There are other reasons why customers may complain of abdominal pain or cramps. Here are some of the most common:

Non-IBS stomach cramps

Exactly why one person suffers from stomach cramps while the next person doesn't is not clear. However, there are some recognised trigger factors, including stress and anxiety (a hectic, stress-filled lifestyle can result in skipping meals, eating on the run, poor sleep and general worry, all of which may upset digestive health), changes in the daily routine (e.g. travel, jetlag, shift working patterns), dietary changes and hormonal factors.

If measures can be taken to avoid triggers, these should be taken. Anyone complaining of stomach cramps that you can't pin down to a cause and who hasn't been diagnosed with IBS should be referred to the pharmacist.

Indigestion and heartburn

Indigestion and heartburn are conditions that affect the upper digestive tract. The main symptom is usually pain or a feeling of discomfort in the chest or stomach area. You can read more about the signs, symptoms and treatment of these conditions in the heartburn and indigestion section.

Period pain (dysmenorrhoea)

A woman's hormones can aggravate the symptoms of stomach cramps and IBS, but if a customer presents with abdominal pain before or during her period, she may be suffering from dysmenorrhoea (period pain).

This type of pain is a dull ache and is generally felt lower down than pain associated with GI problems. It may spread to the lower back and thighs and normally lasts between 12 and 24 hours. It can be treated with OTC pain relievers (see the pain relief section for more information).