Gastro Girl

Dr. Bilal Hameed, a Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist from the University of California San Francisco joins us for a discussion about alcohol-associated liver disease. A condition that has been on the rise, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, alcohol-associated liver disease is not just a physical deterioration of the liver but complicated by the nature of personal lifestyle choices involving alcohol consumption. Dr. Hameed shares his expertise on symptoms to watch out for, treatment options, and offers tips for having candid conversations with your healthcare provider. This episode is brought to you in partnership with the American College of Gastroenterology’s Patient Care Committee.

What happens when your patient with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) becomes pregnant? Will pregnancy trigger symptoms? Will EoE affect your pregnant patient’s ability to get proper nutrition? Can patients continue using medications prescribed for EoE? We welcome back Dr. Claire Beveridge, a Gastroenterologist from The Cleveland Clinic, to answer these questions and more so Primary Care and OB-GYN providers are armed with the information they need to better support their patients. Patients will also find this episode helpful if they have questions related to EoE and pregnancy. This episode is brought to you with support from Sanofi Regeneron.

Pediatric Gastroenterologist Dr. Sophia Patel of the Cleveland Clinic explains the presentation of Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) in children and what parents and caregivers should know about treatment options that are available for children. Dr. Patel also explains the progressive nature of EoE and why treatment adherence is key to successful management of EoE. She also shares tips to help older adolescents or young adults maintain their treatment plans. This episode is brought to you by Sanofi Regeneron.

We’re thrilled to feature Erica, a young teen who bravely shares her patient journey on this episode. Erica was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease when she was 7 years old, and she along with her Mom, Nicole, share some real-life insights from the family perspective when a child is living with a chronic digestive health condition. Erica also shares her personal experience at Camp Oasis, a summer sleep-away camp developed by The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation for children diagnosed with IBD. She explains how much Camp Oasis has made a positive impact on her life and why other kids with IBD should attend. To learn more about Camp Oasis, tune in to our previous episode with Becky Johnson Rescola, the Vice President of Education & Community Engagement at the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, as well as Pediatric Gastroenterologist Dr. Steven Steiner, who is the Medical Director of Camp Oasis in Michigan.

We’re excited to shine a light on the wonderful work The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is doing with Camp Oasis, a summer sleep-away camp designed for kids living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Joining us on this episode are Becky Johnson Rescola, the Vice President of Education & Community Engagement at the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, as well as Pediatric Gastroenterologist Dr. Steven Steiner, who is the Medical Director of Camp Oasis in Michigan. We discuss the benefits Camp Oasis has provided attendees based on the findings of a recent study. We also answer some common questions parents have about what they and their children can expect from the Camp Oasis experience.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) is increasingly recognized as a major cause of swallowing difficulties in children and adults. It affects about one in 2,000 people. But the differences in EoE presentation and outcomes by ethnicity and race remain understudied. Dr Evan Dellon from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill is here to explain EoE and discuss the recent findings of a study he co-authored, “Clinical Features and Treatment Response to Topical Steroids in Ethnic and Racial Minority Patients With Eosinophilic Esophagitis.” We focus on what patients need to know about the main findings, as well as tips for patients to begin discussing their symptoms and treatment options with their provider. This episode is brought to you by Sanofi Regeneron.

After lowering the screening age for colorectal cancer to 45, gastroenterologists are sounding the alarm that more and more younger people are showing signs of colorectal cancer. In this episode, Dr. Benjamin Levy from the University of Chicago shares his expertise on the theories and research underway to determine what’s causing younger individuals to develop cancerous polyps in their colon, ways to ease patient’s prep for a colonoscopy, and alternative colorectal cancer screening tests. Dr. Levy also highlights this year’s Tune It Up Virtual Concert and reveals the all-star line up of musical guests including Colbie Caillat, Lisa Loeb, Rufus Wainwright and others to help raise awareness for colorectal cancer screening. You can watch the free concert at GI.org/concert on Thursday March 28th at 8:00pm EDT. This episode is brought to you by the American College of Gastroenterology’s Patient Care Committee.

