IBS + Original Articles

You’ve got the symptoms: Abdominal pain, bloating, changes in bowel habits. But how do you know if it's actually IBS? The most common irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms-abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhea, bloating or constipation-are the uncomfortable and inconvenient gastrointestinal (GI) complaints that bring many patients to their doctor, says Steven Lamm, MD, author of No Guts, No Glory (Basic Health Publications, 2012).

An estimated 10 to 20 percent of the population is living with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). What may be worse: they may also be living with the mistaken notion that it's all in their head. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) has traditionally been difficult-to-define. Usually composed of a cluster of complaints-bloating, abdominal cramping, gas, diarrhea and constipation-that come and go. But new research points to several triggers of the problem (not just a single cause) and an article in the New England Journal of Medicine stated a review of data found that IBS symptoms are definitely not "all in the head.

Do chew your food slowly. Do eat a vinegar-dressed salad after your meal. Plus three more stomach-smart ideas. Though the process is the same, everyone digests food differently. Advice that works for one person doesn't always work for another. But, what about those tips you may have heard over and over. Do they work? We asked Bernadette Armiento, holistic health counselor and founder of ShiningLifeNutrition.

Health experts suspected bacteria played a role in Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but the research was inconclusive. Until now. A researcher from Cedars-Sinai has used bacterial cultures to link IBS to an overgrowth of bacteria in the gut. The study, published in the May 2012 issue of Digestive Diseases and Science, supports previous findings from clinical trials that antibiotics are an effective treatment for IBS.

Abdominal Distension? Bloating? These IBS symptoms are similar, but there are differences you should know. Bloating is usually described as a feeling of fullness and pressure in the abdomen. More women than men complain of this symptom. For women, the most obvious cause of bloat is water-retention during the menstrual cycle. But bloating may also be caused by gas build-up in the stomach and intestines.

We separate fact from fiction for these common digestive misconceptions. 1. Spicy foods cause ulcers. Ulcers—open sores located in the stomach (gastric ulcers) or small intestine (duodenal ulcers)—are not caused by certain foods, according to the experts at the American College of Gastroenterology. Though certain foods can irritate an ulcer that is already there, they don't cause the sore.

With a wealth of antioxidants, green tea is used for weight loss, skin care, and for anti-aging. Is it too good to be true? Research shows the benefits of green tea may range from rejuvenating older skin to warding off cancer. It contains a cornucopia of antioxidants and minerals such as magnesium, zinc, calcium, iron, and vitamins C, D, and K. Green Tea for Weight Loss You are right to be suspicious of the green tea "miracle" weight loss formulas, but there is some truth to the fad.

When it comes to Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which foods are most likely to bring on bouts of belly bloat and gassiness? "Eating should be effortless," says Steven Lamm, M.D., house doctor on ABC's The View and author of the forthcoming book No Guts, No Glory (April 2012). "You shouldn't have to feel bloated or gassy or [experience] any discomfort after you eat. You should be able to eat normally, digest your food, and feel well.

Although there's no known cure for Crohn's disease, these tips may help patients to manage their symptoms. Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects an estimated 500,000 Americans. The disease is characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, and symptoms may include frequent diarrhea, gastrointestinal bleeding, anal tears, and bowel obstructions.

These friendly bacteria can do wonders for your digestive system. Learn how your body can start reaping the benefits. The literal translation of the word probiotics is "for life." But just what are probiotics, how are they helpful in maintaining digestive health, and how can they be included in daily diets? Probiotics Defined The normal human digestive tract contains over 1,000 types of bacteria that reduce the growth of harmful bacteria and help promote a healthy digestive system.

Typically thought of as a remedy for depression, some experts are studying the effects of talk therapy on chronic pain. Could talking it out help relieve your pain? According to recent studies, it might. It might also make living with chronic pain less challenging and debilitating. Pain is a subjective sensation that's experienced both in your head and in your body. Your brain incorporates your mood, state of health, anxiety level and other emotional components while processing pain sensations and transmitting messages about how to handle it.

