Gastro Symptoms of Menopause May Vary by Race

• Robert Preidt
• December 8, 2021
• Full Page

When a woman's periods begin to slow down and finally stop, digestive problems often pick up -- and new research suggests race and ethnicity play a role.

With menopause, levels of estrogen decrease, while cortisol levels increase, triggering an adrenaline boost that chan...

Younger Age Doesn't Boost Survival With Advanced Colon Cancer

• Robert Preidt
• October 28, 2021
• Full Page

Younger patients with advanced colon cancer don't live longer than older patients, but it's unclear why, researchers say.

The authors of the new study said they were surprised by the findings, which come as colon cancer rates are on the rise among young Americans.

...

1 in 10 People Have Gastro Issues After a Meal

• Steven Reinberg
• October 6, 2021
• Full Page

If you often have a stomachache after eating, you're not alone, a new survey finds. One in 10 people experience frequent meal-related pain.

This includes 13% of women and 9% of men, and is most common in 18- to 28-year-olds (15%), according to an online survey of more th...

New Hope for IBD Patients

• September 29, 2021
• Full Page

A drug previously approved for multiple sclerosis also can treat inflammatory bowel disease in some patients, a new clinical trial reports.

The medication, ozanimod (Zeposia), proved effective in helping patients with ulcerative colitis, sending many into full remission,...

Vitamin D Won't Help Ease Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Study

• Robert Preidt
• August 5, 2021
• Full Page

Taking vitamin D supplements won't improve painful symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), British researchers report.

IBS is a chronic digestive disorder that can cause stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. Symptoms come and go for some people, but th...

COVID Vaccines Appear Safe for People With IBD

• Robert Preidt
• June 10, 2021
• Full Page

The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines appear to be safe for people with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), a new study finds.

IBDs -- which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis -- are chronic conditions caused by an overreactive intestinal immune system, re...

Lockdowns Improved Symptoms for People With IBS

• Robert Preidt
• May 24, 2021
• Full Page

People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) had milder symptoms during the COVID-19 lockdown, possibly due to reduced stress levels and more control over their diet, Argentine researchers report.

"We think the results have something to do with people staying at home," sai...

The 5 Foods That Cut Your Odds for Colon Cancer

• April 3, 2021
• Full Page

When it comes to guarding against colon cancer, what you eat is everything.

You can reduce your risk of colon cancer by eating five food types, an expert says. These include: vegetables; whole grains; legumes; nuts and seeds; and fiber-rich fruit.

"Vegetables conta...

Abnormal Stool Test Result? Don't Delay Your Colonoscopy

• Robert Preidt
• February 11, 2021
• Full Page

Getting a colonoscopy as soon as possible after an abnormal stool test could reduce your risk of colon cancer and death from the disease, researchers say.

In a new study, investigators analyzed data from more than 200,000 U.S. veterans, aged 50 to 75, who had an abnormal...

Neanderthal Poop Provides Clues to  Modern Humans' 'Microbiome'

• Cara Murez
• February 9, 2021
• Full Page

What can poop from ancient Neanderthals tell us?

It turns out that it harbors valuable information about modern-day gut health.

An international research group led by the University of Bologna in Italy analyzed ancient DNA samples extracted from 50,000-year-old sed...

Study Probes Links in Asthma, Food Sensitivity and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

• Robert Preidt
• October 12, 2020
• Full Page

Teens who had asthma and food hypersensitivity when they were younger are at increased risk of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), researchers report.

For the study, the investigators examined the health of 2,770 children from birth to age 16. Kids with IBS at age 16 wer...

His Body Brewed Its Own Alcohol, But a Fecal Transplant Shut the Brewery Down

• Amy Norton
• August 18, 2020
• Full Page

In a first, doctors have used a fecal transplant to treat a rare condition that causes the body to brew its own alcohol.

The disorder, known as auto-brewery syndrome (ABS), occurs when yeast builds up in the gut and converts sugar from food into alcohol. The result i...

High-Fiber, Low-Fat Diet May Help People With Ulcerative Colitis

• Steven Reinberg
• July 10, 2020
• Full Page

A low-fat, high-fiber diet may improve the quality of life of patients with ulcerative colitis, a new study finds.

"Patients with inflammatory bowel disease always ask us what they should eat to make their symptoms better," said researcher Dr. Maria Abreu. She's a p...

New Guidelines Say No to Probiotics for Digestive Woes

• Robert Preidt
• June 9, 2020
• Full Page

There isn't enough scientific evidence to support using probiotics to treat most digestive disorders, according to a new American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) guideline.

Probiotics are living, microscopic organisms found in foods or dietary supplements, acco...

Studies Show COVID-19 Can Infect and Harm Digestive Organs

• E.J. Mundell
• May 14, 2020
• Full Page

The new coronavirus isn't just attacking the lungs: New research shows it's causing harm to the gastrointestinal tract, especially in more advanced cases of COVID-19.

A variety of imaging scans performed on hospitalized COVID-19 patients showed bowel abnormalities, a...

'Dead' Probiotic Bacteria Could Help Ease Irritable Bowel

• Amy Norton
• April 9, 2020
• Full Page

Probiotic supplements containing "killed" bacteria might help some people with irritable bowel syndrome find relief, a new study suggests.

Experts said the findings add to evidence that certain probiotics can help some people with irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. An...

HPV Blamed for Rising Rates of Anal Cancer

• Steven Reinberg
• November 20, 2019
• Full Page

Anal cancer rates have surged in the past 15 years, and the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) may be to blame, a new study suggests.

"What was very shocking to us was that the rate and incidence of anal cancer has increased very fast," said lead resear...

AHA News: Quitting Smoking Could Lead to Major Changes in Gut Bacteria

• November 15, 2019
• Full Page

Quitting smoking leads to major changes in intestinal bacteria, according to new research. But just what the changes mean will need further investigation.

The small pilot study, to be presented Monday during the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions in Ph...

Obesity May Be Upping Rates of Pancreatic Cancer Worldwide

• Robert Preidt
• October 23, 2019
• Full Page

Rising rates of obesity and diabetes could be pushing up rates of pancreatic cancer across the globe, a new report suggests.

Global rates of colon cancer are also on the rise, although fewer cases are now proving deadly, researchers said.

Colon cancer rates...

Skin Fungi May Be Tied to Bowel Disease

• Robert Preidt
• March 8, 2019
• Full Page

Crohn's disease involves inflammation of the digestive tract. But new research into its causes is focusing on fungi commonly found on the skin.

These microscopic fungi, called Malassezia restricta, are linked to dandruff. They're found in oily skin and scalp f...

Foot Stools Move Human Stool Along

• Robert Preidt
• January 10, 2019
• Full Page

A simple potty stool under your feet might help cure constipation, researchers say.

"These toilet stools became popular through things like viral videos and social media, but there was really no medical evidence to show whether or not they are effective," said resear...