Functional Abdominal Cramping Pain

 5 mins 30 secs

Topics

  • About Belly Pain

We’ve all been there: the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, you’re out and about listening to your favorite song through your headphones, when all of a sudden, you’re stopped in your tracks. Your belly’s tied in knots. You want to collapse. The pain in your abdomen is so dull and deep that instantly you are questioning the very meaning of life. You’ve got abdominal cramping.

Functional Abdominal Cramping Pain

Despite the horrific types of abdominal pain, there are times when an actual disease does not cause these debilitating cramps. In such cases, the cramping abdominal pain is often grouped under the phrase “functional abdominal cramping pain” (FACP). But what are the causes and symptoms of this condition, and what can you do about it?

In this article, we shed light on this knotty topic, because understanding what’s causing your chronic abdominal pain and cramping can make it significantly easier to find effective treatments.

What is FACP?

A recent review — published in the prestigious Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology — defines FACP as recurring mild-to-moderate cramping and abdominal pain syndrome pain that comes on suddenly, lasting for seconds, minutes, or a few hours1.

FACP is very common, with up to 39% of US participants of one study reporting this symptom.3 Thankfully, it isn’t usually serious. The cause is not exactly clear, and your tests may all come out normal.

Symptoms of FACP

FACP can occur on its own, or along with other symptoms such as2:

  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • bloating

Usually, FACP is unpleasant or painful, but not painful enough to stop you from doing your daily activities, like going to school or work1.

Finally, if you also feel the need to poop when you have severe abdominal pain or cramps, you should see your doctor. In these cases, the cause is more likely to be irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Causes And Triggers of FACP

The Researchers agree there are likely multiple causes, and that these other causes of abdominal pain are similar to those that lead to IBS.

Specifically, FACP may be caused by the following factors combined:

  • stress
  • low-grade inflammation in the intestines (an overreaction of the immune system)
  • hypersensitivity to pain around the internal organs
  • problems with the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract
  • an imbalance between the “good” and the “bad” bacteria in the gut

Things that may raise your risk of FACP include:

  • genes
  • triggering factors, such as stress

Food Triggers

Certain foods or eating patterns (for example, eating at irregular times, or eating an irregular number of meals each day) may trigger your FACP. It may be useful to keep a diary in order to see which foods and eating behaviors trigger your acute abdominal pain or cramps.

Although researchers aren’t certain about the triggers of FACP, we may take a cue from what we know about IBS and other similar gastrointestinal problems.

Many people with IBS find that the following things trigger their flare-ups2:

  • eating at irregular times
  • following a diet that’s not diverse enough and doesn’t have enough of each main food group
  • eating insoluble fiber, fatty foods, or foods that make you gassy
  • drinking caffeine
  • eating foods high in so-called FODMAPs (fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols)

Stress

Research shows that stress is one of the most important factors affecting your gastrointestinal health by disrupting the gut-brain axis1.

Stress can1:

  • cause your belly to empty out the food more slowly
  • cause the contents of your large intestines to pass through quicker, which makes you poop faster
  • make you more sensitive to pain in the gut wall

Treatments For FACP

If you get FACP only once in a while and the abdominal pain or cramping is mild, try avoiding the foods, drinks, and stressful situations that trigger your symptoms. Abdominal cramping can often be eased with simple lifestyle changes and relaxation techniques.

If your pain is triggered by stress, try relaxation techniques. You may also benefit from over-the-counter medicines such as antispasmodics. These drugs are very effective for relieving severe pain from FACP because they target the pain at its root cause: the smooth muscle of the gut. Antispasmodics stop the muscle cramps and contractions in the gut wall.

Always see a doctor if you’re worried about your symptoms — they can run some tests and reassure you that your condition is not serious.

Antispasmodics:

Several types of antispasmodic treatments are available over the counter (OTC). They include:

  • Hyoscine N-butylbromide main ingredient in Buscopan®
  • Drotaverine
  • Peppermint Oil

Hyoscine N-butylbromide has been a trusted ally in the fight against abdominal cramps for 70 years. The makers of Hyoscine N-butylbromide (Buscopan®) know that for some people, the abdominal pain and cramps won’t relent without a bit of help from an additional painkiller — paracetamol. So, Hyoscine N butylbromide + Paracetamol, a power combo for stronger abdominal pain and cramps, is available in 2 versions:

  • Hyoscine N-butylbromide Buscopan®
  • Hyoscine N-butylbromide + Paracetamol (Buscopan Venus) Hyoscine N-butylbromide Paracetamol (Buscopan® Plus)

It’s important to note that painkillers, alone or analgesics, are not equally suitable for treating FACP. This is due to a number of reasons.