Lynch syndrome is a hereditary form of colorectal cancer. It is estimated that 1 in 279 people in the United States have this genetic predisposition but over 90% those people don’t even know it. Today’s guest, patient advocate Dave Dubin, was one of those people when he was first diagnosed with cancer at age 29. Dave is a 3x cancer survivor and has since started a non-profit foundation, Alive and Kick’n, (www.aliveandkickn.org/) to spread awareness of this genetic condition. Dave shares his patient story, the importance of genetic testing and early detection of cancers in the body, and how he’s managed to live a full and vibrant life despite his condition.

If you or a loved one are living with IBS, you don’t want to miss this episode! GI Psychologist Dr. Megan Riehl and Registered Dietitian Kate Scarlata introduce their new book, Mind Your Gut: The Science-based, Whole-body Guide to Living Well with IBS. Teaming together for the ultimate multidisciplinary approach to understanding GI conditions like IBS, Megan and Kate explain what readers can expect from the book, offer tips for navigating the misleading health claims on social media and share some tools for living your best life with IBS. And if you purchase the book via Gastro Girl’s affiliate link on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Your-Gut-Science-based-Whole-body/dp/030683233X?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=gastrogirl05-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=8601af98f65485d746aae5425eae20b5&camp=1789&creative=9325send in your proof of purchase to podcast@gastrogirl.com for an invite to a special Gastro Girl Virtual Q&A session with Kate and Megan, where you can ask all your most pressing questions related to IBS, nutrition and the gut-brain connection. Note: Live Q&A session is April 2, 2024. If you purchase the book after this date, you will have free access to the recorded session. *As an Amazon Associate, Gastro Girl earns from qualifying purchases.

The biliary tract (or biliary system) includes the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts. They work together to make, store and secrete bile, which is an important role in our digestive system. But what are the signs and symptoms that something is wrong? Doctor Navine Nasser-Ghodsi, a Gastroenterologist at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester, Massachusetts joins us with some vital insight. She explains the role of the biliary tract, the potential causes and risk factors of bile duct and gallbladder cancer, as well as treatment options. This episode also features expert tips on preventative care and recognizing when your gallbladder or biliary tract is telling you it’s time to see your doctor. This episode is brought to you in partnership with The American College of Gastroenterology’s Patient Care Committee.

Many people consume probiotic-containing foods to strengthen or revitalize their gut flora and potentially reduce gastrointestinal symptoms like gas and bloating. But do these foods actually contain the strains and amounts of good bacteria that is expected from what is printed on the label? We welcome Dr. Sabine Hazan, a gastroenterologist and microbiome expert from Ventura, CA, to discuss her findings from a recent study she presented at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Annual Scientific Meeting. The study analyzed 26 commercially available probiotic-containing foods to determine the presence and abundance of Bifidobacteria and other microbes and compare them to expected ingredients. Her findings–and–tips for consuming probiotic foods may surprise you.

While many people look forward to Super Bowl Sunday as a time to party with friends and family, for those living with gastrointestinal symptoms, like difficulty swallowing, or a condition like Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), food-centric social events can bring high anxiety. In this episode one of our favorite Registered Dietitians, Beth Rosen, joins us with some insights on EoE, including symptoms that could be triggered by your favorite Super Bowl foods. She also share tips for enjoying food-centric social events, like Super Bowl parties, and explains some of the warning signs of symptoms for those of us who may be struggling with an undiagnosed gastrointestinal condition like EoE, and why it’s important to see a gastroenterologist. Resources: EoE Playlist on Gastro Girl YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA6jR0eoexewd4cbKU6k8vwVFE0tN685W&feature=shared EoE Online Education Programs on GI OnDEMAND https://education.giondemand.com/collections?q=eoe Gastro Girl gastrogirl.com American College of Gastroenterology gi.org American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders apfed.org Beth Rosen, RD bethrosenrd.com

Are you or a loved one experiencing recurring bouts of nausea and vomiting? Are you struggling to figure out why you or a loved one feel good one day, and then have a period of time where food just doesn’t stay down? Gastroenterologist Dr. Matt Hoscheit of the Cleveland Clinic joins us on this episode to share his expertise on cyclic vomiting syndrome. He provides insight on possible causes; warning signs; and when patients should see their healthcare provider. We also discuss how cyclic vomiting syndrome is diagnosed, how it can affect patients quality of life and treatment options. This episode is brought to you in partnership with the American College of Gastroenterology’s Patient Care Committee.

