According to the Rome Foundation, Disorder of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI) is a recent term that encompasses dozens of disorders that occur in over 40% of adults and children. DGBI replaced Functional GI Disorders with the publication of Rome IV in 2016 because of the false perception that the historic use of the term “functional” implied that the disorders were less legitimate than other disorders. The reason for this originated from and is steeped in the influence of dualistic mind-body principles that separate “organic” disorders, attributed by some to be more “real” and functional disorders (i.e., nonstructural disorders), which are often considered psychiatric or undefined. DGBI is a group of disorders classified by GI symptoms related to any combination of:

• Motility disturbance

• Visceral hypersensitivity

• Altered mucosal and immune function

• Altered gut microbiota

• Altered central nervous system (CNS) processing

Come join panel moderator and chair, Dr. David Brady, in a compelling panel discussion as he again leads an expert panel on a very compelling topic at IHS by carefully curating a blend of two prestigious and prolific conventional gastroenterology physician-researchers, a translational microbiome expert, and a very experienced functional/integrative medicine physician, all of whom have dealt with large numbers of patient cases involving complicated and chronic GI issues.

Session Learning Objectives:

1.) Evaluate what DGBI is and how this new term and category of gut disorders came about.

2.) Assess the current state of thinking on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), DGBI, and include the current consensus amongst the top researchers on etiology, mechanisms of disease, and various efficacious treatment approaches.

3.) Explore the popular SIBO model, including testing and treatment, and how this is viewed amongst the top researchers and clinicians in the field of gastroenterology currently: The good, the bad, and the ugly.

4.) Identify the gut-brain axis issues and visceral hypersensitivity in DGBI/IBS.

5.) Assess current understandings of the microbiome and GI environment and how it relates to these disorders, including stool testing with qPCR & sequencing, stool chemistries, etc.

6.) Apply other evaluation and testing approaches (i.e., patient functional questionnaires, motility studies, imaging, anti-CdtB and anti-vinculin antibodies, etc.).

7.) Understand how diet and lifestyle factors and approaches alter patient outcomes and current best practices in this regard: (How can integrative and functional clinicians make the biggest impact with these patients?).