A not-so-new therapy for treating Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infection and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may bring relief through a not-so-pleasant-sounding treatment. Fecal microbiota transplants, also called stool transplants, have been around since the late 1950s, but have had a hard time catching on. That may soon change. At the American College of Gastroenterology annual meeting, researchers reported that the therapy may successfully treat recurring C.

If diet or lifestyle habits are at the root of your bloating or gas overload, there are steps you can take during the day to avoid having problems at night. Everyone produces gas while digesting food and, once formed, and that gas has to go somewhere. Throughout the day and night, normal amounts of gas pass through your body unnoticed, but any build-up of excess gas usually makes itself known. If it passes through your mouth, you burp.

Research shows that as many as 60 percent of IBS patients also have fibromyalgia and as many as 70 percent of fibromyalgia patients have IBS. So what’s the connection? Get the answer here. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and fibromyalgia have a lot in common. Both conditions involve increased sensitivity to pain, can be debilitating and affect more women than men. What's more, research shows that as many as 60 percent of IBS patients also have fibromyalgia and as many as 70 percent of fibromyalgia patients have IBS.

This transparent gel that oozes from the pulp of aloe vera leaves has traditionally been used to treat wounds and skin conditions. But new research suggests that an extract from this succulent, perennial plant may also offer relief from IBS symptoms. Although aloe vera extract is often touted as a medicinal aid for digestive ailments such as heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), so far there is no conclusive scientific evidence to back up these claims. But aloe vera has shown some promise for other digestive problems.

Some physicians call ovarian cancer the silent killer because of its vague, non-specific symptoms. So on the surface, it sounds like regular screening would save lives. But it's not that simple. When detected early, oncologists can treat most cancers successfully and patients generally have a good long-term prognosis. However, women do not usually learn they have ovarian cancer until it has reached stage III or IV and treatment is often ineffective.

Although dietary fiber is probably best known as a remedy to prevent or relieve constipation, it provides other important health benefits as well, including lowering your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Although dietary fiber is probably best known as a remedy to prevent or relieve constipation, it also provides other important health benefits as well, including lowering your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Dietary fiber includes all parts of plant foods that your body can't digest or absorb.

Digestive problems tend to disguise themselves as other conditions, and as a result, it can be difficult to get an accurate diagnosis. But your health depends on it. Digestive problems tend to disguise themselves as other conditions, and as a result, it can be difficult to get an accurate diagnosis. But your health depends on it. Celiac Disease Perhaps the most often misdiagnosed chronic digestive problem is celiac disease, which affects as many as 1 in 133 people in the U.

Eating a well-balanced diet, drinking plenty of water each day, and refraining from doing things that can worsen digestive problems could be all you need to ease your digestive woes. If you occasionally suffer from mild heartburn, bloating, or constipation, you're not alone. Approximately 70 million Americans are plagued by digestive disorders. And it's easy to see why. Your digestive system is a highly sophisticated process that converts foods into smaller molecules of nutrients before they can be absorbed into the bloodstream and carried to cells throughout your body.

A common antibiotic that treats travelers' diarrhea appears to have a benefit for those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Here’s what studies have found. Rifaximin (Xifaxan), a common antibiotic in the treatment of travelers' diarrhea, appears to have a benefit for those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), according to two studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine. In the studies, 1,200 IBS sufferers took rifaximin or a placebo (sugar pill) three times a day for two weeks.

Because one of the key components of this diet includes eating lots of fiber-rich foods such as whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables, following the Mediterranean diet may keep your digestive system running smoothly. Following a Mediterranean diet has been shown to benefit heart health as well as reduce the incidence of cancer, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's diseases. Because one of the key components of this diet includes eating lots of whole grains, legumes (beans), fruits, and vegetables-which are all fiber-rich-following the Mediterranean diet may also keep your digestive system running smoothly.

This condition is the result of damage to the intestinal lining, which allows larger-than-normal particles such as undigested food, microbes, wastes, and toxins to get into the lymphatic system or bloodstream, triggering an immune response that causes inflammation. Although leaky gut syndrome (also known as intestinal hypermeability) isn't generally recognized by conventional physicians as a real medical condition, there is increasing evidence that the problem is genuine. Leaky gut syndrome is the result of damage to the intestinal lining.

