IBS pain

Pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be far worse than many other types of pain such as back pain and period pain, according to a survey of 563 IBS sufferers sponsored by Buscopan IBS Relief.

Over a quarter of people surveyed believed that the pain could be worse than childbirth. However, less than half of the sufferers said they looked for a treatment that works on the cause of the cramps.

Angela Alexander, pharmacist and senior clinical lecturer, commented: “This reinforces the importance of pharmacists talking to their customers to offer helpful advice on how to manage pain symptoms specific to IBS, including explaining the effective over-the-counter treatment options to them.”

The survey also found that 42 per cent of the sufferers experienced abdominal pain everyday or almost everyday.