What is visceral hypersensitivity?

Are you familiar with the term visceral hypersensitivity ?

For those living with chronic gut issues, particularly Disorders of Gut Brain Interaction, it is a helpful concept to understand. It is one of the reasons everything can “look normal” on tests or investigations while someone is experiencing quite a lot of pain and discomfort.

Visceral hypersensitivity is a term used to describe abnormal pain signaling from the internal organs.

This can either manifest as a painful response to normal stimuli (called allodynia) and/or an exaggerated painful response to painful stimuli (called hyperalgesia).

An example of allodynia might be experiencing painful bloating when the gas volumes in the gut are in fact normal.

An example of hyperalgesia might be severe and disproportionate pain when experiencing mild to moderate constipation or diarrhoea.

Visceral hypersensitivity occurs in several Disorders of Gut Brain Interaction, particularly those involving pain such as IBS and Centrally-Mediated Abdominal Pain Syndrome.

Treatment approaches may include medications, dietary adjustments, exercise prescription, psychological therapies and mindfulness/relaxation practices.

-Kate Lane, APD, CEDC-D