Fiber supplements have become all the rage, helping weight-conscious people to feel fuller so they eat less. And fiber is also an efficient stool softener and eases irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)and constipation. But keep in mind: It’s possible to misuse fiber supplements. In the last few years, fiber supplements have become all the rage, helping weight-conscious people to feel fuller so they eat less. Fiber is also an efficient stool softener, and sufferers of digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic constipation have used it to help manage their symptoms.

Can diet, stress-reduction, and change of lifestyle be our only hope to remedy IBS or can charcoal capsules be the next cure? Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects more than 55 million Americans-mostly women-and can cause a vast array of symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, constipation, and excessive gas. One potential IBS remedy that's gained some recent attention is charcoal.

Juicing is a practical way to get in your vitamins and minerals in a tasty and easy-to-digest way. See if this will be what it takes to finally get the amount of fruits and vegetables your body needs to function at its best. Getting plenty of fruits and vegetables into your diet is critical to maintain good health, and juicing can provide you with a quick and easy way to get your daily requirement of the vitamins and nutrients found in fruits and vegetables. Other pluses include the juice you prepare yourself will taste better than its store-bought counterpart because it doesn't need to be heat-treated to kill germs to make it safe for storage.

The holiday season is a joyful time, but the anxiety of facing crowded malls, planning family festivities, and making the rounds at parties can cause an already sensitive digestive system to act up. Here's how to regain your calm when the stressors just keep on coming. The holiday season is a joyful time, but the mental and physical stress of facing crowded malls, planning family festivities, and making the rounds at parties can make an already sensitive digestive system caused by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) act up.

Facing the upcoming holiday celebrations and the inevitable food frenzy can be difficult if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Facing the upcoming holiday celebrations and the inevitable food frenzy they provoke can be difficult if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Irritable bowel syndrome is a common disorder that affects the large intestine (or colon)-and more than 20 percent of U.

While it may be embarrassing to talk about, don't hesitate to tell your doctor about any symptoms of bowel incontinence you may be experiencing. Good treatments are available to improve, if not completely correct, the problem. If you suffer from bowel incontinence, you are not alone. According to the American College of Gastroenterology, over 5.5 million Americans have the condition. Bowel incontinence, also called fecal incontinence, is the inability to control your bowel movements, causing your stool (feces) to leak from the rectum uncontrollably.

Massage therapy may be helpful in relieving stress, which can disrupt the digestive process and aggravate IBS symptoms. It may also help alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with other digestive disorders. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, approximately 60 to 70 million Americans suffer from digestive diseases. Digestive problems can range from common complaints like indigestion and flatulence (gas) to life-threatening diseases such as colorectal cancer.

Every day your body performs a digestive feat: seamlessly breaking down the foods you eat into small molecules of nutrients that are then absorbed into the blood and carried to cells throughout your body, providing you with the energy you need to perform. Every day your body performs a digestive feat: seamlessly breaking down the foods you eat into small molecules of nutrients that are then absorbed into the blood and carried to cells throughout your body, providing you with the energy you need to live a full life.

Scientists have found that broccoli and plantain fibers may significantly prevent E.coli movement within the bowels. You've heard the troubling statistics. According to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, as many as 1.4 million Americans suffer from inflammatory bowel disorder (IBD), with that number evenly split between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

A new type of camera is making it possible for doctors to get a better look at colorectal polyps and other lesions that may be missed with the current colonoscope alone. It's the one test nearly every one dreads, but one that could save your life: Getting a colorectal screening. A colonoscopy is a procedure that is used to see inside the colon and rectum. The procedure is done by inserting a thin, flexible, lighted tube (colonoscope), which has a small camera mounted on it, into the colon.

Learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatments. If you suffer from an inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease, you may be at increased risk for developing a small tear in the lining of the anus called a fissure, often caused by the passage of hard, dry bowel movements, diarrhea or inflammation.

Already a nutritional superstar, Vitamin K may be even more beneficial than we think. Find out how to get your daily dose. The role of Vitamin K in helping the blood clot normally has been well established. Now, there is mounting evidence that Vitamin K is also crucial in improving bone health with studies showing that not only does Vitamin K increase bone mineral density in people with osteoporosis, it also reduces the number of fractures associated with osteoporosis, including hip fractures.

