GERD to Barrett’s Esophagus: A Patient Story That Could Change Your Care
Release Date: 04/01/2026
Why IBS-C Treatments Work Differently for Everyone: What Patients Should Know
The Gastro Girl Podcast
Why does one IBS-C treatment work for someone else—but not for you? In this episode of the Gastro Girl podcast, leading gastroenterologist Darren M. Brenner. MD, FACG, of Northwestern Medicine, explains why treating IBS-C (irritable bowel syndrome with constipation) is not one-size-fits-all. Using a real-world patient scenario, Dr. Brenner breaks down what may actually be happening inside the body—from gut motility and visceral sensitivity to the brain-gut connection—and why different therapies target different symptoms and pathways. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why some...
info_outline
Are You Pooping Wrong? A Gastroenterologist Explains Better Bowel Habits
The Gastro Girl Podcast
What if your bowel habits aren’t as healthy as you think? In this episode of Gastro Girl, we’re joined by Dr. Trisha Pasricha, author of You’ve Been Pooping All Wrong: How to Make Your Bowel Movements a Joy. She breaks down what most people get wrong about bowel movements—and shares simple, science-backed strategies to improve comfort, regularity, and overall digestive health. From daily habits to the brain-gut connection, we explore what truly supports healthy digestion—and when it’s time to seek medical advice. In this episode, you’ll learn: What actually defines a...
info_outline
IBS-C Bloating Explained: Causes, Symptoms & How to Find Relief
The Gastro Girl Podcast
IBS-C bloating can feel constant—but why does it happen, and what actually helps? If you’re living with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C), bloating is often one of the most frustrating symptoms. In this episode of Gastro Girl, leading gastroenterologist Dr. Brian Lacy (Mayo Clinic Jacksonville) explains the real causes of bloating in IBS-C and what patients need to know to find relief. What You’ll Learn: Why bloating is so common in IBS-C What’s happening in your gut when you feel bloated The role of constipation in driving bloating Common myths about...
info_outline
Trouble Swallowing? These Symptoms Could Mean EoE
The Gastro Girl Podcast
Does it fee like food gets stuck when you swallow? Or like swallowing takes more effort than it should? These symptoms are often dismissed—but they may be signs of Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), a condition that frequently goes undiagnosed for years. In this episode of Gastro Girl, Jacqueline Gaulin sits down with Dr. Neil D. Parikh to break down what these symptoms really mean—and when it’s time to take action. In this episode: Why food may feel like it’s getting stuck The difference between reflux and something more Early warning signs many people overlook When...
info_outline
GERD to Barrett’s Esophagus: A Patient Story That Could Change Your Care
The Gastro Girl Podcast
Barrett’s esophagus can develop silently in people with chronic acid reflux (GERD)—and many don’t realize their risk until after diagnosis. In this episode of Gastro Girl, Robin shares her powerful, real-life journey from ongoing reflux symptoms to a diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus—and how that moment changed everything. Like many patients, Robin faced confusion, fear, and unanswered questions about what her diagnosis meant and what to do next. After learning more about Barrett’s esophagus, including risk factors, monitoring, and emerging tools like TissueCypher, she felt...
info_outline
Colorectal Cancer Screening: When to Start, Colonoscopy vs Other Tests…
The Gastro Girl Podcast
Colonoscopy is one of the most effective tools for preventing colorectal cancer—but it’s not the only screening option. So how do you know when to get screened, which test to choose, and what to do next if results come back abnormal? Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, yet many people delay screening due to confusion or uncertainty. In this Gastro Girl Podcast episode, developed in collaboration with the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Patient Care Committee, we’re joined by leading gastroenterologist Dr. Aasma Shaukat (NYU Langone Health) and member of...
info_outline
I Couldn’t Even Swallow A Pill: Samantha’s EoE Story
The Gastro Girl Podcast
For years, Samantha adapted quietly. She chewed longer, sipped water with every bite, avoided certain foods, and assumed the discomfort was just reflux. It wasn’t. In this patient voice episode, Samantha shares the moment she realized something more serious was happening — and how that journey led to a diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). She opens up about the subtle symptoms many people overlook, the daily adjustments she made without realizing it, and what finally pushed her to seek answers. If swallowing sometimes feels harder than it should, this story may sound familiar. This...
info_outline
Why Am I Always Bloated? A GI Doctor Explains
The Gastro Girl Podcast
Bloating is one of the most common digestive complaints but also one of the most misunderstood. Many people experience frequent bloating without knowing what’s causing it, whether it’s normal, or when it may signal something more serious. In this episode of the Gastro Girl Podcast, host Jacqueline Gaulin talks with gastroenterologist David J. Cangemi from the Mayo Clinic to unpack the real reasons behind bloating and what your digestive system may be trying to tell you. Together, they discuss: • The difference between occasional bloating and chronic bloating • Common causes including...
info_outline
Auto-Brewery Syndrome: When Your Gut Produces Alcohol
The Gastro Girl Podcast
Auto-brewery syndrome (ABS), sometimes called gut fermentation syndrome, is one of the most misunderstood conditions in digestive health. Patients can experience real symptoms of alcohol intoxication—even when they haven’t consumed alcohol—often leading to years of misdiagnosis, stigma, and confusion. In this episode, we explore groundbreaking research published in Nature Microbiology examining how specific gut microbes may produce ethanol inside the body and contribute to auto-brewery syndrome. Host Jacqueline Gaulin, founder of Gastro Girl, is joined by researcher and co-author Barbara...
info_outline
Barrett’s Esophagus in the U.S.: How GERD Increases Cancer Risk
The Gastro Girl Podcast
Chronic heartburn and GERD are often brushed off as everyday issues—but for some patients, long-term reflux can quietly progress to Barrett’s esophagus, the only known precursor to esophageal cancer. In Part 1 of this 4-part U.S.-focused patient education series, foregut surgeon Dr. Dan Lister, Founder of the Arkansas Heartburn Treatment Center, explains how reflux disease can evolve over time and why early recognition matters. In this episode, you’ll learn: How chronic GERD can progress silently Why Barrett’s esophagus matters—even when symptoms improve or disappear Key...
info_outlineBarrett’s esophagus can develop silently in people with chronic acid reflux (GERD)—and many don’t realize their risk until after diagnosis.
In this episode of Gastro Girl, Robin shares her powerful, real-life journey from ongoing reflux symptoms to a diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus—and how that moment changed everything.
Like many patients, Robin faced confusion, fear, and unanswered questions about what her diagnosis meant and what to do next. After learning more about Barrett’s esophagus, including risk factors, monitoring, and emerging tools like TissueCypher, she felt empowered to take a more active role in her care and have informed conversations with her healthcare team.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
-
What Barrett’s esophagus is and how it relates to GERD
-
Common symptoms and warning signs patients often overlook
-
What a diagnosis means for cancer risk and monitoring
-
How patient education can transform fear into action
-
Why self-advocacy matters in digestive health care
Robin’s story is a reminder that knowledge can change your path—and your outcomes.
If you experience chronic heartburn or reflux, this episode offers important insights to help guide your next conversation with your doctor.
This educational series is supported by Castle Biosciences.
Robin’s story reflects her personal experience. Gastro Girl provides evidence-based information to support informed patient-provider conversations and does not offer medical advice.