Many people living with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis assume that if symptoms improve, their disease is under control. But with inflammatory bowel disease, inflammation can sometimes continue silently, even when you feel okay.

In this episode of Gastro Girl, Jacqueline Gaulin speaks with IBD expert Dr. Jessica Allegretti about what IBD may be affecting inside the body and why symptom relief is not always the same as healing.

They discuss the difference between feeling better and achieving remission, why ongoing monitoring matters, how flares can develop, and how proactive care may help protect long-term health.

This conversation is designed to help patients better understand what may be happening inside their bodies and feel more informed when talking with their healthcare team.

This education initiative is sponsored by Merck.

After a Barrett's esophagus diagnosis, many patients ask: What happens next—and do I need treatment?

In this episode, foregut surgeon Dr. Caitlin Houghton of Keck Medicine of USC explains how Barrett's esophagus is treated in the United States and how doctors work to reduce the risk of progression to esophageal cancer.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How doctors decide when treatment is needed
• The role of reflux control, medications, and lifestyle changes
• When endoscopic eradication therapy (EET) may be recommended
• When surgery may be considered
• Why ongoing surveillance is important for long-term care

If you or someone you love has Barrett's esophagus, chronic GERD, or long-term acid reflux, this episode provides practical, evidence-based guidance to help you better understand your options.

This episode is part of a 4-part patient education series sponsored by Castle Biosciences and produced by Gastro Girl in collaboration with leading U.S. clinicians dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with Barrett's esophagus.

Preparing for a colonoscopy may not be anyone's favorite part of colorectal cancer screening, but proper colonoscopy prep is one of the most important factors in detecting precancerous polyps and colorectal cancer early.

In this episode, Jacqueline Gaulin sits down with leading gastroenterologist Dr. Fola May to answer common questions about bowel preparation for colonoscopy. Why is colonoscopy prep necessary? What happens if the bowel isn't cleaned properly? Have preparation options improved over the years? And what can patients do to make the process easier?

As a co-author of the latest U.S. Multi-Society Task Force recommendations on bowel preparation for colonoscopy, Dr. May explains how colonoscopy prep has evolved to become more effective and patient-friendly. She discusses lower-volume bowel prep options, updated dietary recommendations, and practical strategies to help patients achieve a high-quality prep and avoid repeat procedures.

In this episode, you'll learn:
✅ Why bowel preparation is essential for an effective colonoscopy
✅ How poor prep can impact polyp and cancer detection
✅ Newer low-volume colonoscopy prep options
✅ Updated diet recommendations before a colonoscopy
✅ Tips for improving your colonoscopy prep experience
✅ How proper prep helps improve colorectal cancer screening outcomes

Whether you're preparing for your first colonoscopy or looking for the latest guidance on bowel preparation, this episode provides expert insights to help you feel more confident and informed.

This episode is brought to you in collaboration with the American College of Gastroenterology Patient Care Committee.