The Gastro Girl Podcast

After a Barrett's esophagus diagnosis, many patients ask: What happens next—and do I need treatment? In this episode, foregut surgeon Dr. Caitlin Houghton of Keck Medicine of USC explains how Barrett's esophagus is treated in the United States and how doctors work to reduce the risk of progression to esophageal cancer. In this episode, you'll learn: • How doctors decide when treatment is needed •...

Preparing for a colonoscopy may not be anyone's favorite part of colorectal cancer screening, but proper colonoscopy prep is one of the most important factors in detecting precancerous polyps and colorectal cancer early. In this episode, Jacqueline Gaulin sits down with leading gastroenterologist Dr. Fola May to answer common questions about bowel preparation for colonoscopy. Why is colonoscopy pr...

If you've tried medications, diet changes, fiber supplements, or other therapies for IBS-C and still aren't feeling better, you're not alone. Many people with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) feel frustrated when symptoms persist despite treatment. But when treatments don't work, it may be time to take a closer look at what's really going on. In this episode of the Gastro Girl Po...

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recently updated its colorectal cancer screening recommendations, adding new stool-based and blood-based screening options. What's changed in the new American Cancer Society screening recommendations • New stool DNA and stool RNA screening tests • The role of blood-based cancer screening tests • Why colonoscopy remains the gold standard • Why a follow-up colonosco...

What exactly is Barrett's esophagus—and how do doctors determine who may be at higher risk? In Part 2 of this 4-part patient education series, leading gastroenterologist and advanced endoscopist Raman Muthusamy explains how Barrett's esophagus develops from chronic GERD and how it's diagnosed and evaluated in clinical practice in the United States. In this episode, you'll learn: ✔️ What Barrett's...

Why does one IBS-C treatment work for someone else—but not for you? In this episode of the Gastro Girl podcast, leading gastroenterologist Darren M. Brenner. MD, FACG,  of Northwestern Medicine, explains why treating IBS-C (irritable bowel syndrome with constipation) is not one-size-fits-all. Using a real-world patient scenario, Dr. Brenner breaks down what may actually be happening inside the bod...

What if your bowel habits aren't as healthy as you think? In this episode of Gastro Girl, we're joined by Dr. Trisha Pasricha, author of You've Been Pooping All Wrong: How to Make Your Bowel Movements a Joy. She breaks down what most people get wrong about bowel movements—and shares simple, science-backed strategies to improve comfort, regularity, and overall digestive health. From daily habits to...

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 re...

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 tim...

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 ab...

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, develo...

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...

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...

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 ho...

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...

MASH — metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (formerly known as NASH)—is a progressive form of fatty liver disease that often develops silently, without obvious symptoms. Many people don't realize their liver is being damaged until the disease has already advanced. In this episode of the Gastro Girl Podcast, host Jacqueline Gaulin is joined by Dr. Pooja Singhal, a board-certified gastro...

Fecal incontinence (FI) affects nearly 8% of adults worldwide, yet many people suffer in silence due to embarrassment, confusion, or the belief that nothing can be done. This episode is here to change that. We're joined by Dr. John William Blackett, gastroenterologist and lead author of "Fecal Incontinence in Adults: New Therapies," published in T he American Journal of Gastroenterology. Dr. Black...

Living with IBS-C isn't just about managing physical symptoms, it's also about navigating the fear, worry, and emotional toll that often come with the condition. In this powerful episode, host Jacqueline Gaulin is joined by Dr. Sarah Ballou, clinical psychologist and Director of the GI Psychology Service at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, to explore how fear shows up along the IBS-C journey...

In this follow-up to one of our most popular episodes, host Jacqueline Gaulin welcomes back Dr. Mark Pimentel, Executive Director of the Medically Associated Science and Technology (MAST) Program at Cedars-Sinai, to dive deeper into the science behind SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) and IMO (Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth). Dr. Pimentel answers listener questions and explains how th...

In this inspiring episode of the Gastro Girl Podcast, host Jacqueline Gaulin sits down with Mel, an award-winning dog enthusiast from Valrico, Florida, who has earned more than 40 American Kennel Club titles with her beloved Schnauzers. After life-changing surgery that left her with a permanent colostomy, Mel refused to let fear or stigma hold her back. She shares how she reclaimed her confidence,...

Starting a new IBS-C treatment can bring a mix of hope and uncertainty. How soon will it work? What if side effects appear? Should you keep going or call your doctor? Host Jacqueline Gaulin sits down with Dr. Brian Lacy, gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL, to answer the real questions patients ask when starting treatment. In this episode, we discuss: • What patients can realisti...

Hemorrhoids are one of the most common—and misunderstood—digestive conditions, yet many patients still suffer in silence. In this candid, patient-focused episode, host Jacqueline Gaulin talks with Mitch Guttenplan, MD, FACS, a general surgeon and Medical Director for the CRH O'Regan System, to break the stigma and share clear, evidence-based guidance about hemorrhoids. Dr. Guttenplan explains the...

Gravity keeps us grounded—but it also shapes our bodies, minds, and even our gut health in surprising ways. In this fascinating episode, Dr. Brennan Spiegel, Director of Health Services Research at Cedars-Sinai and author of PULL: The Science of Gravity and How It Shapes Our Health and Happiness, joins Jacqueline Gaulin, host of the Gastro Girl Podcast, to explore how gravity influences digestion,...

When a child has trouble eating, gaining weight, or explaining discomfort while swallowing, it can be heartbreaking for parents and confusing for the child. These may be early signs of Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) — a chronic inflammatory condition of the esophagus that affects how food moves through the digestive tract. In this episode, pediatric gastroenterologist Dr. Joshua B. Wechsler from N...

What happens when physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs) truly work as a team in managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)? In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Jennifer Seminerio, Director of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Associate Professor of Medicine, and Megan Pearce, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, from the AdventHealth IBD Clinic in Orlando, FL. Together, they share how collaborative APP/MD r...