Digestive Health
Find helpful articles on digestive health, with tips on improving gut health, preventing issues, and managing common digestive problems for better well-being.
How to Treat the Effects of Acid Reflux on Your Throat
Key takeaways Eating cucumbers or other foods high in water content may help dilute acid that reaches your throat. Sipping a cold glass of skim milk or a lower-acid plant-based alternative may help calm throat irritation. The calcium and protein in milk may assist in counteracting reflux. Choosing smaller, more frequent meals and reducing common triggers can help minimize acid reflux over time. Typical triggers include alcohol, caffeine, carbonated drinks,…
Does Acid Reflux Cause Gas and Bloating?
Key takeaways Acid reflux does not directly create gas or bloating, but shared triggers—such as specific foods, swallowing excess air while belching, and overlapping conditions like IBS—can contribute to both. Lifestyle strategies, including dietary modifications and avoiding alcohol and smoking, along with over-the-counter treatments, may help control GERD symptoms and excessive gas. If acid reflux, bloating, or gas happens frequently, consult a doctor to determine the root cause and create…
Heartburn in Pregnancy: 11 Treatments to Put Out the Fire
WITHDRAWAL OF RANITIDINEIn April 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested that all forms of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) ranitidine (Zantac) be removed from the U.S. market. This recommendation was made because unacceptable levels of NDMA, a probable carcinogen (cancer-causing chemical), were found in some ranitidine products. If you’re prescribed ranitidine, talk with your doctor about safe alternative options before stopping the drug. If you’re taking OTC ranitidine, stop…
What Causes Acid Reflux at Night and What to Do
Key takeaways Acid reflux during the night is often worsened by lying flat, which limits gravity’s ability to move food and stomach acid efficiently through the digestive tract. Management options include over-the-counter medications, identifying and limiting trigger foods and beverages, and reducing stress with practices such as yoga and meditation. Preventive measures include elevating the head of the bed, eating smaller meals, avoiding late-night snacks, and maintaining proper posture. (img…
What to Expect from Your First Period (Menarche)
What causes menstruation? Menstruation happens as a natural outcome of puberty. During this stage of development, your body becomes physically capable of reproduction. When your menstrual cycle starts, estrogen levels rise. This hormonal increase prompts the lining of your uterus to thicken. The uterine lining builds up so it can nourish and support a fertilized egg, allowing it to grow into a pregnancy. If fertilization does not occur, your body…
Candida Yeast in Your Poop: Should You Be Concerned?
Candida is a group of yeasts that normally live in the intestines, on the skin, and on mucous membranes. Most people host some level of Candida throughout their bodies, and it is generally harmless. When Candida multiplies excessively, it can cause an infection called candidiasis. The mouth and vagina are the most frequent sites for candidiasis. Overgrowth can also happen in the intestines, which may result in visible Candida in…
Why Do Some Farts Feel Warmer Than Others?
Several factors can make your farts feel warmer than normal, including having low amounts of gas, wearing restrictive clothing, or eating certain foods. Most of the time this sensation isn’t a sign of a serious condition. (img by Shape) On average, an individual releases gas from the rectum 14 to 23 times each day. Many of these emissions are quiet and happen while you’re asleep. Others occur during waking hours…
Why Does Alcohol Make Me Bloated?
Alcohol can lead to facial puffiness and inflammation in the digestive system. Bloating is often worsened when alcoholic beverages are mixed with sugary or fizzy mixers. (img by Happitum) What is alcohol-related bloating? Have you ever woken up with a swollen face or noticed your body feels puffy after a night of drinking? Bloating is one of the most frequent effects alcohol can have on the body. Many people recognize…
How to Treat Gallstones: Home Remedies and Other Treatments
Physicians commonly suggest medications or surgical removal to handle gallstones. However, certain eating habits might lower the chance of gallstone development. Gallstones are solid formations that develop in the gallbladder. They come in two varieties: cholesterol gallstones — the most frequent type, formed from excess cholesterol pigment gallstones — formed from excess bilirubin Although surgery is frequently used to address gallstones, some people explore natural remedies. Below are natural approaches…
12 Science-Backed Benefits of Peppermint Tea and Extracts
Peppermint tea is naturally sweet and contains no caffeine. It’s been associated with multiple health perks, including aiding digestion, enhancing focus, and easing migraine discomfort. Peppermint (Mentha × piperita) is a fragrant herb from the mint family that originated as a hybrid of watermint and spearmint (1). Native to Europe and Asia, peppermint has been used for millennia for its refreshing, minty flavor and therapeutic properties. Peppermint is commonly used…