New research is suggesting a strong correlation between Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and sugar intolerance. So what does this mean for you and your chances for finding digestive relief? According to the American Journal of Gastroenterology, people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are more likely to test positive for food sensitivities than people without the condition. And now there's new research showing a strong correlation between IBS and sugar intolerance.

People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are all too familiar with its symptoms: Cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. But for people with diarrhea-predominant IBS, or IBS-D, diarrhea is the primary symptom. Here, tips to cope. People affected by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are all too familiar with its symptoms: cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and diarrhea-a sudden urgent need to have a bowel movement that results in loose and watery stools. People with a primary symptom of diarrhea have what's called diarrhea-predominant IBS or IBS-D.

Most women are all too familiar with the moodiness, cravings, cramps, and bloating that coincide with their menstrual cycle. But for those suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), digestive symptoms tend to get worse during this time. Find out the reasons as well as what can be done to ease your symptoms. Most women are all too familiar with the moodiness, food cravings, cramps and bloating that accompany their monthly menstrual cycle. But for many women suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn's disease, their symptoms appear to be worse.

Short bowel syndrome refers to a group of problems associated with the poor absorption of nutrients that usually occurs in people who have had half or more of their small intestine surgically removed. So can people with this short bowel syndrome live normal lives? Short bowel syndrome refers to a group of problems associated with the poor absorption of nutrients that usually occurs in people who have had half or more of their small intestine surgically removed. Patients are usually considered to have short bowel syndrome when less than 100 to 150 centimeters-three to five feet-of functioning bowel remains following surgery, less than one-quarter of normal.

Diarrhea. Abdominal pain. Fever. Dehydration. If you've ever suffered from something called pouchitis, you're all too familiar with these symptoms. Here, learn how to manage this painful condition. Pouchitis is an inflammation of the lining of an internal pouch (small bowel pocket) created in ulcerative colitis sufferers to hold bowel movements after they have had part of their colon and rectum removed to treat their disorder. There are two types of pouches, the ileoanal (pull-through) pouch and the continent ileostomy (Koch) pouch, which surgeons create using part of the patient's small intestine.

Bloating is never pleasant, but uncomfortable and irritating. Not only is bloating caused by foods and stress, but can also be induced by hormones. Find out how this happens and what you can do to prevent it. Abdominal bloating-that uncomfortable feeling of tightness or fullness in the stomach caused by either a buildup of gas or fluid retention-is very common affecting about 30 percent of people. Bloating is especially common and bothersome in sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome and is the result of gas trapped inside the bowel.

It may be embarrassing to talk about gas, but how much gas is too much is important to keep in mind. Find out when is it normal and healthy and when does it indicate that your stomach health is at risk. Although many people are often too embarrassed to talk about gas, nearly everyone wonders how much gas is too much? Everyone has gas and eliminates it by either burping or passing it through the rectum. It's a perfectly normal bodily function. And while many people think they pass too much gas, on average most people generate between one and four pints of gas daily and pass gas between 12 and 25 times a day.

While living with IBS can be challenging, it doesn't have to prevent you from enjoying an active lifestyle. After all, you may not be looking to run a marathon or travel the world. You just want to live a normal life. Here, we show you how. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects up to 55 million Americans (mostly women) and can be physically debilitating, causing sudden cramping, abdominal pain, bloating gas, diarrhea, and constipation. Although there's no cure for the disorder, there are effective treatments available.

The colonoscopy exam may have just gotten easier. In the new "virtual" colonoscopy, images of the colon and rectum are taken via a CT scan, which the doctor can then examine for polyps or other precancerous changes. Colorectal cancer (of the colon or rectum) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., although when caught early, colon cancer is highly curable.  The American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines call for colon screening to begin at age 50 for both men and women-or earlier if there's a history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease or a strong family history of colon cancer.

A new study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology is showing that shift workers, especially those working in rotating shifts, are at a significantly higher risk for developing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and stomach pain than workers in a standard nine-to-five time schedule. A new study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology is showing that shift workers, especially those working in rotating shifts, are at a significantly higher risk for developing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and stomach pain than workers in a standard nine-to-five time schedule.

Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in New York City have identified genes linked to ulcerative colitis, one of the most common forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBS). Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in New York City have identified genes linked to ulcerative colitis, one of the most common forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBS)-the general name used for diseases causing inflammation in the small intestine and colon.

If you have IBS, you're probably constantly on the lookout for new treatments. Well, you may be disheartened to hear the results of a recent study. For people looking for new therapies to find relief from the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the results from a recent study has some disappointing news. The study, published in the journal Gastroenterology, is the first to investigate the effectiveness of the herbal supplement St.

Scientists are saying that those with IBD may be 16 times more likely to suffer from dangerous blood clots. People with active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are up to 16 times more likely to have a potentially life-threatening blood clot than those in the general population, according to a British study recently published in the journal, The Lancet. The two most common forms of IBD are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, both of which may cause a number of health problems, including pain, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, weight loss, and intestinal bleeding.

A recent study may be shedding light on a new remedy for IBD. A probiotic called Bacillus polyfermenticus, which has shown to have anti-cancer effects, may also have benefits in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a new study shows. The two-phase study-one involving live mice and one involving human cells- was published in the American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology.

An analysis of more than a dozen of trials suggests that peppermint oil may be the key to relief. An analysis of dozens of trials that looked at the effectiveness of peppermint oil, fiber and antispasmodic drugs in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), found that these older remedies were better at reducing the symptoms of IBS than newer medications.

Research is showing that exercise can also help relieve some of the painful symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Everyone knows that engaging in a regular exercise program can provide overall health benefits. Now, new research is showing that exercise can also help relieve some of the painful symptoms, especially constipation, associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

If you have IBS, you know you're well-aware that your stomach isn't like everyone else's. Now, research is showing that your brain may be a little bit different, too. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects as many as one in five Americans, making it one of the most common ailments diagnosed by doctors. It's more common in women than men; and in about 50 percent of the population, it strikes before the age of 35. While symptoms can vary from person to person, the hallmarks of the disorder frequently include abdominal pain, bloating, cramping, and fluctuations between diarrhea and constipation.

Researchers have discovered that those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk of developing conditions such as arthritis, chronic renal, disease, and even multiple sclerosis. If you have one chronic inflammatory condition, are you more prone to develop others? According to two studies published in the journal of the American Gastroenterological Association, Gastroenterology, the answer may be yes. The separate British and...

Studies are showing that this mind-body technique may ease the cramping and bloating associated with IBS. Can simply changing your thoughts relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome? New research is showing that using mind-body techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)-a type of psychotherapy-and hypnosis are having a positive effect in reducing the cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea and/or constipation associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

This microbe could pose a problem for your condition. Our bodies are teeming with friendly microorganisms, especially our digestive tract. In a healthy person, the number of good microbes, which protect the body from harm, far exceeds bad microbes, such as bacteria and viruses. When something disrupts this delicate balance, however, it causes problems.

Although they are different diseases, Celiac and Crohn’s share similar symptoms and characteristics. Both celiac disease and Crohn's are autoimmune diseases that primarily affect the intestines. In an autoimmune disease, the body's immune system over-reacts and attacks cells in the body as if they were foreign objects, such as bacteria or other toxins.

Learn about the important link between the three. Our bodies need enough stored energy to go for a jog, but no one wants spaghetti sloshing around in their stomach when they’re bouncing on the pavement. Jogging, though, is a high-impact exercise that jostles the stomach. While you don’t want to exercise on a full stomach, you do want to exercise to help stave off digestive problems stemming from food.

Don't turn to meds just yet; these natural alternatives may do the trick. Digestive diseases are no fun. They prevent you from drinking regular milk or lying down after a meal. They send you to the toilet every hour or keep you from it for days. Whether they’re inherited, rare, common, or uncommon, they can be embarrassing to discuss and a hassle on your daily life.

Environment, eating habits, and genetics all play a key role. There are risk factors associated with every disease, and Crohn’s is no exception. You can’t change the genetic hand that nature deals you, or your family history. Recognizing you are at greater risk for developing Crohn’s (or any disease) is invaluable.

