IBS-C bloating can feel constant—but why does it happen, and what actually helps?
If you're living with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C), bloating is often one of the most frustrating symptoms.

In this episode of Gastro Girl, leading gastroenterologist Dr. Brian Lacy (Mayo Clinic Jacksonville) explains the real causes of bloating in IBS-C and what patients need to know to find relief.

• Why bloating is so common in IBS-C

• What's happening in your gut when you feel bloated

• The role of constipation in driving bloating

• Common myths about IBS-C and bloating

• Treatment options that may help relieve symptoms

• Why a personalized approach is key to managing IBS-C

Dr. Lacy also breaks down what different therapies can (and can't) do—and how to work with your healthcare provider to find the right approach.

IBS-C bloating is complex—but there are evidence-based ways to manage it.

This episode is part of an educational program brought to you with support from Ardelyx.

Does it fee like food gets stuck when you swallow? Or like swallowing takes more effort than it should?

These symptoms are often dismissed—but they may be signs of Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), a condition that frequently goes undiagnosed for years.

In this episode of Gastro Girl, Jacqueline Gaulin sits down with Dr. Neil D. Parikh to break down what these symptoms really mean—and when it's time to take action.

In this episode:

• Why food may feel like it's getting stuck

• The difference between reflux and something more

• Early warning signs many people overlook

• When swallowing problems need medical evaluation

• How EoE is diagnosed and why timing matters

If you've ever adjusted how you eat, avoided certain foods, or felt like swallowing just isn't right—this episode will help you connect the dots.

Produced by Gastro Girl, a trusted digestive health education platform and official patient education partner of the American College of Gastroenterology.

This educational initiative was developed with support from Takeda.

Barrett's esophagus can develop silently in people with chronic acid reflux (GERD)—and many don't realize their risk until after diagnosis.

In this episode of Gastro Girl, Robin shares her powerful, real-life journey from ongoing reflux symptoms to a diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus—and how that moment changed everything.

Like many patients, Robin faced confusion, fear, and unanswered questions about what her diagnosis meant and what to do next. After learning more about Barrett's esophagus, including risk factors, monitoring, and emerging tools like TissueCypher, she felt empowered to take a more active role in her care and have informed conversations with her healthcare team.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What Barrett's esophagus is and how it relates to GERD

• Common symptoms and warning signs patients often overlook

• What a diagnosis means for cancer risk and monitoring

• How patient education can transform fear into action

• Why self-advocacy matters in digestive health care

Robin's story is a reminder that knowledge can change your path—and your outcomes.

If you experience chronic heartburn or reflux, this episode offers important insights to help guide your next conversation with your doctor.

This educational series is supported by Castle Biosciences.
Robin's story reflects her personal experience. Gastro Girl provides evidence-based information to support informed patient-provider conversations and does not offer medical advice.

Colonoscopy is one of the most effective tools for preventing colorectal cancer—but it's not the only screening option. So how do you know when to get screened, which test to choose, and what to do next if results come back abnormal?

Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, yet many people delay screening due to confusion or uncertainty.

In this Gastro Girl Podcast episode, developed in collaboration with the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Patient Care Committee, we're joined by leading gastroenterologist Dr. Aasma Shaukat (NYU Langone Health) and member of the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer.

Dr. Shaukat breaks down colorectal cancer screening in a clear, practical way so you can make informed decisions and take the right next steps with confidence.

• When to start colorectal cancer screening—and who should start earlier

• Why colorectal cancer is rising in younger adults

• How family history affects your screening plan

• Colonoscopy vs stool-based tests—what's the difference

• What abnormal or incomplete results actually mean

• Why follow-up testing is critical to prevention

• How to advocate for the care you nee

Early detection saves lives. Completing colorectal cancer screening—including follow-up after abnormal results—can prevent cancer before it starts.

This episode is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider about your individual care.

Visit GastroGirl.com or download the Ask Gastro Girl app for evidence-based digestive health guidance you can trust.

For years, Samantha adapted quietly. She chewed longer, sipped water with every bite, avoided certain foods, and assumed the discomfort was just reflux.

It wasn't.

In this patient voice episode, Samantha shares the moment she realized something more serious was happening — and how that journey led to a diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).

She opens up about the subtle symptoms many people overlook, the daily adjustments she made without realizing it, and what finally pushed her to seek answers.

If swallowing sometimes feels harder than it should, this story may sound familiar.

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider regarding your symptoms or condition.

This educational initiative was developed with support from Takeda.

Bloating is one of the most common digestive complaints but also one of the most misunderstood. Many people experience frequent bloating without knowing what's causing it, whether it's normal, or when it may signal something more serious.

In this episode of the Gastro Girl Podcast, host Jacqueline Gaulin talks with gastroenterologist David J. Cangemi from the Mayo Clinic to unpack the real reasons behind bloating and what your digestive system may be trying to tell you.

Together, they discuss:

• The difference between occasional bloating and chronic bloating
• Common causes including diet, IBS, and gut-brain disorders
• How constipation and motility issues contribute to bloating
• When bloating may be linked to conditions like IBS, food intolerances, or SIBO
• Warning signs that should prompt medical evaluation
• Practical, evidence-based strategies to safely reduce bloating

If bloating is affecting your daily comfort or quality of life, this episode offers trusted, physician-guided insights to help you better understand your symptoms and know when to seek care.

This episode is produced in collaboration with the American College of Gastroenterology Patient Care Committee.

Auto-brewery syndrome (ABS), sometimes called gut fermentation syndrome, is one of the most misunderstood conditions in digestive health. Patients can experience real symptoms of alcohol intoxication—even when they haven't consumed alcohol—often leading to years of misdiagnosis, stigma, and confusion.

In this episode, we explore groundbreaking research published in Nature Microbiology examining how specific gut microbes may produce ethanol inside the body and contribute to auto-brewery syndrome.

Host Jacqueline Gaulin, founder of Gastro Girl, is joined by researcher and co-author Barbara Cordell to break down:

• What auto-brewery syndrome is and how it affects patients
• Why this condition has historically been difficult to diagnose
• What new microbiome research reveals about microbial ethanol production
• How this science may help validate patient experiences
• What clinicians and patients should know moving forward

This evidence-based, patient-focused conversation sheds light on a condition that has long been misunderstood—and offers hope for clearer recognition, research, and support.

Chronic heartburn and GERD are often brushed off as everyday issues—but for some patients, long-term reflux can quietly progress to Barrett's esophagus, the only known precursor to esophageal cancer.

In Part 1 of this 4-part U.S.-focused patient education series, foregut surgeon Dr. Dan Lister, Founder of the Arkansas Heartburn Treatment Center, explains how reflux disease can evolve over time and why early recognition matters.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How chronic GERD can progress silently

• Why Barrett's esophagus matters—even when symptoms improve or disappear

• Key warning signs patients should never ignore

• How Barrett's is detected and risk is assessed in the U.S.

• Treatment approaches that may help reduce cancer risk

Whether you've lived with reflux for years or are newly diagnosed, this episode provides clear, evidence-based guidance to help you take reflux seriously—and take action.

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.