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Microplastics Are Harming the Guts of Seabirds -- and Maybe Humans, Too

Microplastic pollution is altering the gut microbiomes of wild seabirds and that could be a warning sign for humans, researchers report.

Scientists from McGill University in Montreal, along with colleagues from around the world, found that tiny bits of plastic present in the gastrointestinal system of seabirds have modified the gut's microbiome. The plastics are also reducing levels of ad...

More Evidence That Obesity Raises Odds for Gastrointestinal Cancers

Maintaining a healthy weight may be important for reducing the risk of gastrointestinal cancer, a new study suggests.

The research adds to the evidence that excess weight and weight increases in adulthood increase the risk for colon and other gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.

“In a time when obesity rates are rising globally and 70% of the U.S. population alone is considered overwe...

Crohn's Disease: What It Is, Symptoms & Treatment

Crohn's disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease, has no cure. But there are many treatments, specific to type, and it is possible to keep the symptoms under control.

A gastroenterologist offers some tips for those newly diagnosed with the condition.

“It's important to get a proper diagnosis and see an experienced inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) provider, preferably at a ce...

Four Signs That a Young Adult Might Have Colon Cancer

Four symptoms could provide early warning of colon cancer in younger adults.

Being aware of these red flags could lead to earlier detection and diagnosis for those under age 50, said researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

The telltale symptoms are abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, diarrhea and iron deficiency anemia.

The death rate from colon canc...

FDA Approves First Pill for Fecal Transplant Therapy

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved the first pill form of fecal microbiota -- similar to what's known as fecal transplant therapy -- to treat the bacterial infection Clostridioides difficile, one of the most common and deadly infections found in health care settings.

The drug, Vowst, is approved to prevent recurrence of C. difficile in people who...

Digestive Organs Vary Widely Between People, Study Finds

People are often reminded that they are their own unique person — and a new study says that's particularly true of the digestive tract.

Dissections of a few dozen deceased individuals revealed striking differences in gastrointestinal anatomy, even among a small group of people.

Some livers were larger, some intestines and colons were longer. Crucial discrepancies were observed bet...

Stress, Stomach Pain: Diarrhea, Constipation, Ulcers & More

You may be struggling with stomach pain and digestive distress without understanding why, thinking it might be something you ate.

Can stress cause stomach pain?

Stress, especially chronic stress, can indeed increase your risk for gastrointestinal (GI) problems.

“Stress and anxiety are common causes of stomach pain and other GI symptoms,”

  • Shirley Eichenberger-Archer HealthDay Reporter
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  • April 7, 2023
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  • Parts of Intestinal Scope Devices Can Break Off Inside Patients

    A medical device used to diagnose and treat pancreatic and bile duct disease is getting attention from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after pieces have fallen off and remained in patients' bodies.

    Previously, the FDA had expressed

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • March 24, 2023
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  • Bile Duct Cancer: Awareness, Funding Needed to Fight This Silent Killer

    Lawyer, entrepreneur and avid athlete Mark Clements participated in the 2005 St. George Marathon in Utah, but ongoing stomach pains made finishing the event a struggle.

    “He was having some stomach pain,” recalled his sister Stacie Lindsey. “My dad had had ulcers, and so he thought that he had ulcers.”

    After finishing the marathon, Clements, then 38, went straight in to see h...

    COVID Raises Odds for Long-Term Gastro Problems

    Add gastrointestinal problems to the long list of lingering conditions that can follow COVID-19.

    New research has found that people who have had COVID-19 are at an increased risk of gastrointestinal disorders within a year of their infection — including liver problems, acute pancreatitis, irritable bowel sy...

    Irritable Bowel Syndrome Takes Big Toll on Mental Health

    When Dr. Yezaz Ghouri sees patients with the cramping, abdominal pain and diarrhea that are hallmark symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), he'll typically ask how life's going.

    More often than not, his patients say they are experiencing stress in their lives.

    Now, Ghouri's team has establishe...

    Could High Laxative Usage Raise the Odds for Dementia?

    Taking laxatives regularly to ease constipation may up your chances of developing dementia down the road, a new study suggests.

    This risk is even higher among folks who use multiple types of laxatives or osmotic laxatives, which work by drawing water into stool.

    Previous research has linked other over-the-counter drugs, including non-prescription sleep aids and allergy medicati...

