Boehringer Ingelheim says abdominal pain is underestimated

A new study from Boehringer Ingelheim says that a quarter of the world’s population suffers from distressing abdominal pain, even though there are “effective and specific” treatments available.

It found that two-thirds of all sufferers of abdominal pain experience sudden attacks, of which a third report at least one “fierce” attack each week. Boehringer Ingelheim scientists claim that abdominal pain is often accompanied by constipation, bloating and flatulence – symptoms that people are often loathe to talk about.

Dr Richard Locke of the Mayo Clinic remarked: “They often feel like they are the only ones experiencing these symptoms, or in some cases, that they have caused the attacks by eating the wrong foods or taking on too much stress.”

“This ailment is characterised as a functional gastrointestinal disorder, which means that the abdomen appears to be normal but does not function properly. The symptoms need to be proactively managed and treated to improve the sufferer’s quality of life,” he added.

The report says that abdominal pain can be caused by stress, stimulating substances like coffee, food intolerance and eating and drinking habits.

Antispasmodic drugs are often in the form of anticholinergics, which work by reducing the production of acetylcholine, a hormone responsible for muscular movement. Boehringer Ingelheim claims that its Buscopan antispasmodic is the leading over-the-counter drug for abdominal pain relief.

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