Digestive Health Archive

Dentists can help detect health problems far beyond the mouth. These conditions include oral cancer, diabetes, sleep apnea, osteoporosis, acid reflux, and eating disorders. People can maximize their dental check-ups by sharing health updates and voicing health concerns. Only two-thirds of Americans visited the dentist in the past year, and many avoid dental visits due to fear or embarrassment. There are many strategies to help people tamp down these emotions, including music, relaxation, and medication.

Belching is a natural bodily reaction that serves as a protective mechanism against the stomach getting overinflated from swallowing too much air. Eating and drinking too fast and consuming carbonated beverages can cause excess air intake, so addressing these issues can help reduce excessive belching. Seek medical care if belching becomes frequent and causes discomfort, as it could be a sign of a digestive disorder.

A 2024 study found that older women with urinary incontinence experienced significant improvements in symptoms after engaging in low-impact yoga or stretching and strengthening exercises three times a week for three months.

Pap tests, the mainstay screening method to detect cervical cancer, are uncomfortable for some women. In mid-2024, the FDA approved a new self-swab test that can detect human papillomavirus, which causes most cases of cervical cancer. The self-swab test collects cells from the vaginal wall instead of the cervix. Clinicians guide women on how to perform the test in a doctor's office. The self-swab method offers women several benefits, including comfort, accuracy, and potentially greater access to screening.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects roughly equal numbers of women and men. But the condition imposes a disproportionate burden on women-shaping symptoms, affecting reproductive decisions, and increasing risks of ominous downstream health effects. IBD can ramp up symptoms during menstruation, cause painful sex, and raise risks for iron-deficiency anemia and osteoporosis. Plus, some drugs used for IBD may raise the risk for cervical cancer.

People with new gastrointestinal problems should consider if symptoms indicate a chronic or serious condition. If symptoms don't include bloody stools, fever, loss of bowel control, severe pain, or severe dehydration, doctors advise trying home remedies first. For example, heartburn might respond to over-the-counter medications and lifestyle changes (such as avoiding certain foods, eating smaller meals, and staying upright after eating), and then seeking help if symptoms don't resolve within a few weeks.