How often should you poop? Once a day? Twice a day? Every other day? There is no single number that defines a “normal” bowel habit for everyone. Some healthy people have bowel movements several times a day, while others may go only a few times a week. What matters is not just how often you … Read more
If you’re trying to eat more fiber, you don’t necessarily need a special food. In fact, one of the easiest ways to get more fiber is to look at the foods you already eat and make a few simple swaps. Add berries to breakfast. Choose oatmeal instead of a refined cereal. Keep the skin on … Read more
Fiber is one of those nutrients you hear about constantly. “Eat more fiber.” “Fiber is good for your gut.” But what does fiber actually do once it reaches your digestive system? The answer is more interesting than simply “it helps you poop.” Some types of fiber add bulk to stool and help it move through … Read more
Sometimes constipation isn’t about how often you poop. You may go to the bathroom regularly but still deal with small, hard stools that take a lot of effort to pass. You may feel like you need to push harder than usual, or like the stool is simply too dry to come out comfortably. So why … Read more
Constipation can be surprisingly confusing. You may be eating relatively well, drinking water, and still find yourself sitting on the toilet longer than usual. Sometimes the problem is simply hard stool. Other times, you may have a bowel movement but still feel like you haven’t completely emptied your bowels. So why does constipation happen? The … Read more
You eat a bowl of spicy noodles or a plate of spicy food, and a few minutes later, your chest starts burning. Was it the chili? If you often get heartburn after spicy food, you may have already decided that you need to avoid anything hot and spicy. But there is an important distinction here. … Read more
Have you ever finished a meal and then noticed a burning feeling rising from your chest toward your throat? Maybe it happens after a large dinner. Maybe coffee triggers it. Or perhaps you feel fine during the day but suddenly get heartburn when you lie down at night. Occasional heartburn is common. But if it … Read more
You finish a meal, and instead of feeling satisfied, your stomach starts cramping. A few minutes or hours later, you suddenly need to use the bathroom. If this happens repeatedly, it is natural to wonder: “Why does eating make my stomach hurt and cause diarrhea?” The answer depends on what you ate, how soon the … Read more
You eat a meal, and a few hours later your stomach feels unusually full, tight, or swollen. You may start wondering: “Could something be wrong with my gut bacteria?” The answer is more complicated than simply saying “bad bacteria cause bloating.” Your gut is home to trillions of microorganisms, collectively known as the gut microbiome. … Read more
You eat a certain food, and a few hours later your stomach feels swollen, tight, or uncomfortable. So you start wondering: “Am I allergic to this food?” Not necessarily. Food intolerance and food allergy are two very different problems, even though they can sometimes seem similar. And when the main symptom is bloating, food intolerance … Read more