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Can liver damage be reversed? What does it mean if you've been told you have liver fibrosis, and does liver scarring always lead to cirrhosis? Chronic liver disease can develop with few noticeable symptoms, making it difficult to recognize liver damage before the disease becomes more advanced. In this episode, hepatologist Dr. Richard K. Sterling joins Gastro Girl to explain what patients need to know about chronic liver disease, liver fibrosis, and cirrhosis—including whether liver damage can improve and why identifying the underlying cause matters. You'll learn: What causes ongoing liver injury and how fibrosis develops Whether liver fibrosis always progresses to cirrhosis Whether liver damage can improve or potentially reverse How healthcare providers identify and assess liver scarring What common liver blood tests can—and cannot—tell you How noninvasive tests help assess the risk of advanced fibrosis Why identifying and treating the underlying cause of liver disease matters Dr. Sterling also explains what patients should know about their liver test results, why early evaluation matters, and which questions to discuss with their healthcare team to help protect their long-term liver health. This episode is produced in collaboration with the American College of Gastroenterology's Patient Care Committee. For more trusted digestive health education, visit https://gastrogirl.com or gi.org/patients.

Can digestive enzymes really help reduce gas, bloating, and other uncomfortable digestive symptoms? And why do certain foods trigger symptoms in some people but not others? In this episode of Gastro Girl, GI dietitian Erin Judge, RDN, CSDH, explains how digestive enzymes work, why FODMAPs and other poorly absorbed carbohydrates can contribute to digestive symptoms, and when supplemental enzymes may be helpful. In this episode, you'll learn: What FODMAPs are and why they can trigger gas and bloating How digestive enzymes help break down food When supplemental digestive enzymes may be useful What to know before eliminating foods from your diet How to approach food-related digestive symptoms without unnecessary restrictions We also discuss FODZYME, where Erin serves as Clinical Marketing Manager, including how the product works, how it's used with food, and what the available evidence suggests about targeted digestive enzymes. Whether you're living with IBS, struggling with bloating, or wondering if digestive enzymes are worth trying, this conversation will help you better understand your options.   This episode is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Related resources: Clinicians can request free FODZYME samples for patients at providers.fodzyme.com/hcp-sample-request Customers can save 20% off your first FODZYME subscription order at fodzyme.com/foodfreedom

Living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often means paying close attention to your symptoms and how well your treatment is controlling the disease. But what happens when you're still having symptoms; or a treatment that once worked doesn't seem to be working as well anymore? In this episode, Dr. Corey Siegel, an IBD specialist and Director of the Center for Digestive Health at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, joins us to explain how patients and their healthcare teams can recognize when an IBD treatment may not be achieving its goals and when it may be time to reassess the treatment plan. We discuss what successful IBD treatment can look like, why response to treatment may change over time, and how healthcare teams determine whether ongoing symptoms are caused by active IBD or something else. In this episode, you'll learn: What successful IBD treatment can look like How long it may take to evaluate whether a treatment is working Why a treatment that once worked may become less effective How healthcare teams determine whether symptoms are caused by active IBD or something else What treatment optimization means and when a different approach may be considered Why your goals, concerns, and preferences matter when making treatment decisions with your healthcare team Dr. Siegel also explains why ongoing monitoring and open communication with your healthcare team are important and how shared decision-making can help patients and clinicians determine the next steps in IBD care. This episode was produced by Gastro Girl with support from Sanofi.

Pregnancy can bring major changes to digestion and bowel habits. But if you're already living with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C), bloating, abdominal discomfort, or chronic constipation, it can be difficult to know what's related to pregnancy—and what may be related to your digestive condition. In this episode of the Gastro Girl Health Podcast, Dr. Lin Chang, Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and a leading expert in disorders of gut-brain interaction and women's digestive health, explains what patients should know about IBS-C and constipation during pregnancy. You'll learn: • How pregnancy-related constipation differs from IBS-C • Why IBS symptoms may change during pregnancy • What may contribute to increased bloating and constipation • Diet and lifestyle strategies to discuss with your healthcare provider • What to know about the low-FODMAP diet during pregnancy • Treatment and medication considerations • Symptoms that shouldn't automatically be attributed to IBS or pregnancy If you're pregnant—or planning a pregnancy—and live with IBS-C or chronic constipation, this conversation can help you better understand your symptoms and prepare for conversations with your healthcare team. This patient education episode was produced by Gastro Girl in collaboration with the American College of Gastroenterology Patient Care Committee. #IBSC #Pregnancy #Constipation #IBS #Bloating #DigestiveHealth

If you've been struggling with symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C)—or have ever felt like your symptoms weren't being taken seriously—this episode is for you. Makenna shares her personal journey of living with IBS-C, from first experiencing symptoms in high school to spending years searching for answers while being told there wasn't really anything wrong. Her experience ultimately helped shape her professional path: she went on to earn her PhD, with research focused on IBS. In this conversation, Makenna opens up about the physical and emotional impact of living with IBS-C and the challenges patients can face when trying to explain symptoms that aren't always visible. We also explore the gut-brain connection, how IBS-C symptoms can overlap with gynecologic issues, lifestyle factors that may affect symptoms, and why communicating clearly with your healthcare provider matters. In this episode, you'll learn: Common signs and symptoms associated with IBS-C How IBS-C symptoms can overlap with gynecologic issues What the gut-brain connection means for people living with IBS-C Lifestyle factors that may affect symptoms How to more effectively describe your symptoms to your healthcare provider Why finding an individualized approach to managing IBS-C matters IBS-C can significantly affect daily life and quality of life, but there are treatment and management options available. Whether you're newly experiencing symptoms or have been living with IBS-C for years, this conversation can help you better understand the condition and prepare for more productive conversations with your healthcare team. This episode was produced by Gastro Girl with support from Ardelyx.

