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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

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    My boyfriend (44) is constipated. He has taken three or four different kinds of laxatives but they don't seem to be helping him. What will help him?

    Constipation means difficult and less frequent bowel movements. The stool becomes hard, dry and sometimes painful to pass. At one time or another, almost everyone gets constipated. In most cases, it lasts a sho... continue reading  about  My boyfriend (44) is constipated. He has taken three or four different kinds of laxatives but they don't seem to be helping him. What will help him?

    Vinod K. Kurupath

    Vinod K. Kurupath, M.D.

    Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation

    I have been diagnosed with a digestive disorder and I may be a candidate for an endoscopic ultrasound. What are the benefits of this procedure?

    In conventional endoscopy, the gastroenterologist can only view the innermost lining of the digestive tract. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) allows a doctor to look at more than the inner layers of the gastrointest... continue reading  about  I have been diagnosed with a digestive disorder and I may be a candidate for an endoscopic ultrasound. What are the benefits of this procedure?

    Deborah Kurzrock

    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?

    Katerina P. Shetler

    Katerina P. Shetler, M.D.

    Palo Alto Medical Foundation

    I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease two years ago. I recently heard that more harmful bacteria are found in a person with Crohn's than those without this disease. If this is true, is there anything I can do to change the bacteria in my system?

    Thank you very much for this question.The intestinal bacteria can play an important role in the development and progression of Crohn's disease. The intestinal microbial community performs a range of useful func... continue reading  about  I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease two years ago. I recently heard that more harmful bacteria are found in a person with Crohn's than those without this disease. If this is true, is there anything I can do to change the bacteria in my system?

    Frank L. Anderson

    Frank L. Anderson, M.D.

    Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

    I just purchased a gluten lactase enzyme medication that claims to let me eat anything safely. I have recently been diagnosed with celiac disease, and also feel lactose intolerant. Will this product work, or did I just waste my money?

    That sounds like a product too good to be true and I would imagine persons suffering from celiac disease and lactose intolerance would be very receptive. Unfortunately these are two very different problems whic... continue reading  about  I just purchased a gluten lactase enzyme medication that claims to let me eat anything safely. I have recently been diagnosed with celiac disease, and also feel lactose intolerant. Will this product work, or did I just waste my money?

    Sanjeev Tummala

    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?

    Caroline Schreiber

    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?

    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?

    Deborah Kurzrock

    Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.

    Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

    I have a gluten and a dairy intolerance as well as high cholesterol. Do you have a diet suggestion that may address these issues and still allow me to enjoy meal times? I hate tofu!

    You definitely have a challenging dietary situation, but you do have some good options beside tofu.There are plenty of legumes and nuts that you can incorporate into your diet. You could make a bean vegetarian ... continue reading  about  I have a gluten and a dairy intolerance as well as high cholesterol. Do you have a diet suggestion that may address these issues and still allow me to enjoy meal times? I hate tofu!

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