Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease caused by a reaction to gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. It is not a food intolerance or allergy, but a serious condition that causes the body’s immune system to attack its own tissues if you eat gluten. The result is damage to the…
“All in the mind” is sometimes used in a disparaging way to dismiss someone’s symptoms or, worse still, cast doubt over whether the symptoms exist at all. Yet there are clear links between stress and physical symptoms and none more so than in the case of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. IBS is a painful reality for…
Research has shown a link between ulcerative colitis and an increased risk of colon cancer. If you suffer from this inflammatory bowel disease regular screening is recommended to monitor for polyps in the colon which can become cancerous over time. Impact of chronic inflammation Ulcerative colitis is caused by chronic inflammation of the lining of the colon.…
As part of your New Year promise to yourself to get fit and healthy, maybe you have made a pledge to avoid eating gluten in the belief that this will make you healthier. If so, it might be time to think again. Gluten Free Diet – Link to type 2 diabetes Gluten has had bad…
Your liver plays a vital role in the digestion process yet not many people know much about the largest solid organ inside the body or how to look after it. What your liver does? The liver performs more than 500 vital functions in the body, including producing energy, detoxifying the blood and fighting infection. It…
Happy new year… it’s a phrase we trot out without really thinking about it. But if your body had a say, what sort of things might it be asking for to make it “happy” this new year? As gastrointestinal doctors, we deal with the outcome of many poor lifestyle choices, which can lead to both…
Bowel cancer is treatable if it is caught early. In fact, roughly nine out of 10 people will survive for at least five years if they are diagnosed and treated while the disease is in its earliest stage. Screening for bowel cancer is the most effective way of detecting the disease in its earliest stages, sometimes…
It’s a question we are often asked as gastrointestinal specialists. It is understandable that people with IBS can feel anxious about its potential impact on their relationship – it can be a bit of a passion killer if your stomach is bloated and you are affected by bouts of recurrent diarrhoea or constipation… or both. But most…
How often do you stop to think about your digestive system? Aside from when it starts to malfunction or cause pain, we’re guessing probably not that often. But, inside your tummy there is a truly magnificent system operating and it’s worth spending five minutes to read this article to find out more about the secret life…
Avoiding exposure to gluten is essential for people with coeliac disease. The condition is a lifelong autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to react to gluten. t produces a range of unpleasant symptoms including bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, tiredness, sudden weight loss and mouth ulcers. If left untreated, coeliac disease can lead to complications such as…