A diagnosis of cirrhosis can feel overwhelming, but understanding what's happening in your liver—and knowing what you can do to protect your health—can make a meaningful difference. In this episode, Gastro Girl host Jacqueline Gaulin is joined by Jennifer Lai, MD, MBA, a hepatologist at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), for a practical conversation about living with cirrhosis and reducing the risk of complications.   Dr. Lai explains what cirrhosis is, why ongoing monitoring and regular medical care are so important, and how nutrition, physical activity, and maintaining muscle can play an important role in overall health. She also discusses complications people with cirrhosis should be aware of, warning signs that may require medical attention, and how patients can work with their healthcare team to stay as healthy as possible.   In this episode, you'll learn: • What cirrhosis is and what it means for your liver • Why regular monitoring and follow-up care matter • How nutrition and muscle health can affect people with cirrhosis • Common complications of cirrhosis and what to watch for • Practical steps you can take to protect your health • How to stay actively involved in your care   Whether you've recently been diagnosed with cirrhosis, have been living with chronic liver disease for some time, or are caring for someone with cirrhosis, this conversation will help you better understand the condition, know what to expect, and feel more prepared to talk with your healthcare team.   This patient education episode was produced by Gastro Girl in collaboration with the American College of Gastroenterology Patient Care Committee.

For many people living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), understanding what remission actually means can be confusing. If your symptoms improve, does that mean your IBD is under control? And if you're in remission, is the disease gone for good? In Part 2 of our conversation with IBD expert Dr. Jessica Allegretti, we explore what remission means in IBD and why feeling better is only one part of the picture. We discuss: Clinical remission versus endoscopic remission What mucosal healing means The treat-to-target approach in IBD care Why modern treatment goals focus on long-term disease control How controlling inflammation may help reduce the risk of future complications Understanding both how you feel and what may be happening inside your body can help you have more informed conversations with your healthcare team and take an active role in managing your IBD. Subscribe to Gastro Girl for more expert-led conversations designed to help you navigate digestive health with confidence. This educational initiative is sponsored by Merck.

Why does the immune system cause inflammation in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis? And what do the gut microbiome, intestinal lining, and genetics have to do with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)? In this episode of the Gastro Girl Podcast, host Jacqueline Gaulin talks with gastroenterologist and IBD expert Dr. Colleen Kelly about the important connection between the gut and immune system in IBD. Dr. Kelly explains how Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are immune-mediated diseases, why the immune system becomes involved in intestinal inflammation, and how interactions among the immune system, gut lining, genetics, and the trillions of microorganisms that make up the gut microbiome may contribute to IBD. You'll learn: How the immune system and digestive tract normally work together What happens to the immune response in IBD Why inflammation develops in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis How the intestinal barrier, or gut lining, fits into the picture What scientists understand about the gut microbiome and IBD Why IBD involves much more than digestive symptoms How understanding the biology of IBD can help you have more informed conversations with your healthcare team Whether you've recently been diagnosed with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, are living with IBD, or are supporting someone who is, this patient-focused conversation provides an accessible foundation for understanding what is happening inside the body and why it matters for managing IBD. This educational initiative is sponsored by Merck.

A Barrett's esophagus diagnosis can leave you wondering what comes next. Understanding your follow-up care, surveillance plan, and individual risk can help you take a more active role in your health. In this final episode of our 4-part U.S.-focused Barrett's esophagus patient education series, Advanced Practice Provider Tedra Gray shares practical guidance to help patients better understand ongoing care, surveillance, risk management, and how to advocate for themselves within the healthcare system. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why follow-up care and surveillance are important • Why monitoring Barrett's esophagus matters over time • How shared decision-making can help shape your care plan • How management may differ based on a patient's individual risk • What questions to ask and how to take an active role in your care Whether you've recently been diagnosed or have been living with Barrett's esophagus for years, this episode provides practical next steps and evidence-based information to help you better understand your diagnosis and move forward with confidence. This episode is part of a 4-part patient education series sponsored by Castle Biosciences and produced by Gastro Girl in collaboration with leading U.S. clinicians dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with Barrett's esophagus.

Many people living with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis assume that if symptoms improve, their disease is under control. But with inflammatory bowel disease, inflammation can sometimes continue silently, even when you feel okay. In this episode of Gastro Girl, Jacqueline Gaulin speaks with IBD expert Dr. Jessica Allegretti about what IBD may be affecting inside the body and why symptom relief is not always the same as healing. They discuss the difference between feeling better and achieving remission, why ongoing monitoring matters, how flares can develop, and how proactive care may help protect long-term health. This conversation is designed to help patients better understand what may be happening inside their bodies and feel more informed when talking with their healthcare team. This education initiative is sponsored by Merck.

