If you've been struggling with symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C)—or have ever felt like your symptoms weren't being taken seriously—this episode is for you.

Makenna shares her personal journey of living with IBS-C, from first experiencing symptoms in high school to spending years searching for answers while being told there wasn't really anything wrong. Her experience ultimately helped shape her professional path: she went on to earn her PhD, with research focused on IBS.

In this conversation, Makenna opens up about the physical and emotional impact of living with IBS-C and the challenges patients can face when trying to explain symptoms that aren't always visible. We also explore the gut-brain connection, how IBS-C symptoms can overlap with gynecologic issues, lifestyle factors that may affect symptoms, and why communicating clearly with your healthcare provider matters.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Common signs and symptoms associated with IBS-C

• How IBS-C symptoms can overlap with gynecologic issues

• What the gut-brain connection means for people living with IBS-C

• Lifestyle factors that may affect symptoms

• How to more effectively describe your symptoms to your healthcare provider

• Why finding an individualized approach to managing IBS-C matters

IBS-C can significantly affect daily life and quality of life, but there are treatment and management options available. Whether you're newly experiencing symptoms or have been living with IBS-C for years, this conversation can help you better understand the condition and prepare for more productive conversations with your healthcare team.

This episode was produced by Gastro Girl with support from Ardelyx.

For many people living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), understanding what remission actually means can be confusing. If your symptoms improve, does that mean your IBD is under control? And if you're in remission, is the disease gone for good?

In Part 2 of our conversation with IBD expert Dr. Jessica Allegretti, we explore what remission means in IBD and why feeling better is only one part of the picture.

We discuss:

• Clinical remission versus endoscopic remission

• What mucosal healing means

• The treat-to-target approach in IBD care

• Why modern treatment goals focus on long-term disease control

• How controlling inflammation may help reduce the risk of future complications

Understanding both how you feel and what may be happening inside your body can help you have more informed conversations with your healthcare team and take an active role in managing your IBD.

Subscribe to Gastro Girl for more expert-led conversations designed to help you navigate digestive health with confidence.

This educational initiative is sponsored by Merck.

A diagnosis of cirrhosis can feel overwhelming, but understanding what's happening in your liver—and knowing what you can do to protect your health—can make a meaningful difference.

In this episode, Gastro Girl host Jacqueline Gaulin is joined by Jennifer Lai, MD, MBA, a hepatologist at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), for a practical conversation about living with cirrhosis and reducing the risk of complications.

Dr. Lai explains what cirrhosis is, why ongoing monitoring and regular medical care are so important, and how nutrition, physical activity, and maintaining muscle can play an important role in overall health. She also discusses complications people with cirrhosis should be aware of, warning signs that may require medical attention, and how patients can work with their healthcare team to stay as healthy as possible.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What cirrhosis is and what it means for your liver
• Why regular monitoring and follow-up care matter
• How nutrition and muscle health can affect people with cirrhosis
• Common complications of cirrhosis and what to watch for
• Practical steps you can take to protect your health
• How to stay actively involved in your care

Whether you've recently been diagnosed with cirrhosis, have been living with chronic liver disease for some time, or are caring for someone with cirrhosis, this conversation will help you better understand the condition, know what to expect, and feel more prepared to talk with your healthcare team.

This patient education episode was produced by Gastro Girl in collaboration with the American College of Gastroenterology Patient Care Committee.