Some of the conditions that affect women disproportionately are obvious. Women have more breast tissue than men, pregnancy is dangerous in and of itself, and they typically live longer than men, spending their remaining years vulnerable to disease. However, women also need to be mindful of their significant risk when it comes to an organ system that we all have: the digestive tract. Women are surprisingly...
INTRODUCTION - A gastroenterologist specializes in infirmities and complications involving the gastrointestinal tract—i.e., the intestines, stomach, esophagus, pancreas, liver, colon and rectum. Their extensive training includes 5 additional years of education in gastroenterology and internal medicine after completing medical school. In addition to other specialized functions, gastroenterologists...
In the early 1980s, researchers at UCLA, funded by a caring dad, did an intestinal permeability (leaky gut) study. They found that people with Crohn's disease and their parents had double the intestinal leakiness of control subjects. A leaky gut is like a leaky bucket - not very good at its job. This study was the first to suggest that leaky gut syndrome might be part of the development of Crohn’s...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disease suffered by an estimated 25-45 million people in the United States. Symptoms include chronic abdominal pain, bloating, excess gas and irregular bowel movements. The condition can be aggravated by a number of triggers including anxiety, insomnia and stress. There are numerous alternative treatments to prescription medication that can help relieve symptoms....