MBBS, MD - Internal Medicine , DM - Gastroenterology
Gastroenterologist, Bangalore
•
30 years experience
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What is the root cause of Chronic Functional Abdominal Pain?
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Till now, no exact medical explanation about how Chronic Functional Abdominal Pain (CFAP), sometimes also called the Functional Abdominal Pain Syndrome (FAPS) happens. The condition is quite analogous to the less common Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). A patient suffering from this disorder does not have any significant change in bowel habits, like diarrhoea or constipation. In this disorder, the patient suffers from an ongoing pain in the abdomen. If you are affected, try gauging out the sensations or emotions that start the pain and avoid them.
How is the syndrome connected to the body's pain mechanism?
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Understanding the cause or origination of Chronic Abdominal Pain Syndrome requires the understanding of the body's pain mechanism. There are certain regions in the brain which controls the experience of pain, its location and severity, while there are others which are primarily concerned with memories. If they get overlapped, the experience of pain may be affected by emotions or past experiences. Thus, a history of traumatic events, for instance, a history of abuse or death of a loved one, though not always, can be the onset of this syndrome. Repeated injuries in the abdomen or past occurrences of surgeries can make the later ones seem more painful. Even normal abdominal activities may be experienced as painful. Do not cause yourself to think about the pain.
The understanding of the brain's way to process pain is essential for the treatment procedure
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The condition in which the brain causes to experience more pain is called visceral hypersensitivity, meaning hypersensitivity in the intestines. The brain does have a mechanism to reduce pain signals. But with this disorder, small amounts of intestinal disorders and pain get amplified, thus causing too much pain. If someone feels anxious or is concentrating on the pain, the pain is felt to be more severe. So techniques to divert attention from the pain needs to be undertaken. Whenever you are getting subdued the pain, try thinking of some other blissful activity or something to keep your focus away.
Maintaining symptom diaries and stress management is an effective way to handle the syndrome.
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Keeping a note of which emotions and situations cause the surge in pain can help the physician to undertake better measures to control the disorder. The brain does not only control your sensation of pain, but can also block pain. Diverting attention can cause you to feel less pain. These stress management techniques help you focus on objects other than the pain. Try indulging in activities that cause distraction like reading or watching movies.
Antidepressants are the medications to control pain.
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Antidepressants are the medication which acts as pain relievers. They help you by stimulating the brain to issue signals that stop all pain control systems of the abdomen. These type of medication may take some week to show effect, so they should be stopped only on the doctor's permission. Monitor your progress closely upon consultation with your doctor.
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