    Gallbladder & Bile Duct Cancers: Rare, Silent and Deadly. Know the Signs

    Bile duct and gallbladder cancers develop in organs deep inside the body, making them difficult to detect.

    Knowing the signs of these rare cancers may help with earlier detection.

    Gallbladder cancer and bile duct cancer are two separate diseases, according to Dr. Miral Sadaria Grandhi

    Chronic Pancreatitis: Surgery Can Help, But Healthy Lifestyle Is Key

    Many people who have surgery for chronic pancreatitis continue to have health struggles in the years afterward — with some dying at a young age, a new study finds.

    The study, done at one U.S. medical center, is the largest to look at overall survival in th...

    Gut Microbiome May Play Role in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

    Researchers believe they have found a link between lower bacterial diversity in the intestine's microbiome and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

    Normally, “more than 10,000 species of microorganism live in the human intestine,” noted study co-author Dr. Jung Ok Shim, a profes...

    Don't Ignore Your Acid Reflux, Expert Warns

    If you have frequent heartburn or think you may have acid reflux disease, see an expert before you suffer serious complications, one expert warns.

    "Gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD] is when you get acid and chemical damage to the lining of the esophagus," said

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • January 16, 2023
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  • What Are Hernias, and How Are They Treated?

    Moving a heavy object or even coughing can result in a medical condition known as a hernia.

    While it's common, many people don't know what a hernia is, according to an expert at Penn State Health, who offered details on causes, symptoms and treatment.

    “While we typically associate heavy lifting or strenuous activity with the development of a hernia, other congenital abdominal wall...

    Just Being Healthy Might Prevent Many Cases of Crohn's, Colitis

    Folks who follow a handful of healthy habits can dramatically reduce their risk of developing an inflammatory bowel disease, a new study reports.

    Adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can prevent up to 60% of cases of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, according to research published Dec. 6 in the journal

  • Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
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  • December 8, 2022
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  • Monitoring Toilet Sounds Could Help Spot Disease

    A small toilet-based sound sensor that can tell the difference between peeing, pooping and diarrhea may one day help prevent cholera outbreaks.

    "The hope is that this sensor, which is small in footprint and noninvasive in approach, could be deployed to areas where cholera outbreaks are a persistent risk," said researcher

    Gastro Docs Say 'Trust Your Gut,' Seek Help for Digestive Issues

    A leading group of U.S. tummy doctors wants Americans to get used to talking about their bowel symptoms, at least with their physicians.

    People are hesitant to discuss digestive trouble with a medical professional, with one in three saying they would mention it only if their doctor brought it up first, according to the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA).

    That's even with...

    Listeria Outbreak Tied to Soft Cheeses Sold at Albertsons, Whole Foods

    U.S. health officials have warned that numerous brands of brie and camembert cheese may contain Listeria, a potentially dangerous bacteria.

    Old Europe Cheese Inc. has

  • By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • October 3, 2022
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  • More Cases in E. Coli Outbreak Tied to Wendy's Restaurant Lettuce

    A total of 97 people across six states have now been made ill by E. coli, in an outbreak possibly tied to contaminated lettuce used in sandwiches sold at Wendy's restaurants.

    "Since the last update on August 25, 2022, 13 more illnesses have been reported to CDC," the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and P...

    What Do You Know About Your Risk for Hernia?

    Could you be at risk for a hernia?

    One expert gives the lowdown on hernias, who is most at risk for them, and how they are typically treated.

    Dr. Harvey Rainville, a general surgeon at Hackensack Meridian Mountains...

    84 People Now Sickened in E. Coli Outbreak Tied to Wendy's Restaurant Lettuce

    FRIDAY, Aug 26, 2022 (HealthDay News) - - A total of 84 people across four states have now been made ill by E. coli, in an outbreak possibly tied to contaminated lettuce used in sandwiches sold at Wendy's restaurants.

    "Since the last update on August 19, 2022, 47 more illnesses have been reported to CDC,...

    Fecal Transplant Treatments Could Transmit Monkeypox, FDA Warns

    Fecal transplant treatments could infect patients with monkeypox, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned.

    Since May, an outbreak of monkeypox has been spreading in multiple countries, including the United States. Nearly 16,000 people in the United States have already been infected with...

    Wendy's Pulls Lettuce From Sandwiches Over Possible Link to E. Coli Outbreak

    MONDAY, Aug 22, 2022 (HealthDay News) - - Amid an E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least 37 people in four states, the Wendy's fast food chain has removed romaine lettuce from its sandwiches in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

    "A specific food has not yet been confirmed as the source of this outbreak...

