Visceral hypersensitivity means that the internal organs (like the gut) are extra sensitive to pain or discomfort. This is a big reason why people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) feel a lot of belly pain. Scientists have found that this sensitivity is connected to a few things: a weak gut lining (mucosal barrier), inflammation (the body’s response to irritation), and the nerves in the gut (called enteric neurons), along with special cells called enteric glial cells (EGCs).
In a study, researchers looked at baby rats born to moms who were given antibiotics. These babies, when they grew up, had more sensitive guts, were more stressed by something called WAS (water avoidance stress, a test that makes rats anxious), and had problems with their gut nerves. Their gut lining wasn’t working well either, and they had more inflammation in their bodies.
What does this mean? It suggests that if a mom’s gut bacteria are messed up (called gut dysbiosis) before she gets pregnant, it might affect how her baby’s gut and nerves develop. This could make the baby more likely to have gut issues later in life, maybe even something like IBS. So, the health of a mom’s gut bacteria before pregnancy could play a big role in her kid’s health!
