A new study may have pinpointed the spinal pathways that carry gut pain to the brain, opening the door to more precise treatments for IBS and IBD. This breakthrough could offer hope for patients living with chronic gut pain and limited therapy options.

For women with IBD, pregnancy has long been defined by uncertainty—fear of flares, medication safety, and outcomes for their babies. That’s why the first-ever global guidelines for pregnancy in IBD are so groundbreaking. Some key takeaways I want to highlight:

Medical students often view IBS as “less real” and harder to treat than IBD, biases that deepen with training. Since physician perceptions shape care, we must intervene early with education that frames IBS as legitimate and models compassionate, evidence-based care.

Even with advances in biologics and small molecules, about 12% of Crohn’s patients who undergo a second surgery still need a third within five years. To me, this data reinforces the need for proactive, personalized postoperative care to improve long-term outcomes. @medscape.com

Today is World Patient Safety Day, a reminder that safety builds trust. Clear communication, team training, smart tools, and patient engagement all reduce errors and improve outcomes. Every action counts in creating care where patients feel truly seen, heard, and safe.

New research shows online ACT therapy for IBD boosts quality of life and lowers Crohn’s activity. While both ACT and CBT-informed programs help with anxiety, stress, and fatigue, ACT offers added benefits, highlighting the value of integrating psychological care into IBD treatment.

It takes just 56 seconds to transform a patient’s experience. That's why at UNM Hospital, the Commit to Sit program encourages providers and nurses to take a moment—just a minute—to sit with patients, listen, and connect. The results speak for themselves: @unm.edu

On Celiac Disease Awareness Day, I’m reminded that 83% of Americans with celiac remain undiagnosed, often waiting 6–10 years for answers. Greater awareness, education, and advocacy can help shorten this journey and improve lives.

Navigating complex cases in gastro can be overwhelming. But new research shows that GenAI, like LLMs, is starting to offer personalized, adaptable support for treatment decisions and risk detection. However, we still need to tackle challenges like bias, accuracy, and seamless integration.

In this new Gut Matters episode, we explore resilience in IBS-C with GI psychologist Dr. Laurie Keefer. Learn about her GRITT method, plus strategies like acceptance, optimism, self-regulation, and social support to improve quality of life and daily coping:

Diet is key in managing IBS, not just easing symptoms but supporting quality of life. Low-FODMAP, gluten-free, and fiber-focused diets help, especially when personalized to individual triggers, highlighting the importance of tailored nutrition in IBS care. ‪@cureusmedical.bsky.social‬

“Values-driven listening” in #healthcare can transform the #PX and strengthen teams. By being fully present to build trust, asking curious questions to uncover what truly matters, and taking action based on what’s heard, we can improve both care and culture. ‪@newsmedical.bsky.social‬

Digestive conditions like #IBS and #CeliacDisease bring more than physical symptoms—GI-specific anxiety can affect diet, mental health, and quality of life. Addressing both emotional and physical needs, including mental health support, is key to truly patient-centered care.

A new study shows ChatGPT-3.5 provides accurate, consistent guidance on #CeliacDisease, especially for management strategies. While expert oversight remains essential, #AI could increasingly complement clinical advice and help patients engage more confidently in their care.

Culture shapes more than identity; it shapes how patients eat, prepare meals, and approach diet. For those with #IBS, understanding a patient’s food culture and the effects of diet acculturation is key to tailoring management strategies that are realistic, respectful, and effective. #PatientCare

Effective care starts with trust, built through clear, jargon-free language, active listening, and nonverbal awareness. UC San Diego’s fellowship shows how small #communication shifts can help patients feel heard, respected, and supported. #PX ‪@ucsdhealth.bsky.social‬

New research shows that delayed #IBD diagnosis can impact treatment and quality of life, especially for women. By prioritizing early diagnosis and tailoring treatment proactively, we can help patients—especially women—live fuller, healthier lives. #HealthEquity

The latest AGA IBS survey shows that symptoms disrupt work an average of 11 days per month and personal life 8 days. To me, this highlights the need for providers to listen closely, tailor treatments, and address both symptoms and quality of life to better support those living with #IBS. #PX

The latest PURE study links ultraprocessed grains—think packaged bread and cookies—to double the risk of #IBD. Meanwhile, fresh bread and plain rice seem protective. As providers, we have a real chance to help patients choose whole, nourishing foods for healthier guts and lives. #Nutrition

Too many with IBS, celiac & other #GI disorders face years of delays, fragmented care & feeling unheard. On #NationalPatientAdvocacyDay, let’s commit to reducing delays, improving communication & making patients true partners in care. Every interaction should build trust.

#IBD is rising fast in newly industrialized countries. New @nature.com data from the GIVES 21 consortium maps the global spread, giving GI leaders a chance to act early, expand access, and support care before systems are overwhelmed. #PatientCare

#ClinicalTrials shape treatment, but who’s included shapes outcomes. In our latest podcast, Dr. Andrea Shin, Susan Edelstein, and I discuss why #diversity in research matters and how trust-building drives more equitable, effective science.

New research confirms what many of us in #healthcare know: how we communicate matters. When patients feel respected and informed, trust and outcomes improve. “Fairness” in care—both interpersonal and informational—matters. #PatientExperience @theconversation.com

Thrilled to introduce two incredible new members of our team: Michelle Hogland and Kimberly O’Roark. Michelle and Kimberly are leading a grassroots effort to strengthen connections across the #IBSC community, from the Eastern seaboard to the West Coast:

#AI and wearable sensors may help us listen to the gut, turning bowel sounds into signals for diagnosing and monitoring #IBS. A step toward more objective, personalized care: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924424725007162

Mild #CrohnsDisease isn’t just a milder form; it’s biologically distinct. New Mount Sinai research using multi-omics could help identify patients who don’t need aggressive treatment, moving us closer to truly personalized #IBD care.