    Pious Parasites: Medieval Monks Battled Nasty Gut Germs

    Medieval monks were much more wormy than average folks, a new archaeological analysis has revealed.

    Those living in medieval Cambridge were nearly twice as likely to be infected by intestinal parasites as city dwellers, researchers found.

    Even though Augustinian friars had access t...

    CDC Investigating E. Coli Outbreak in Michigan, Ohio

    U.S. health officials said Wednesday that they are investigating an outbreak of E. coli that has infected 29 people in Michigan and Ohio.

    The outbreak has led to nine hospitalizations but no deaths, and investigators have not yet found a food source responsible for sickening people. They did note that the numbers are likel...

    Wildlife Park's 'Splash Pad' Source of Severe Gastro Infections in Kids

    Splash pads -- those shallow pools of wet, cooling summertime fun for kids -- can also be sources of nasty gastro infections for youngsters who swallow water during their play.

    That's the take-home lesson from a new analysis of outbreaks of two bacterial illnesses, shigellosis and

  • By Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
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  • August 4, 2022
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  • Hot Stuff: Spicy Foods Can't Harm You, Can They?

    Spicy food challenges are all the rage these days, but can munching red hot peppers and sizzling hot sauces harm you?

    One nutrition expert from University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center in Ohio suggests that while it may burn your tongue at the dinner table and trigger some gastrointestinal distress as it travels through your body, it could actually help improve your lifelong health....

    Many Very Ill After Eating Daily Harvest Lentil Crumbles; FDA Investigating

    Fallout is mounting for the food delivery service Daily Harvest, which has voluntarily recalled a frozen food product suspected of sickening hundreds of customers in at least 26 states.

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating. And an Oklahoma woman has sued...

    Will You Be Depositing at the 'Stool Bank' Someday?

    Banking samples of your own poop in your youth and then transplanting them back when you're old might be a key to healthy aging, scientists suggest.

    Stool samples frozen and stored when a person is vital and healthy could potentially rejuvenate bacteria in the gut that's become damaged due to aging, disease or antibiotic use, according to an opinion piece published June 30 in the journal ...

    Beer Might Do a Man's 'Microbiome' Good

    Putting a new spin on the term "beer gut," a small study suggests that a bottle a day may do a man's gut bacteria some good.

    In a clinical trial of 19 healthy men, researchers found that a daily bottle of beer - alcoholic or non-alcoholic - changed the composition of the men's gut bacteria over four weeks...

    1 Dead, 27 Hospitalized in U.S. Salmonella Outbreak Tied to Poultry

    One person has died and 27 people have been hospitalized in a multi-state salmonella outbreak linked to backyard poultry, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

    Even if they appear healthy and clean, backyard poultry such as chickens can carry salmonella. The bacteria is easily spread in areas where poultry live and roam, the CDC explained in an

  • Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporter
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  • June 14, 2022
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  • A Child's Pet Dog May Shield Them From Crohn's Disease

    Add a lower risk of Crohn's disease to the many benefits of having a dog during childhood, a new study suggests.

    Sorry, cat lovers, researchers didn't find a similar benefit for you.

    "We did not see the same results with cats, though we are still trying to determine why," said senior author Williams Turpin, a research associate with Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto and the University...

    How Stress and Gastro Issues Affect Kids With Autism

    For some children with autism, there's a connection between gastrointestinal problems and stress, anxiety and social withdrawal, a new study suggests.

    The findings could help efforts to develop personalized treatments for autism patients with gastrointestinal problems such as stomach pain and constipation, the University of Missouri researchers suggested.

    Such problems tend to occur...

    Coronavirus Found in Human Feces Up to 7 Months After Infection

    COVID-19 is mainly known as a respiratory ailment, but a new study suggests the coronavirus can infect your intestinal tract for weeks and months after you've cleared the bug from your lungs.

    In the study about 1 out of 7 COVID patients continued to shed the virus' genetic remnants in their feces at least four months after their initial diagnosis, long after they've stopped shedding the v...

    Use Antibiotics Sparingly After Birth to Preserve Newborn's 'Microbiome'

    New research suggests that doctors should be cautious about giving newborns antibiotics because they can upset a baby's gut microbiome -- the balance of bacteria in their digestive systems.

    "We were surprised with the magnitude and duration of the effects of broad spectrum anti...

