words like: excruciating, unbearable, constant, intense, or awful.

Learn About Treating Pain in IBS

Living with IBS – Personal Stories

I am a 38 year old woman, working in the big corporate world. I have been suffering (I use this term mildly) for over two years with social anxiety and now IBS. I am seriously considering quitting my job as the sudden spasms accompanied by severe pain are starting to impinge on my performance in the workplace. I cancel client lunches, avoid promotions, and travel as little as possible. But how much longer will the Execs put up with this?

I give many thanks to the Gastro specialist who spent over an hour with me in his office today, educating me on my condition that now has a name. It is specialists like him that give people like me hope.

– From our Personal Stories Read more stories from others who are living with IBS »

References

  1. IBS Patients: Their Illness Experience and Unmet Needs. IFFGD 2009.
  2. Drossman DA, Morris CB, Schneck S, Hu YJ, et al. International survey of patients with IBS: symptom features and their severity, health status, treatments, and risk taking to achieve clinical benefit. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2009.

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Topics of this article
  • Signs and Symptoms
    • Overview of IBS Symptoms
    • Recognizing Symptoms
      • Pain in IBS
      • Bloating – Do You Suffer with this Common Symptom?
      • Nausea – Discover if IBS could be the culprit
    • Subtypes of IBS – Know the 3
    • Symptom Diary – An Easy Tool for You
    • Sleep and IBS – 40% of Patients Report Issues
    • Changes in IBS Symptoms that You Should Not Ignore

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IFFGD is a nonprofit education and research organization. Our mission is to inform, assist, and support people affected by gastrointestinal disorders.

Our original content is authored specifically for IFFGD readers, in response to your questions and concerns.

If you found this article helpful, please consider supporting IFFGD with a small tax-deductible donation.

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2023 Project: IBS Infographic – A Helpful Patient Resource

April 20, 2023

During Spring 2023, IFFGD worked with PhD and Public Health student Makenna Lenover to develop IBS Infographic visual content for the aboutibs.org website

Read More »

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Pain in IBS - About IBS (2024)

FAQs

Pain in IBS - About IBS? ›

Patients with IBS may describe the abdominal discomfort in different ways, such as sharp pain, cramping, bloating, distention, fullness or even burning. The pain may be triggered by eating specific foods, following a meal, emotional stress, constipation or diarrhea. Other symptoms include: Mucus in stool.

How to calm IBS flare? ›

General tips to relieve irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms
  1. cook homemade meals using fresh ingredients when you can.
  2. keep a diary of what you eat and any symptoms you get – try to avoid things that trigger your IBS.
  3. try to find ways to relax.
  4. get plenty of exercise.
  5. try probiotics for a month to see if they help.

What does pain from IBS feel like? ›

stomach pain or cramps – usually worse after eating and better after doing a poo. bloating – your tummy may feel uncomfortably full and swollen. diarrhoea – you may have watery poo and sometimes need to poo suddenly. constipation – you may strain when pooing and feel like you cannot empty your bowels fully.

Can you suffer from IBS every day? ›

Some people have symptoms every day, while others experience long symptom-free periods. IBS does not lead to serious disease, but it does significantly affect your quality of life. "People say it's ruining their lives or that they have a constant ache after they eat," says Dr.

How to cope with IBS pain? ›

Try to find out what affects you. Some ways of coping are: taking time to relax; relaxation tapes; yoga; aromatherapy; massage or exercise (gently). Can herbal drinks help? Some people find that herbal drinks such as peppermint or camomile help.

How can I get immediate relief from IBS? ›

7 Ways to Relieve IBS Symptoms Quickly
  1. Try an OTC supplement. When it comes to quick relief from IBS symptoms, targeted over-the-counter supplements may help. ...
  2. Apply a heating pad. ...
  3. Brew a cup of tea. ...
  4. Eat light, healthy foods. ...
  5. Try meditation or deep breathing exercises. ...
  6. Go for a walk. ...
  7. Give hypnotherapy a try.

What is the biggest trigger for IBS? ›

But many people have worse IBS symptoms when they eat or drink certain foods or beverages. These include wheat, dairy products, citrus fruits, beans, cabbage, milk and carbonated drinks. Stress. Most people with IBS experience worse or more-frequent symptoms during periods of increased stress.

Does lying down help IBS? ›

Sleeping on your back or left side can alleviate IBS symptoms by putting your gut in a better position to adequately digest food and do its job. Sleeping on the right side, on the other hand, can make IBS symptoms worse.

What painkiller is best for IBS? ›

Buscopan relieves painful stomach cramps, including those linked with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It can also help bladder cramps and period pain. Buscopan contains the active ingredient hyoscine butylbromide.

What empties your bowels immediately every morning? ›

In the morning, drink warm water with lemon to stimulate bowel movement and hydrate the body. Consume fiber-rich foods such as whole grains and fruits to improve digestion and regularity. Probiotics can help to improve gut health and regulate bowel movements.

What are 5 foods to avoid if you have IBS? ›

5 Foods to Avoid if You Have IBS
  • Milk. Milk and other foods that contain lactose, like cheese and ice cream, can cause gas and bloating in people who are lactose intolerant. ...
  • Foods High in Fructose. ...
  • Carbonated Beverages. ...
  • Caffeine. ...
  • Sugar-free Chewing Gums.

What do IBS stools look like? ›

If you have IBS with diarrhea, you will have frequent, loose, watery stools. You may have an urgent need to have a bowel movement, which may be hard to control. If you have IBS with constipation, you will have a hard time passing stool, as well as fewer bowel movements.

Are bananas good for IBS? ›

Unripe bananas are low in FODMAPS and therefore a better choice for people with IBS — although they're not as sweet or soft as ripe bananas. However, as bananas ripen, they accumulate a type of FODMAP called oligofructans. Therefore, ripe bananas are considered a high FODMAP food (6, 7 ).

Why is my IBS so painful? ›

The colon (large intestine) muscle tends to contract more in people with IBS. These contractions cause cramps and pain. Visceral hypersensitivity: You may have extra-sensitive nerves in your GI tract. People with IBS tend to have a lower pain tolerance than people without it.

Does anything really help with pain in irritable bowel syndrome? ›

Medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl) can help relieve painful bowel spasms. They are sometimes prescribed for people who have bouts of diarrhea. These medications are generally safe but can cause constipation, dry mouth and blurred vision.

How long does a flare up last with IBS? ›

An IBS flare up can last anywhere from a few hours to months. Some things that may cause a flare up are stress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress syndrome. Eating “trigger” foods or FODMAPs (foods that are poorly digested by the gut) can also cause IBS flare ups.

How do you stop triggered IBS? ›

Here are some tips to avoid IBS flare-ups.
  1. Keep stress levels low. ...
  2. Try progressive relaxation. ...
  3. Go to counseling. ...
  4. Eat more fiber. ...
  5. Stay away from known trigger foods. ...
  6. Drink plenty of fluids. ...
  7. Be aware that some medications can trigger IBS. ...
  8. Be aware that menstruation can cause worsened symptoms.

Should you eat during an IBS flare up? ›

Include lean meats, eggs, and fish to ensure adequate protein intake during an IBS flare. Avoid heavily spiced and processed meats (sandwich meat, etc.) and fried foods. Poach or boil eggs to avoid added fats.

How do you break the cycle of IBS? ›

Treatment for IBS

Psychological Therapies: Stress management strategies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be effective. Dietary Adjustments: Tailoring the diet to minimise consuming foods that trigger symptoms. In some cases, a high-fiber diet can reduce symptoms.

References

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