Gastro Girl

Registered Dietitian Emily Haller explains the 3 phases of the Low FODMAP diet and how it may help patients to manage their IBS symptoms by identifying specific foods that are more likely to trigger those symptoms. Emily also details the importance of working with a registered dietitian to replace trigger foods with alternatives to still maintain a healthy and nutrient dense diet, which she lays out in her 3-part course available for purchase on education.giondemand.com.

Avoiding certain foods that trigger GI symptoms is a common way to manage a variety of conditions like IBS, IBD, and EoE. Obese patients and those with fatty liver disease who need to follow a specific regimen like the Mediterranean Diet also need to avoid certain foods. Yes, eliminating foods is challenging for all patients. But trying to stay true to cultural or religious beliefs while following a gut-friendly diet can be even harder. We’ve invited back one of our favorite registered dietitians, Neha Shah, who understands how important food is to culture, religion and social gatherings. With first-hand experience as a vegetarian and GI nutrition expert, Neha explains the ways patients can work with their providers on adapting gut-friendly diets that are aligned with their cultural or religious beliefs. Neha’s positive and open approach aims to help patients realize that following a gut-friendly diet doesn’t mean they can’t stay true to their culture.

Dr. Megan Riehl returns to explain the differences between a GI Psychologist and other mental health services, how chronic digestive conditions can add to our feelings of stress, anxiety, depression, and how patients can start the process of reaching out for help. Plus Dr. Riehl highlights additional resources available on education.giondemand.com to help patients better understand the impact of behavioral health on GI conditions.

Some people with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis can also experience symptoms common in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) like gas, bloating, constipation, or abdominal pain. This episode aims to help patients understand the overlap between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and IBS from both physician and patient perspective.

Dr. Katie A. Dunleavy from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, joins us to explain how and why the medical components of IBD and IBS can cross paths and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, which includes pharmacological, dietary, behavioral health and other interventions. We’ll hear first-hand from Tina Aswani Omprakash, Patient Thought Leader & Founder of Own Your Crohn's, who shares her personal health journey and offers tips for communicating with healthcare providers and living with a chronic illness.

Johannah Ruddy, COO and Executive Director of The Rome Foundation, and co-founder of Tuesday Night IBS, shares her patient perspective and highlights the role of cognitive behavioral therapy.