Imagine getting stuck with a small needle and experiencing agonizing intense pain. That is what hyperalgesia is like. Hyperalgesia is a condition in which there is extreme sensitivity to something painful.

One form of hyperalgesia is visceral hyperalgesia, extreme sensitivity to something painful in the internal organs, usually those of the belly. Visceral hyperalgesia can also mean an increased awareness of the normal movements of internal organs, such as the intestines. It is a common symptom of people with irritable bowel syndrome, a disorder of the intestines with various signs and symptoms, and no clear biological cause.