Butts & Guts: A Cleveland Clinic Digestive Health Podcast

Do you have trouble swallowing or feel like food gets stuck when you eat? In this episode of Butts & Guts, Dr. Fady Asslo, gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic Florida, explores dysphagia, a common swallowing disorder. He discusses dysphagia symptoms (including choking and coughing while eating), causes, the latest treatment options and when swallowing difficulties may be a sign of a more se...

Is fibermaxxing just a social media trend, or is dietary fiber truly the key to better gut health? In this episode of Butts & Guts, Cleveland Clinic Registered Dietitian Julia Zumpano separates fact from hype, covering the gut microbiome, fiber-rich foods, fiber supplements, bloating, constipation, IBS and why most Americans aren't getting nearly enough fiber to support their digestive he...

Explore how Shubha Bhat, PharmD, an clinical pharmacist at Cleveland Clinic, helps inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients navigate a complex and evolving landscape of treatments, from traditional medications to advanced biologics and specialty therapies. Learn how pharmacists play a critical role by improving access, guiding treatment decisions and helping patients achieve better outcomes.

Dr. Robert Naples, general surgeon for the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic, joins the Butts & Guts podcast to break down exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). He discusses who is most at risk, current treatment options, the importance of early detection and why it can be so difficult to diagnose this often misunderstood condition.

Intestinal transplants are saving lives, and the field has never been more advanced. Masato Fujiki, MD, Surgical and Program Director of the Intestinal Transplant Program at Cleveland Clinic, breaks down why rejection rates have dropped dramatically, and how transplant oncology is opening doors for cancer patients.

Chronic pelvic pain affects millions of people, but its deep connection to digestive health is often overlooked. Dr. Ashley Gubbels, Director of the Center for Endometriosis and Chronic Pelvic Pain at Cleveland Clinic, joins the Butts & Guts podcast to explore how conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, endometriosis, and gut microbiome imbalances can interact with and amplify pelvic pain. L...

In this episode of Butts & Guts, Kristin Louden, an Obesity Medicine nurse practitioner at Cleveland Clinic, cuts through the noise surrounding GLP-1 weight loss medications. She clears up common myths from social media, discusses the results patients can realistically expect and shares what other options are available if GLP-1 medicines aren’t a good fit.

Dr. Alejandro Pita, director of Living Donor Liver Transplantation at Cleveland Clinic's Transplant Center, joins Butts & Guts to talk about advancements in living donor liver transplants. He covers new innovations in the field, the growing role of robotics, qualifications for becoming a living donor and the benefits of receiving a liver from a living donor.

Cleveland Clinic colorectal surgeon Dr. Anna Spivak returns to the Butts & Guts podcast to break down everything you need to know about rectal prolapse. Dr. Spivak discusses warning signs to watch for, how it’s diagnosed, when it’s time to see a doctor and available treatment options. Listen to learn how you can reduce your risk of rectal prolapse.

Dr. Michael Valente, colorectal surgeon at Cleveland Clinic, joins this episode of Butts & Guts to discuss advances in rectal cancer care. He explores the key differences between rectal and colon cancer, why rectal cancer requires a unique clinical approach, and the current treatment options available for rectal cancer patients. Listen to learn why early screening and detection can make all th...

Dr. Joseph Trunzo, colorectal surgeon at Cleveland Clinic, joins this episode of Butts & Guts to share key strategies for reducing your risk of colorectal cancer. He discusses the importance of early screening and detection, lifestyle modifications, knowing your family history, and how to identify symptoms of colorectal cancer. Join us to learn about the latest advancements in treatment, and w...

At age 43, Tim Beckner was a healthy young father and husband.  After a mild case of diverticulitis, he scheduled a colonoscopy at his doctor's recommendation. Tim was shocked by the results of the screening. He had colorectal cancer, even though he had no symptoms of the disease. Tim joins Dr. Steele and his colorectal surgeon, Dr. Ajaratu (AJ) Keshinro on this episode of Butts & Guts to...

