irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional gastrointestinal disorder affecting approximately 11% of the global population, characterised by chronic abdominal pain and altered bowel habits in the absence of structural disease. The gut-brain axis, microbiome composition, visceral hypersensitivity, and barrier dysfunction are recognised as key pathophysiological contributors. Dietary manipulation, probiotics, neuromodulators, and microbiome-targeted therapies are among the most active research areas.