IBS & Functional Pain

Disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) require central and gut-targeted approaches with growing pharmacotherapy options. The session covers Rome IV IBS classification and subtype-specific therapy, central neuromodulators (TCAs, SSRIs, SNRIs, mirtazapine), gut-directed hypnotherapy and CBT evidence, digital therapeutics for IBS (Mahana FDA-cleared, Cara Care, GIThrive), low-FODMAP diet implementation, and emerging targets including bile-acid modulators and microbiome interventions. Discussion addresses visceral hypersensitivity neurobiology, post-infectious IBS (the COVID-19 long-term GI symptoms parallel), IBS in pediatric populations, the comparison of IBS with overlap disorders (fibromyalgia, migraine), and emerging anti-itch and anti-pain receptor targets.