Early studies of the effectiveness of fish oil in maintaining remission in Crohn's patients have been quite promising. Fish oil has anti-inflammatory properties because of the omega-3 fatty acids it contains—and Crohn's is an inflammatory disease. Crohn’s is characterized by alternating periods of flare-ups and remission. The first goal of intervention is to control symptoms and bring the disease into remission. Once in remission, the goal of treatment is to keep the patient in remission for as long as possible.

Find out if surgery may help ease your symptoms. Surgery is one step in the treatment program for patients who have Crohn’s disease. In fact, approximately 70 percent of Crohn’s patients will eventually need surgery. Surgery often initiates remission, providing relief from symptoms, and improves quality of life.

The incidence of Crohn’s in children under 16 is increasing. But why? If your child has Crohn’s disease, he or she is not alone. Approximately 140,000 people under the age of eight are affected this disease. And unfortunately, the incidence of Crohn’s in children under 16 is increasing. In fact, teens are more likely to develop Crohn’s disease than any other age group; about sixteen out of every 100,000 teens will be diagnosed with Crohn’s.

With some careful preparation, you can enjoy a successful and stress-free time away from home. Whether you are taking a much-anticipated family vacation or an essential business trip, don’t let Crohn’s disease get in the way. The key to traveling successfully is preparation. Here are a few things to consider: Take a supply of medicine.

Vitamins, minerals and other key nutrients must be included Crohn’s disease affects the intestines, which absorb food that produces energy for your body. When inflamed, it cannot adequately perform this essential function. Furthermore, when patients aren’t feeling well, they may not eat enough to support their body’s increased nutritional needs.

Approximately 50 percent of pregnant women will experience heartburn. Learn how to find relief. Approximately 50 percent of pregnant women will experience heartburn (most common during the second and third trimester.) The reason: As a woman's level of progesterone increases during pregnancy, her lower esophageal sphincter relaxes. This allows food and acid to reflux back into the esophagus, thus creating the feeling of heartburn or indigestion.

Dining out doesn't have to be difficult. Just follow these simple tips. Sharing meals is at the heart of most social activities with family and friends. If you have Crohn's disease, you know firsthand that dining out can be difficult. However, there's no reason your social life should take a back seat. The key to dining out successfully is to plan carefully and be mindful of what you eat.

Learn how relaxation can help you better manage your condition. We can trace the belief in a mind-body wellness connection all the way back to ancient Greece. Today, the medical literature is mixed when it comes to the relationship between stress and illness. We know for sure that the underlying cause of Crohn's disease is biological-it's an inflammation of the digestive tract.

Follow these steps to help ease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects up to 20 percent of the general population, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). And for those living with it, the condition can be uncomfortable, inconvenient, and even embarrassing.

Irritable bowel syndrome affects up to 20 percent of the U.S. adult population, and the disorder has no known cause. Here, a look at IBS, from symptoms to treatment. Imagine not being able to make dinner plans with your friends or not eating your favorite foods for fear that it will send you running for the bathroom. For people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), these scenarios may sound all too familiar.

Your bellyaching over your bellyache may be caused by some of your favorite foods. Find out which foods are common offenders. Stomachaches, indigestion, gas, bellyache, agita, heartburn, upset stomach: Whatever you call it, digestive problems can be inconvenient and sometimes downright painful. Indigestion can be caused by a variety of reasons, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a physical condition in which stomach acid flows backward up into the esophagus.

Learn about the symptoms and methods of diagnosing this gastrointestinal disorder. Every year, an estimated 30,000 Americans are diagnosed with Crohn's disease. However, many people are uninformed about the disease and, as a result, may go undiagnosed. Here, find out about the symptoms, diagnostic methods, and treatments of Crohn's disease, so you can have a better understanding of the condition.

From head to toe, we explore symptoms and solutions for some of the most awkward health conditions. At one time or another, an embarrassing malady is bound to fall on everyone. Although some are more debilitating than others, all are at least conquerable, if not curable, with a combination of diligence, patience, and a doctor's supervision. Here, we...