The Sensitive Gut

Your "gut" is the series of organs—mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon—that transform the food you eat into the nutrients your body needs to live and to thrive. If you've ever had an upset stomach, constipation, heartburn or gas, you know how sensitive the gut can be. These "gut reactions" can be painful, disruptive, and sometimes embarrassing. Fortunately, you can do something about almost all gastrointestinal disorders and achieve a calmer, quieter coexistence with your digestive system. You can address, prevent, and treat the most common troublemakers, including acid reflux, functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, and excessive gas. The Sensitive Gut, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School, gives you strategies to prevent and treat heartburn, which is the key symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and the most common gastrointestinal malady. You'll discover which pain relievers—from Prilosec and Nexium to Zantac and Tums—are the safest and fastest-acting remedies. You'll be alerted to six diseases that can mimic the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), be briefed on new diagnostic tests and find ways to eliminate the triggers and manage this vexing condition. The Sensitive Gut will give you an empowering understanding of your digestive system, how it works, and what you can do when it acts up. The report explains the brain-gut connection and the effect stress can have on your digestive system. It shares the best ways to treat constipation without laxatives, tells you how simple mealtime changes can spare you from indigestion without forgoing the foods you love, and much more.

Your "gut" is the series of organs—mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon—that transform the food you eat into the nutrients your body needs to live and to thrive. If you've ever had an upset stomach, constipation, heartburn or gas, you know how sensitive the gut can be. These "gut reactions" can be painful, disruptive, and sometimes embarrassing. Fortunately, you can do something about almost all gastrointestinal disorders and achieve a calmer, quieter coexistence with your digestive system. You can address, prevent, and treat the most common troublemakers, including acid reflux, functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, and excessive gas. The Sensitive Gut, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School, gives you strategies to prevent and treat heartburn, which is the key symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and the most common gastrointestinal malady. You'll discover which pain relievers—from Prilosec and Nexium to Zantac and Tums—are the safest and fastest-acting remedies. You'll be alerted to six diseases that can mimic the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), be briefed on new diagnostic tests and find ways to eliminate the triggers and manage this vexing condition. The Sensitive Gut will give you an empowering understanding of your digestive system, how it works, and what you can do when it acts up. The report explains the brain-gut connection and the effect stress can have on your digestive system. It shares the best ways to treat constipation without laxatives, tells you how simple mealtime changes can spare you from indigestion without forgoing the foods you love, and much more.

Lawrence S. Friedman, M.D., is chair of the department of medicine at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Newton, Massachusetts, assistant chief of medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is the author of approximately 350 papers and chapters on all aspects of gastroenterology, and co-editor of several gastroenterology textbooks. Dr. Friedman has received the Distinguished Service Award from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the Distinguished Educator Award from the American Gastroenterological Association.