Upper- and lower-gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are highly prevalent among athletes during exercise (especially endurance athletes) and can negatively impact performance. In severe cases it can pose health risks too. So what’s really going on in our guts when we’re exercising at a high-intensity level? We asked Drew Triplett, DO from Dayton Gastroenterology to join the show and help explain exercise-induced GI distress. As a marathon runner, Dr. Triplett has a unique perspective and offers some tips for athletes trying to regulate their digestive system during training or events. This episode is produced in collaboration with the American College of Gastroenterology’s Patient Care Committee.

The holiday season has a special place in many people’s hearts as we gather with loved ones and celebrate time-honored traditions. Of course, many of those traditions may involve food, and if you’re managing a chronic GI condition, those traditions may be a little tricky. That’s why we’ve invited back one of our favorite Registered Dietitians, Emily Haller, to offer some tips on navigating holiday meals while limiting the possibility of a flare up. Emily also discusses what holiday meals may have some hidden GI triggers in them, ingredient substitutes and whether or not using that special family dinner as a cheat meal may be right for you.

Living with an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) like ulcerative colitis can be a challenging journey for patients. But more and more patient advocates are willing to share their stories and connect with online communities for support. One of our recent favorites is Better Bellies By Molly. Molly joins us to share her experience with ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and why she decided to take her story to social media for the benefit of others who may be struggling with not just the physical symptoms of these chronic conditions, but the mental health impact as well. You can follow Molly on Instagram @betterbelliesbymolly or visit her website, betterbelliesbymolly.com to join her online community.

What does a doctor really mean when they ask a patient “are you feeling better”? We asked! In this special compilation episode brought to you by Ardelyx, we gathered a group of healthcare providers across the multidisciplinary spectrum to break down what signs they look for when assessing if a patient is improving with their IBS-C diagnosis. From symptom relief and management, to quality of life, these providers share a range of ideas on how to help their patients thrive with this chronic condition.

When a doctor asks you “are you feeling better”, what goes through your mind? How do you answer that question as a patient dealing with a chronic health condition? Is there a difference between what a doctor is looking for in an answer, and how a patient answers? We asked some of our previous patient advocate guests in this special compilation episode brought to you by Ardelyx, and the answers may surprise you. You may even relate to their struggle to not only define what better means for them, but how to communicate that to their healthcare provider.

Patients have told us they often feel lonely when they or a loved one has been diagnosed with a chronic gastrointestinal condition, such as an eosinophilic disorder like eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). We invited Mary Jo Strobel, the Executive Director of The American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (Apfed), to help address this major patient and caregiver stressor: “Where can I go for support and resources and connect with others going through similar health journeys?” Mary Jo explains all the resources Apfed has available to patients as well as parents navigating an eosinophilic disorder for their children. Check out the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel, @gastrogirl, for some help navigating Apfed’s extensive website and features that you can find at apfed.org.

Patients with chronic GI health conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often have complex treatment plans that require multiple medications. They may also have other health conditions like heart, kidney or liver disease that require several medications in addition to the medications prescribed by their gastroenterologist. In this episode Gastroenterologist Dr. Tauseef Ali and Clinical Pharmacists Carrie Breeden and Sarah Elkoubysi from SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma, explain the vital role clinical pharmacists play as members of the GI healthcare team. They provide eye-opening insight on how clinical pharmacists work with gastroenterologists and help patients fully understand their treatment options; the benefits and potential side effects of the medications they are being prescribed; and how these medications may interact with other lifestyle considerations, like diet, smoking and alcohol use.