PAIN

Sometimes mild, often severe. People living with AIP have said the following (although your symptoms may be different):

It feels like someone is slicing your insides with a straight razor, while pouring hot lava through them. There is really no way to explain it - R.C.

Being kicked with a steel-toed boot - K.E.

It feels like I am digesting glass shards - J.N.

A 600-pound person sitting on my stomach and twisting it like a wet towel to remove all the water - B.N.

Demons chewing their way out of my gut and standing in a pile of fire ants - R.K.

AIP can cause pain in your abdomen and many other parts of your body.
The pain can last for hours or days, only to leave and come back again. And again.

Complete the symptoms checklist

What happens in your body when you have AIP?

AIP symptoms are caused by the partial lack of an enzyme (a type of protein) in your body that helps make heme. The heme in your cells helps carry oxygen to all parts of your body. Usually the lack of enzyme does not affect your body and your body can produce the heme it needs. But occasional triggering events may increase your body’s need for heme. When this occurs, the lack of enzyme may disrupt the process of the production of heme, leading to build up of certain chemicals. When this happens, symptoms of AIP may occur.

Learn more about AIP symptoms

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