Stuart Akerman, MD Digestive Health Blog

April is IBS Awareness Month, and irritable bowel syndrome affects 25-45 million Americans. Dr. Stuart Akerman explains why IBS is so challenging to treat: it doesn't have a single cause. From atypical food allergies affecting over 50% of patients to the gut-brain axis connection with anxiety, IBS involves multiple underlying drivers. Learn why better evaluation matters, how to partner with your doctor for targeted treatment, and what recent research reveals about this comple

Bloating after meals is common, but when does it signal a problem? Learn the difference between normal post-meal bloating and symptoms that require a gastroenterologist visit. Discover common causes like food intolerances, SIBO, and IBS, plus practical tips to reduce discomfort. If bloating occurs 3-4+ times weekly or comes with red flags like weight loss, severe pain, or blood in stool, it's time to seek expert care in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

I'm often asked what diet is best for gut health. The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

If you ever feel crummy after eating certain foods—but without an obvious allergy or symptoms as extreme as anaphylaxis—you may have a food

Research has shown that probiotics, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains, can effectively alleviate symptoms of diarrhea and pr

Dealing with diarrhea can be uncomfortable and disruptive to daily life. It's important to understand the impact of diarrhea on digestive he

The gallbladder, a small pear-shaped organ located beneath the liver, plays a crucial role in aiding digestion by storing and releasing bile

If you experience abdominal pain, bloating, or diarrhea after eating bread, pasta, or other wheat products, you may suffer from Celiac (CD)

If you've ever felt an intense wave of nausea, abdominal pain, and bloating after eating a meal, you may have experienced gastroparesis.

The brain and the gut have a very intimate relationship known as the gut-brain axis. When we experience chronic stress or difficult emotions