August 18, 2020

His Body Brewed Its Own Alcohol, But a Fecal Transplant Shut the Brewery Down

TUESDAY, Aug. 18, 2020 -- In a first, doctors have used a fecal transplant to treat a rare condition that causes the body to brew its own alcohol.

The disorder, known as auto-brewery syndrome (ABS), occurs when yeast builds up in the gut and converts sugar from food into alcohol. The result is a lot like being drunk: Blood alcohol spikes, causing symptoms such as dizziness, disorientation, coordination problems and mood changes.

August 3, 2020

Colon Cancer Tests by Mail Might Boost Screening

MONDAY, July 20, 2020 -- Want to boost colon cancer screening rates? Mail testing kits to patients' homes, a new study says.

Colon cancer is easily diagnosed by routine screening, such as colonoscopies and at-home stool testing.

July 14, 2020

High-Fiber, Low-Fat Diet May Help People With Ulcerative Colitis

FRIDAY, July 10, 2020 -- A low-fat, high-fiber diet may improve the quality of life of patients with ulcerative colitis, a new study finds.

"Patients with inflammatory bowel disease always ask us what they should eat to make their symptoms better," said researcher Dr. Maria Abreu. She's a professor of medicine and microbiology and immunology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

July 9, 2020

Common Blood Pressure Meds May Lower Colon Cancer Risk

MONDAY, July 6, 2020 -- Millions of Americans take medication to keep their blood pressure down. A new study suggests that two types of blood pressure drugs might do double-duty, keeping colon cancer away, too.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (often called ACE inhibitors) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) help lower blood pressure by relaxing and opening up narrowed blood vessels, allowing blood to flow freely.

June 29, 2020

Could Crohn's, Colitis Raise Dementia Risk?

TUESDAY, June 23, 2020 -- People with inflammatory bowel disease might be vulnerable to developing dementia, a new study suggests.

Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is an umbrella term for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Both cause chronic inflammation in the digestive tract, thought to be triggered by a misguided immune system attack.