When we can’t even make the time to sit down to eat in peace, there’s something wrong. Indigestion (dyspepsia) is a pain or burning feeling in your upper belly or abdomen. It is common in adults. Indigestion is not the same as heartburn. It is not related to stomach acid. Heartburn is when stomach acid goes out of your stomach … Read more
Fiber—you know it’s good for you. But if you’re like many Americans, you don’t get enough. In fact, most of us get about half the recommended amount of fiber each day. Dietary fiber is found in the plants you eat, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It’s sometimes called bulk or roughage. You’ve probably heard that it can help with … Read more
“Trust your gut” may sound like wishful thinking if you live with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), an ongoing health condition that causes pain, constipation, diarrhea and/or gas. But your doctor can work with you to create a plan to relieve your symptoms and help you trust your gut again. IBS is a disorder of the brain-gut interaction. It’s … Read more
As people age, it’s common to develop small pouches in the colon wall, called diverticula. Many people spend their lives without ever noticing a problem, but when the diverticula become infected problems result. Diverticulitis is when those little diverticula become infected. What are the symptoms of diverticular disease? Symptoms of diverticular disease depend on whether diverticula—pouches in the wall of … Read more
Digestive problems and stomach upsets can be prevented, relieved and even banished by simple lifestyle changes. Beat stress to ease tummy troubles! You may have noticed a feeling of unease in your stomach during times of stress. That’s because anxiety and worry can upset the delicate balance of digestion. In some people, stress slows down digestion, causing bloating, pain and constipation, while in … Read more
It can be tricky to diagnose a digestive disease because they share a lot of symptoms. Symptoms of many gut conditions include pain, gassiness, bloating, and diarrhea. To figure out what’s causing gut troubles, doctors may need to run a variety of tests. These can include blood tests and a stool test to look for infection. Some people may have … Read more