Fasting: What You Need to Know
Ever considered fasting? Our doctors talk about the benefits and science behind intermittent fasting.
How to Prevent Food Poisoning
Our experts offer advice on how to steer clear of foodborne illnesses.
What Causes Stomach Ulcers?
If you believe stress and spicy foods cause stomach ulcers, think again.
Featured Articles

How to Reduce Gas and a Bloated Belly
Learn the most common reasons for that sudden belly expansion, and how a few lifestyle adjustments can help.

Women: What to Know About Your Digestive Tract
For reasons both physical and hormonal, women’s digestive systems function differently from men’s. Learn what that means for your body.

Soothing Heartburn
Heartburn (acid reflux) happens when stomach juices splash up into your esophagus. Find out why you shouldn’t ignore it.
Ask an Expert
Karen Pantazis, M.D.
Sutter Amador Hospital
I have severe bloating from taking pain medication. Is this normal?
I would need to know more about what symptoms are being described as "bloating". If it is referring to constipation or an expanding abdomen, yes - many pain medications, especially opioids (hydrocodone, oxycodo... continue reading about I have severe bloating from taking pain medication. Is this normal?
Risa Kagan, M.D., FACOG
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus
I had a partial hysterectomy in 2005 but still have my ovaries. A year later, I began to have cramps, gas and bloating every 28 days. Recently these symptoms began to appear every week. How much longer can this go on?
Many women after a hysterectomy can still have "cycles" if their ovaries are in place. They will not bleed since the uterus is no longer present, but they can still have the usual bloating and other PMS symptom... continue reading about I had a partial hysterectomy in 2005 but still have my ovaries. A year later, I began to have cramps, gas and bloating every 28 days. Recently these symptoms began to appear every week. How much longer can this go on?
Modern Weng, DO
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
What common medications cause constipation? It seems that ibuprofen affects me.
Constipation is fairly common affliction affecting an estimated 24-50 percent of older adults. The most common medications that may cause constipation are:Narcotic pain medications (e.g Vicodin)Iron supplements... continue reading about What common medications cause constipation? It seems that ibuprofen affects me.
Caroline Schreiber, M.D.
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus
What does gallbladder pain feel like? How do I know if I need medical attention?
The gallbladder is a sack about the size of a fig that is attached to the underside of the liver. Its function is to store bile, which is a substance made in the liver that is necessary to digest fat. When you ... continue reading about What does gallbladder pain feel like? How do I know if I need medical attention?
Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
I've been diagnosed with diverticulitis (no longer acute) and have been told to avoid nuts and seeds. Do things like peas, beans, corn count as seeds? What is a good diet to avoid another bout of diverticulitis? (I'm also lactose intolerant.)
In the past, many doctors recommended that people with diverticulitis avoid nuts and seeds. It was thought that these small particles could lodge in the diverticula and cause inflammation (which is diverticulit... continue reading about I've been diagnosed with diverticulitis (no longer acute) and have been told to avoid nuts and seeds. Do things like peas, beans, corn count as seeds? What is a good diet to avoid another bout of diverticulitis? (I'm also lactose intolerant.)
Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
I have bleeding stomach ulcers. What foods do I need to avoid? What foods are beneficial?
It is a myth that spicy foods or a stressful job can cause peptic ulcers. Doctors now know that a bacterial infection or some medications - not stress or diet - cause most peptic ulcers.Your doctor will help in... continue reading about I have bleeding stomach ulcers. What foods do I need to avoid? What foods are beneficial?
Steven Machtinger, M.D.
Mills-Peninsula Physician HMO Network
How can I know if I have a lagging reaction to a specific food?
When we're talking about reactions to food, most people think any reaction must be allergic in origin. Not true. There are many reasons why one may have an adverse reaction to a food. A few examples: coffee may... continue reading about How can I know if I have a lagging reaction to a specific food?
Frank L. Anderson, M.D.
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
What does stool color tell me? Aside from bloody or black, are there other colors I should be concerned about?
That's a great question and one everyone has thought about at some point. Stool color is determined by a combination of bile, what you eat that isn't absorbed, and how fast or slowly the intestinal stream moves... continue reading about What does stool color tell me? Aside from bloody or black, are there other colors I should be concerned about?
Sanjeev Tummala, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
I have been diagnosed with a fatty liver. What causes this and can this condition be reversed?
A functioning liver is vital to human life. Your liver filters harmful substances out of your blood and converts the food you eat into nutrients your body uses. A liver with too much fat - over 5 to 10 percent ... continue reading about I have been diagnosed with a fatty liver. What causes this and can this condition be reversed?
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