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Chronic Abdominal Functional Pain Syndrome

Chronic abdominal functional pain syndrome—also called functional abdominal pain syndrome, or FAPS—is a condition characterized by long-term abdominal pain that appears unrelated to food intake or general bowel function.

  1. The Facts

    • The term chronic abdominal pain describes pain that persists either constantly or intermittently for a period of more than three months, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. In individuals with FAPS, pain persists for more than six months, has no clear physical cause and significantly impairs daily life.

    Pain Perception

    • FAPS appears to cause changes in the normal perception of pain (nociception), the Merck Manuals online library reports. Potential factors in these perceptual changes include stress, depression and cultural background.

    Abdominal Injury

    • In some cases, FAPS may appear after repeated physical injury to abdominal nerves causes abnormal abdominal sensitivity, according to the American College of Gastroenterology. Undergoing several abdominal surgeries may trigger this response.

    Medications

    • Treatments for FAPS generally seek to control pain, since a cure is unlikely. Medications used for treatment may include tricyclic antidepressants, aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, proton pump inhibitors or H2 receptor blockers, according to the Merck Manuals online library.

    Psychological Treatments

    • Psychological treatments used to control FAPS include stress management, hypnosis, cognitive-behavioral therapy and keeping a symptom diary, the American College of Gastroenterology reports.

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