Although studies on the extent of somatic hypersensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients are considered inconclusive, some scientists believe confusion may stem from differing somatic pain testing procedures.

The latest study evaluated thermal pain sensitivity among patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS (D-IBS) and constipation-predominant IBS (C-IBS) using a Medoc Thermal Sensory Analyzer with a 3 cm x 3 cm surface area.

It concluded that healthy controls were less sensitive than either C-IBS or D-IBS patients for heat pain threshold and heat pain tolerance.

In addition to that, the researchers found a strong relationship between heat pain measures and Functional Bowel Disease Severity Index (FBDSI) scores so that IBS patients with high FBDSI scores had the highest thermal pain sensitivity compared to those with low to moderate scores.

Whatever the outcome, those who face digestive problems such as constipation may turn to natural health resources for relief.

For example, HomeRemedies.org recommends an Ayurvedic preparation which consists of three herbs – Indian gooseberry, belleric myrobalan and chebulic myrobalan – which should be dissolved in water, left overnight and drunk first thing in the morning.