Firstly, analgesics don’t treat the root cause of the stomach pain, they just block the pain perception and pain signals from the central nervous system. Meanwhile, antispasmodics like Hyoscine N-butylbromide (Buscopan®) act directly on the cause of the pain, and only where needed, by relaxing the contracting muscles in the gut.

Secondly, analgesics or painkillers may also cause some gastrointestinal side effects. Hyoscine N-butylbromide (Buscopan®), on the other hand, is tough on pain, but gentle on the belly. It also works locally on the gut. 

Read our article about the difference between antispasmodics and painkillers to learn when to use each.

When to Contact a Doctor

Contact a doctor if you have additional symptoms with your very mild abdominal pain or cramping such as:

  • you lost weight without wanting to
  • you look pale
  • you feel generally unwell
  • you have persistent vomiting or diarrhea
  • you have blood in your poo

You should also see a doctor if:

  • the pain is keeping you from doing the things you love or are required of you (such as going to work or exercising)
  • you’ve never experienced pain this intense before

Don’t let belly pain hold you back.

About Belly Pain
Belly vs. Abdominal Pain: Understanding the Difference

Belly pain and cramps might be funny when they happen to Finch in American Pie, but they’re no laughing matter when they happen to you! What exactly is stomach pain, what causes it, and is it the same as abdominal pain? What is causing abdominal pains? Read on to find out.
About Belly Pain
Locations of Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain comes in many forms. It can range from flatus then usually follows by colic pain (often relieved with a fart, perhaps to the amusement of those around you), to feeling like you’re unable to move (which is amusing to no one). But how can you tell what’s causing your abdominal pain?
About Belly Pain
Identifying The Causes of your Abdominal Pain: What You Need To Know

Stevie Wonder was singing, “I've got an upset stomach from a broken heart,” and he wasn’t wrong! There are several possible causes of pain in the abdomen, and emotional stress is one of them. This article will review some other common causes and triggers of abdominal pain, as well as potential treatments, and advice on when it might be time to contact a doctor.
About Belly Pain
Abdominal Pain in Men
Abdominal Pain in Men: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

Every fan of football, hockey, or slapstick humor will be familiar with at least one form of male abdominal pain: and that’s getting kicked or hit in the groin. But there are many others, and while you can’t do much about the latter except apply ice and hope for that pain to go away fast, other forms of abdominal pain can be treated, prevented, and managed.
Gut-Brain
Gut-Brain Axis
The Gut Brain Axis and What it Means for You

Most females suffer from menstrual cramps (otherwise known as menstrual pain, or period pain) at some point in their lives. Menstrual cramps are not normal most especially if it’s severe – but you are certainly not on your own!
About Belly Pain
Understanding Cramps and Period Pain
Understanding Cramps and Period Pain

When it comes to describing painful period cramps, the words of Rachel from Friends come to mind: “No uterus, no opinion!”

Only those in possession of female reproductive organs can fully understand the level of pain that many women experience every month. But what causes menstrual cramps, and what can you do to relieve the pain? Read on to find out.
About Belly Pain
Menstrual Cramps: Effective Methods of Pain Relief

Most females suffer from menstrual cramps (otherwise known as menstrual pain, or period pain) at some point in their lives. Menstrual cramps are not normal most especially if it’s severe – but you are certainly not on your own!
Managing Abdominal Pain
Antispasmodics vs. Painkillers: What's the Difference and When to Take Them

Whether it’s just causing you discomfort or making you want to curl up in a ball, tummy pain is a nuisance, to say the least. But what’s the best medicine to get rid of it? Antispasmodics or painkillers?
Managing Abdominal Pain
What Is the Right Buscopan for You?

When your stomach’s in a knot, let (Hyoscine N-butylbromide) Buscopan untie it. Sometimes, life’s stresses become too much, and your gut — that smart, “second brain” we all have — feels the pain. But really, the only stomach pain you should feel in life is the one from laughing too hard!
Stress and Anxiety
Stress-Related Stomach Pain: How Anxiety Affects Gut Health

We’ve all been there: the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, you’re out and about listening to your favorite song through your headphones, when all of a sudden, you’re stopped in your tracks. Your belly’s tied in knots.
Learn to help your belly

Find your Hyoscine N-butylbromide (Buscopan®)

Buscopan Mono Product

Hyoscine N-butylbromide (Buscopan®)
  • Mild to Moderate Pain
  • Adults and children 6+
  • Tablets
See details
Buy
Buscopan Plus Product

Hyoscine N-butylbromide + Paracetamol (Buscopan® Plus)
  • Strong pain
  • Adults and children +10
  • Tablets
See details
Buy
Buscopan Venus Product

Hyoscine N-butylbromide + Paracetamol (Buscopan® Venus)
  • Mild to Strong Dysmenorrhea
  • Adults and children +10
  • Tablets
See details
Buy