Marketing OK'd for Device to Help Reduce IBS Symptoms in Adolescents

TUESDAY, June 11, 2019 -- The IB-Stim has received marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as the first medical device used to help alleviate functional abdominal pain in 11- to 18-year-old patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the agency announced Friday.

The prescription-only device is composed of a small single-use electrical nerve stimulator placed behind the patient's ear. A battery-powered chip in the stimulator emits low-frequency electrical pulses to continuously stimulate certain cranial nerve branches. The stimulator is replaced after five days, and patients can use the device for up to three consecutive weeks in combination with other IBS therapies.

Yogurt Might Help Men Avoid Colon Cancer: Study

TUESDAY, June 18, 2019 -- Yogurt is a healthy food, and it may also be a cancer fighter, a new study suggests.

Men who had two or more servings of yogurt a week had a 26% lower risk of developing precancerous growths in their colon, a new study reports. Researchers didn't find the same cancer-fighting benefit for women, however.

Often Feel Bloated? One Ingredient May Be to Blame

WEDNESDAY, July 3, 2019 -- If you often feel bloated after a meal, don't be too quick to blame high-fiber foods. The real culprit might surprise you.

Your gut may be rebelling because you're eating too much salt, a new study suggests.

Heartburn Drugs Again Tied to Fatal Risks

THURSDAY, June 6, 2019 -- People who use common heartburn drugs for months to years may face heightened risks of dying from heart disease, kidney failure or stomach cancer, a new study suggests.

The study included more than 200,000 U.S. veterans. It's the latest to raise concerns over drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). They include prescription and over-the-counter drugs like Prilosec (omeprazole), Prevacid (lansoprazole) and Nexium (esomeprazole). And they rank among the top-selling medications in the United States.

Could You Have a Sensitive Gut?

WEDNESDAY, May 29, 2019 -- If you've ever wondered why emotional distress causes stomach cramps or a mad dash to the bathroom, know that there's a direct line of communication that runs from your brain to your digestive tract.

It's called the enteric nervous system, and it can have a powerful effect.