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Digestive Health

Digestive woes happen to all of us at some time or another. Follow this advice to avoid or manage some of the most common belly complaints.

Maintaining Gut Health

Watch this video to learn how keep your gut healthy and balanced.

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

    Cottage cheese

    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.

    Woman with stomach-ache

    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.

    Orange juice

    Soothing Heartburn

    Heartburn (acid reflux) happens when stomach juices splash up into your esophagus. Find out why you shouldn’t ignore it.

    View All Digestive Health Articles

    Ask an Expert

    Deborah Kurzrock

    Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.

    Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

    Does goat cheese contain lactose? If I am lactose intolerant, is it safe to eat?

    Lactose is the sugar found in milk. If you have been told you are lactose intolerant, you are unable to digest this sugar. Some people can eat or drink small amounts of lactose, while others can not tolerate an... continue reading  about  Does goat cheese contain lactose? If I am lactose intolerant, is it safe to eat?

    Michelle Smith

    Michelle Smith, R.N.N.P.

    Sutter Gould Medical Foundation

    Why is it that recently, at my age of 44, I get extremely bad stomach aches and feel really bloated, one to two weeks before my period? I've never had this before.

    Welcome to life in your 40s! A lot of changes can and do happen. My first recommendation is to see a gastrointestinal doctor or nurse practitioner. Stomach aches and bloating often occur with irritable bowel sy... continue reading  about  Why is it that recently, at my age of 44, I get extremely bad stomach aches and feel really bloated, one to two weeks before my period? I've never had this before.

    Katerina P. Shetler

    Katerina P. Shetler, M.D.

    Palo Alto Medical Foundation

    I have intestinal scarring from scleroderma, which now is in remission. I have trouble digesting food and suffer from diarrhea, constipation, digestive pain and rectal cramps. What foods are best for me and what should I avoid?

    I am sorry to hear that scleroderma affected your bowel.The scleroderma may affect motility of the small bowel and stomach. It can also lead to the recurrent small intestine bacterial overgrowth. Patients with ... continue reading  about  I have intestinal scarring from scleroderma, which now is in remission. I have trouble digesting food and suffer from diarrhea, constipation, digestive pain and rectal cramps. What foods are best for me and what should I avoid?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    I'm a senior citizen in good health. I stopped taking estrogen two months ago. Within 10 days I started having soft, gray colored stools and gas. A recent colonoscopy test was normal. I don't eat dairy products. Could stopping estrogen be the cause?

    Estrogen, or the withdrawal of estrogen, is not known to change stool or bowel habits as described. That said, I think of estrogen as all-powerful. Anything is possible. One way to know would be to go back on e... continue reading  about  I'm a senior citizen in good health. I stopped taking estrogen two months ago. Within 10 days I started having soft, gray colored stools and gas. A recent colonoscopy test was normal. I don't eat dairy products. Could stopping estrogen be the cause?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    I don't like and can't tolerate milk and dairy products. How can I add calcium to my diet during pregnancy?

    From 1,200-1,500 mg of calcium is recommended every day during pregnancy. If you are lactose intolerant, you will need to look for other good sources of calcium, such as legumes (starchy beans), dark green vege... continue reading  about  I don't like and can't tolerate milk and dairy products. How can I add calcium to my diet during pregnancy?

    Sue Hazeghazam

    Sue Hazeghazam, R.D.

    Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento

    I'm 56 and in very good health. My eating habits are normal, but I get bloated frequently. Can you give me some information on what may cause this and how to prevent it?

    My first thought goes to the possibility of lactose intolerance (the diminished ability to properly breakdown lactose in the intestinal tract). Lactose intolerance can occur when people age and may also occur i... continue reading  about  I'm 56 and in very good health. My eating habits are normal, but I get bloated frequently. Can you give me some information on what may cause this and how to prevent it?

    Risa Kagan

    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?

    Katerina P. Shetler

    Katerina P. Shetler, M.D.

    Palo Alto Medical Foundation

    Is the presence of lactose intolerance and/or irritable bowel syndrome typically associated with someone who may also be sensitive to gluten?

    Thank you for this very interesting question. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome suffer from abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, loose bowel movements or constipation. Patients with lactose intolerance and ... continue reading  about  Is the presence of lactose intolerance and/or irritable bowel syndrome typically associated with someone who may also be sensitive to gluten?

    Frank L. Anderson

    Frank L. Anderson, M.D.

    Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

    In the past I've take steroids for my irritable bowel syndrome, but since I've stopped, my IBS has returned. What are your thoughts on long-term steroid use for IBS?

    It would be most important to distinguish your problem by its full diagnostic name. You refer to "IBS", which stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Steroids are rarely used for this condition. If the letters are... continue reading  about  In the past I've take steroids for my irritable bowel syndrome, but since I've stopped, my IBS has returned. What are your thoughts on long-term steroid use for IBS?

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