After a Barrett's esophagus diagnosis, many patients ask: What happens next—and do I need treatment? In this episode, foregut surgeon Dr. Caitlin Houghton of Keck Medicine of USC explains how Barrett's esophagus is treated in the United States and how doctors work to reduce the risk of progression to esophageal cancer. In this episode, you'll learn: • How doctors decide when treatment is needed • The role of reflux control, medications, and lifestyle changes • When endoscopic eradication therapy (EET) may be recommended • When surgery may be considered • Why ongoing surveillance is important for long-term care If you or someone you love has Barrett's esophagus, chronic GERD, or long-term acid reflux, this episode provides practical, evidence-based guidance to help you better understand your options. This episode is part of a 4-part patient education series sponsored by Castle Biosciences and produced by Gastro Girl in collaboration with leading U.S. clinicians dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with Barrett's esophagus.

Preparing for a colonoscopy may not be anyone's favorite part of colorectal cancer screening, but proper colonoscopy prep is one of the most important factors in detecting precancerous polyps and colorectal cancer early. In this episode, Jacqueline Gaulin sits down with leading gastroenterologist Dr. Fola May to answer common questions about bowel preparation for colonoscopy. Why is colonoscopy prep necessary? What happens if the bowel isn't cleaned properly? Have preparation options improved over the years? And what can patients do to make the process easier? As a co-author of the latest U.S. Multi-Society Task Force recommendations on bowel preparation for colonoscopy, Dr. May explains how colonoscopy prep has evolved to become more effective and patient-friendly. She discusses lower-volume bowel prep options, updated dietary recommendations, and practical strategies to help patients achieve a high-quality prep and avoid repeat procedures. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ Why bowel preparation is essential for an effective colonoscopy ✅ How poor prep can impact polyp and cancer detection ✅ Newer low-volume colonoscopy prep options ✅ Updated diet recommendations before a colonoscopy ✅ Tips for improving your colonoscopy prep experience ✅ How proper prep helps improve colorectal cancer screening outcomes Whether you're preparing for your first colonoscopy or looking for the latest guidance on bowel preparation, this episode provides expert insights to help you feel more confident and informed. This episode is brought to you in collaboration with the American College of Gastroenterology Patient Care Committee.

If you've tried medications, diet changes, fiber supplements, or other therapies for IBS-C and still aren't feeling better, you're not alone. Many people with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) feel frustrated when symptoms persist despite treatment. But when treatments don't work, it may be time to take a closer look at what's really going on. In this episode of the Gastro Girl Podcast, Jacqueline Gaulin sits down with Dr. William D. Chey, world-renowned gastroenterologist  at the University of Michigan and President of the American College of Gastroenterology, to discuss what patients should do when IBS-C treatments fail. Dr. Chey explains why some patients continue to struggle, what conditions may be overlooked, and how to work with your healthcare provider to develop a more effective plan. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ Why IBS-C treatments may not always work as expected ✅ When it's time to rethink your diagnosis ✅ The role of pelvic floor dysfunction and other overlooked conditions ✅ Questions to ask your healthcare provider ✅ How to take the next step toward better symptom control ✅ Why you don't have to settle for ongoing symptoms Whether you're newly diagnosed or have been living with IBS-C for years, this episode offers practical insights to help you move forward with confidence. Learn more at GastroGirl.com. This episode is sponsored by Ardelyx.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recently updated its colorectal cancer screening recommendations, adding new stool-based and blood-based screening options. What's changed in the new American Cancer Society screening recommendations • New stool DNA and stool RNA screening tests • The role of blood-based cancer screening tests • Why colonoscopy remains the gold standard • Why a follow-up colonoscopy is still needed after a positive screening test • Screening recommendations for adults ages 45–75 • The rise in colorectal cancer among younger adults and what patients should know The most important takeaway? Colorectal cancer is highly preventable, and the best screening test is the one that gets completed. This episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your healthcare provider.

What exactly is Barrett's esophagus—and how do doctors determine who may be at higher risk? In Part 2 of this 4-part patient education series, leading gastroenterologist and advanced endoscopist Raman Muthusamy explains how Barrett's esophagus develops from chronic GERD and how it's diagnosed and evaluated in clinical practice in the United States. In this episode, you'll learn: ✔️ What Barrett's esophagus is ✔️ How chronic acid reflux can affect the esophagus ✔️ How Barrett's is diagnosed during endoscopy ✔️ How doctors assess risk for progression to cancer ✔️ Why early detection matters ✔️ How GI specialists guide treatment and follow-up care If you or someone you love experiences long-standing heartburn, reflux, or GERD symptoms, this episode provides trusted, expert-backed information to help you better understand Barrett's esophagus and what comes next. This episode is part of a 4-part patient education series sponsored by Castle Biosciences and produced in collaboration with leading U.S. clinicians dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with Barrett's esophagus.