#Healthcare works best when patients are partners in their care. By providing them with personalized tools and education, we can achieve better outcomes, adherence, and experience. Let's work with and for patients. #PatientEngagement

Remission isn’t recovery for many with #IBD. New research shows Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy can reduce distress, improve well-being, and impact sleep and inflammation, highlighting the need for psychosocial support as part of standard care. #MBCT

A new sham-controlled study found that #IBS patients who believed they were gluten-sensitive reacted similarly to wheat, gluten, and placebo. Expectations—not ingredients—may drive symptoms, suggesting that care should focus on identifying true triggers instead of blanket food restrictions.

Trust in #healthcare has dropped from 71.5% in 2020 to 40.1% today, due to the pandemic, admin burdens, and profit concerns. But we can rebuild it by listening with empathy, being transparent, and fixing system issues, reaffirming the patient-provider partnership essential to healing. #PPR

#Endometriosis often overlaps with GI conditions like #IBS and IBD, causing diagnostic delays. But a Cleveland Clinic review shows that better teamwork among specialists can help us provide holistic, timely care that truly addresses patients’ needs.

After over 20 years in #healthcare, I’ve seen that presence is a vital #leadership quality. The best leaders I've known show up with their teams, building trust and empathy. This hands-on approach fosters mentorship and confidence, making all the difference in patient care.

I recently spoke with Dr. Andrea Shin and Dr. Alex Goldowsky about the unique #GI health challenges #LGBTQIA+ patients face. Minority stress, hormone therapy, and affirming care all matter—every day, not just one month a year. Grateful for this vital work.

#IBS and constipation nearly doubled during the pandemic, linked to #COVID’s gut impact and stress. It’s a reminder that gut and mental health are deeply connected, and we need better care, research, and solutions that address both, especially after stressful events. @medscape.com

New research shows blood DNA methylation markers may help predict who responds to vedolizumab or ustekinumab for #CrohnsDisease, outperforming current tools. A step closer to more targeted, effective care. #Gastroenterology

Feeling dismissed can hurt as much as the symptoms. Knowledge matters, but trust matters more. That's why I'm a firm believer that listening and validating patients is just good medicine. Let’s keep raising the bar for care that shows we see them, hear them, and truly care. #PX #PatientCare

#IBS often overlaps with anxiety and depression. A new Hong Kong study suggests that gut viruses—not just bacteria—may play a key role in this relationship, reminding us that the gut virome could unlock better ways to diagnose and treat IBS. #MentalHealth @nature.com

#Mental health is inseparable from gut health, especially in #UlcerativeColitis. In fact, 95% of patients want their GI doctor to ask about it. Let’s make mental health checks routine, not an afterthought in patient care. Great insights from ‪@medscape.com‬

New guidelines from Nottingham & the British Society of Gastroenterology recommend starting Crohn’s & colitis treatment with the most effective drugs upfront. Developed with clinicians & patients, they aim to improve care and decision-making. Would love to hear your thoughts. #IBD #PatientCare

New research shows a Low FODMAP Diet eased #GI symptoms in 60% of women with #endometriosis vs. 26% on a standard diet. With 75%+ experiencing gut issues, this offers hope for better care—something often missing in current guidelines.

Living with #UC means facing constant uncertainty, but patients show incredible strength by focusing on what they can control. Listening to their stories is where better #care begins: 🔗 https://www.healthcentral.com/condition/ulcerative-colitis/how-does-having-uc-impact-your-view-of-the-future

Dr. Erin Mauney is leading the first clinical trial of #psilocybin for treatment-resistant #IBS. By targeting the gut-brain axis and trauma, her work could reshape how we treat functional GI disorders—bridging the gap between physical and emotional healing:

UC Riverside identified a PTPN2 gene mutation in up to 20% of #IBD patients that disrupts iron absorption, explaining persistent #anemia despite oral supplements. This insight could shift treatment toward IV iron for better outcomes and highlights genetics’ role in IBD complications.

A new study shows TikTok’s top #IBD videos are personal, relatable stories—but they are low in medical quality. It’s a clear call for healthcare pros to join the conversation, share accurate information, and support patients where they are. #PatientEducation

New research shows #ADHD is linked to a 47% higher risk of intestinal disorders, especially #IBS. This finding serves as a reminder for clinicians to screen for GI symptoms in ADHD patients and consider integrated approaches to care.

Data shows that #IBD patients with recent #COVID19 have over double the risk of RSV infection, especially 30–60 days after COVID, older adults, and those on steroids or immunosuppressants. These findings highlight the need for increased awareness and prevention efforts for IBD patients post-COVID.

Nearly 44% of #GI patients use complementary and alternative medicine—but many don’t tell their doctors. It’s time to bridge the gap with open, informed conversations and integrative care that meets patients where they are. #PatientCare @medscape.com

What moves the needle for #IBS care? In this episode, Dr. Andrea Shin and I talk with advocates Jeff Roberts and Erica Dermer about evidence-based info, the psychosocial toll of IBS, and how advocacy is driving real change in patient-provider communication. #PatientAdvocacy

New research from @ki.se‬ has identified three nerve cell types in the gut’s submucosal layer, including one that senses gut contents and regulates absorption and fluid balance. This could unlock new treatments for #IBS, IBD, and other chronic #GI conditions.

We ask patients to make informed decisions, but #RiskCommunication often falls short. A new study shows that using numbers with context, being honest about uncertainty, and checking for understanding can build trust and improve #PatientCare. ‪@springernature.com‬