Professor Whorwell graduated in biochemistry at the University of London and in medicine at Guy’s Hospital, London . After a series of residencies and fellowships, one of which was in the USA, he was appointed as Consultant Physician and Gastroenterologist at the University Hospital of South Manchester in 1981 and was subsequently promoted to Professor of Medicine and Gastroenterology at the University of Manchester. Over the years he has had a particular interest in the functional gastrointestinal disorders and developed a unit undertaking research into the clinical, epidemiological and pathophysiological aspects of functional gastrointestinal disorders as well as caring for large numbers of these patients from all over the UK. It also undertakes a wide-ranging programme of research into new treatment options for these conditions including pharmacological, dietary and behavioural approaches.

Professor Whorwell has published over 350 papers and chapters in his fields of interest and serves on a number of international advisory panels and working parties.

• Epidemiology, pathophysiology and treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders including irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, chronic abdominal pain and non cardiac chest pain.
• Mechanisms and uses of hypnosis.

Key Words

• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Hypnosis
• Functional gastrointestinal disorders

• Clinical trials
• Physiological measurement of gastrointestinal function
• Questionnaire studies
• Hypnosis
• Immunological aspects of gut physiology