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.
What Is IBS Brain Fog and What Can You Do About It?
Irritable bowel syndrome can impact more than just your digestive tract. Many people with this condition also notice episodes of brain fog. Here’s how to restore your concentration. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder of unknown origin that produces uncomfortable digestive symptoms without causing structural harm. If you have IBS, you’re likely familiar with gastrointestinal disruptions that range from mildly annoying to severely disruptive, including constipation, flatulence,…
What Are Digestive Enzymes and How Do They Work?
Key takeaways Digestive enzymes are produced throughout the digestive tract — in the mouth, stomach, and small intestine — and help dismantle food so nutrients can be absorbed. When the body can’t generate sufficient digestive enzymes, digestion can be impaired and malnutrition may result. In such cases, taking enzyme replacement medication before meals can assist with processing food. Certain foods naturally contain enzymes and may support digestion, including papaya, sauerkraut,…
What Are the Symptoms, Types, and Treatments for Polyps?
Polyps are tissue overgrowths that usually appear as tiny, flat nodules or small stalked projections resembling mushrooms. They are commonly small, typically under half an inch in diameter. While most are noncancerous, some can progress to cancer. Uterine and colon polyps are the most frequently seen, but polyps can also form in areas such as the: ear canal cervix stomach nose throat The majority of polyps are benign, meaning they…
What’s the Difference Between Hemorrhoids and Polyps?
Although both conditions can lead to overlapping symptoms, hemorrhoids and polyps are fundamentally different in their origin and where they occur. Hemorrhoids are enlarged veins located in the lower rectum and around the anus, usually resulting from straining or increased pressure in that region. Polyps are abnormal tissue protrusions on the lining of the colon or rectum that have the potential to progress to colorectal cancer. They are often associated…
Does Mounjaro Cause Sulfur Burps?
Mounjaro is a prescription medication for type 2 diabetes and is sometimes used off-label for weight loss. It can lead to digestive symptoms like sulfur burps because it slows stomach emptying, which encourages gut bacteria to produce hydrogen sulfide gas. Although gastrointestinal complaints such as nausea, diarrhea, and belching are common with Mounjaro, specific information on sulfur burps is scarce. Clinical data show burping occurs more often with Mounjaro than…
5 Homemade Ayurvedic Tonics That Help Calm Your Stomach ASAP
Indigestion, bloating, acid reflux, diarrhea, or constipation? Ayurveda suggests your pantry may hold the solution. In Ayurvedic thought, agni — the digestive fire — is regarded as the wellspring of life. It acts as the guardian of health and symbolizes the body’s metabolic functions. Everything you consume is viewed as an offering to agni — and food is the most immediate, powerful offering of all. Your diet can fuel and…
15 High Fiber Foods to Help with Hemorrhoids
Adding more high-fiber foods — such as whole grains, beans, and cruciferous vegetables — to your meals may help prevent or ease hemorrhoids. The soreness, tenderness, bleeding, and relentless itching that come with hemorrhoids can be extremely distressing. Also called piles, these swollen veins around the anus and lower rectum can form clots or protrude if not managed, possibly requiring surgical intervention. A key guideline to help prevent flare-ups is…
What Is a Perianal Hematoma and How Is It Treated?
What is a perianal hematoma? A perianal hematoma is an accumulation of blood within the tissues surrounding the anus, typically resulting from a burst or bleeding vein. Not every perianal hematoma needs medical intervention, but some require evacuation during a straightforward in-office procedure. If a clot has developed, a clinician will need to extract it. Perianal hematomas are often confused with prolapsed hemorrhoids because their signs overlap. A prolapsed hemorrhoid…
Suppositories for Hemorrhoids: Do They Work?
Suppositories and hemorrhoids Hemorrhoids are enlarged blood vessels located in and around the anus and rectum. They can swell and become inflamed, resulting in pain and discomfort. Suppositories are solid medicinal forms intended to be placed into the rectum, where they dissolve and are absorbed through the rectal lining. They typically consist of a fatty base such as oil or cream combined with an active drug. Over-the-counter (OTC) suppositories are…
Essential Oils for Hemorrhoids
Overview Hemorrhoids are enlarged veins located around the rectum and anus. Those that form inside the rectum are called internal hemorrhoids, while ones that are visible or palpable outside the rectum are external hemorrhoids. Almost three out of four adults will develop hemorrhoids at some time. Certain factors, such as pregnancy and excess body weight, raise the likelihood of hemorrhoids, though sometimes the cause is unclear. Hemorrhoids can lead to:…