Menopause can bring many changes to your body, including your digestive health. Cleveland Clinic Ob/Gyn, Dr. Catherine Caponero, joins the Butts & Guts podcast to explain why and how menopause (and perimenopause) often causes digestive issues like bloating, constipation, heartburn, food sensitivity and more. She also discusses helpful tips for feeling better during this transition.

Dr. Anthony de Buck, Section Head of IBD for the Department of Colorectal Surgery at Cleveland Clinic, joins Butts & Guts to discuss the latest surgical advances for treating Crohn's disease. Dr. de Buck explains when surgery might be needed, what new techniques are available and how these improvements help patients recover faster with better outcomes. Listen to learn what’s on the horizo...

On this episode of Butts & Guts, Cleveland Clinic gastroenterologist, Carole Macaron, MD, discusses a new tool designed to calculate the risk of early onset colorectal cancer, helping identify those who may develop the disease before age 45. Dr. Macaron explains how this Cleveland Clinic-developed risk predictor works, and why early detection is crucial in combating the rising rates of colorec...

Dr. Matthew Peebles, a general surgeon for the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic, discusses incidental adrenal nodules (usually discovered by accident) and why many people have them without knowing. Listen to learn more about incidental adrenal nodule symptoms, risk factors, which nodules are potentially dangerous and when treatment might be necessary.

Dr. Cara King, section head of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery and Medical Gynecology at Cleveland Clinic, joins this episode of Butts & Guts to explore the relationship between gut health and endometriosis. She discusses why improving your gut health may help reduce symptoms and explains why endometriosis is so underdiagnosed and misunderstood.

Cleveland Clinic Florida gastroenterologist, Dr. Roberto Gonzalez, joins the Butts & Guts podcast to explore Barrett's Esophagus, a condition where chronic acid reflux causes changes to the esophageal lining that can increase cancer risk. Listen in as he discusses the warning signs, why early detection matters, and the latest treatment options that can help patients manage this condition...

Cleveland Clinic dietitian, Julia Zumpano, joins the Butts & Guts podcast to share expert tips on eating healthy for the holidays without sacrificing flavor or the joy of seasonal favorites. Learn how to balance indulgence with healthy choices and make simple swaps to keep your nutrition goals in check this holiday season.

Dr. Tilak Shah is an interventional endoscopist and medical director of the Pancreas Center at Cleveland Clinic Florida. He joins this episode of Butts & Guts to discuss pancreatic cysts. Listen to learn more about what causes pancreatic cysts, how they are diagnosed and treated, and what types have the potential of turning into cancer.

Pregnancy brings many changes to your body, including your digestive health. Cleveland Clinic Ob/Gyn, Dr. Erica Newlin, joins this episode of the Butts & Guts podcast to explain why and how pregnancy often causes heartburn, constipation, hemorrhoids and more. Listen in to learn helpful tips for feeling more comfortable during pregnancy.

What is chronic acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and what causes it? Join Cleveland Clinic Florida gastroenterologist Jeffrey Steiner, MD, as he discusses, causes, symptoms, treatment options, prevention and the risks of leaving chronic acid reflux untreated.

Food Fear in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can lead to poor nutrition, restrictive eating, worsened gut health, stress and anxiety. Madison Simons, PsyD, a gastrointestinal (GI) psychologist for the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Cleveland Clinic, joins the Butts & Guts podcast to explore food fear, why it happens to IBD patients and ways it can be...

Daphne Spyropoulos, PhD, a gastrointestinal (GI) psychologist in the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Cleveland Clinic, joins this episode of the Butts and Guts podcast to discuss the psychological impacts of having GI disorders, particularly those unique to women. Listen to learn why women are at a higher risk of mental health issues when it comes their digestive condit...

Dr. Ajaratu (AJ) Keshinro, colorectal surgeon at Cleveland Clinic, joins this episode of Butts & Guts to share updates in immunotherapy as a treatment for colorectal cancer. She discusses how these treatments reactivate the immune system against cancer cells and what sets them apart from other cancer treatments. Join us to get the scoop on the latest research and what it means for the future o...