    In a First, a Robot Performs Laparoscopic Surgery on Pig Without Human Help

    A robot performed challenging keyhole surgery on pigs without any human help in what could be a major step toward fully automated surgery on people.

    "Our findings show that we can automate one of the most intricate and delicate tasks in surgery: the reconnection of two ends of an intestine," said senior study author Axel Krieger. He is an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at J...

    Don't Let Heartburn Ruin Your Holiday Feast

    Like Mr. Grinch, heartburn can crush your holiday, but there are easy ways to prevent it.

    "Heartburn is caused by acidic stomach content moving into the esophagus, or gullet, which is much less resistant to acid," said Dr. James East, a gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London. "This results in irritation and damage to the lining of the esophagus, literally a burn, that caus...

    Stool Samples From the 1980s Hold Clues to Fighting HIV Today

    What do all the microbes living rent-free in your gut have to do with disease risk? Perhaps a lot.

    A groundbreaking analysis of decades-old stool and blood samples from the early AIDS epidemic suggests that men who had high levels of inflammation-causing bacteria in their intestin...

    Gastro Symptoms of Menopause May Vary by Race

    When a woman's periods begin to slow down and finally stop, digestive problems often pick up -- and new research suggests race and ethnicity play a role.

    With menopause, levels of estrogen decrease, while cortisol levels increase, triggering an adrenaline boost that changes digestive function. It can set off symptoms such as bloating, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, indige...

    Younger Age Doesn't Boost Survival With Advanced Colon Cancer

    Younger patients with advanced colon cancer don't live longer than older patients, but it's unclear why, researchers say.

    The authors of the new study said they were surprised by the findings, which come as colon cancer rates are on the rise among young Americans.

    "As a group, younger patients are more physically active and have higher performance status and are better able to perfo...

    Antidepressants Plus Common Painkillers May Raise Bleeding Risk

    Antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a mainstay of depression treatment, but a new study warns that taking common painkillers alongside SSRIs may raise the chances for intestinal bleeding.

    In a review of 10 published studies involving 6,000 patients, researchers found that those taking SSRIs (such as Celexa, Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft) and pain medicati...

    1 in 10 People Have Gastro Issues After a Meal

    If you often have a stomachache after eating, you're not alone, a new survey finds. One in 10 people experience frequent meal-related pain.

    This includes 13% of women and 9% of men, and is most common in 18- to 28-year-olds (15%), according to an online survey of more than 54,000 people in 26 countries.

    "The take home message from this study is that people who experience meal-relate...

    Kids With Autism Have Unique Gut 'Microbiomes'

    Children with autism differ socially and developmentally from their typically developing peers. Now, researchers say there are also differences in their array of healthy gut bacteria or "microbiome."

    The findings may lead to earlier treatment for kids with an autism spectrum disorder, suggested the authors of a new small study.

    The gut microbiome can vary according to where people l...

    Fermented Foods Could Boost Your Microbiome

    Fermented foods may seem like just another health fad, but a small trial suggests they can help strike a healthier balance in the body's gut bacteria.

    In a study of 36 people, researchers found that those randomly assigned to eat plenty of fermented foods, such as yogurt, kimchi and kombucha, showed an increase in their gut "microbiome" diversity.

    The microbiome refers to the vast c...

    Some COVID Survivors Can't Regain Weight Lost During Illness

    Some people severely ill with COVID-19 may struggle to regain lost weight for months afterward, a new study shows.

    While COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory illness, it's become clear that the infection can wreak havoc on the body in many ways. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms -- like nausea, diarrhea and even bleeding in the digestive tract -- are among the manifestations.

    In some ca...

    New Drug Shows Real Promise Against Celiac Disease

    An experimental drug can prevent intestinal damage caused by celiac disease, an early trial has found -- raising hopes that it could become the first medication for the serious digestive disorder.

    With celiac disease, the immune system attacks the lining of the small intestine when a genetically susceptible person eats gluten -- a protein found in wheat, rye and barley.

    The symptoms...

    What Diet Is Most Likely to Help Ease Crohn's Disease?

    People who have Crohn's disease often seek to ease their symptoms by changing what they eat, and new research suggests the Mediterranean diet may be their best bet.

    The study evaluated one of the commonly used diets for Crohn's disease, known as the specific carbohydrate diet (SCD), comparing it with the Mediterranean diet, which is sometimes recommended by doctors for its heart health be...