Health Topics

Find information on health topics
so you can live your best life.

Gastrointestinal Health

Gastroenterology at Mayo Clinic Health System specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive tract.

Hometown Health Blog

Steps to prevent norovirus

Anyone can be infected with the highly contagious illness norovirus. Follow these tips to decrease your risk of getting the viruses that cause gastroenteritis, often referred to as the stomach flu.

Timothy Slama, D.O. By Timothy Slama March 13, 2024

Redefining liver health: Understanding steatotic liver disease

More than a quarter of the world's adult population is affected by the most common form of chronic liver disease. Learn about a shift underway to redefine steatotic liver disease and raise awareness.

Victoria Louwagie PAC By Victoria Louwagie February 6, 2024

Best foods to eat when you have a stomach 'bug'

Fighting off the dreaded stomach "flu" isn't fun. This intestinal infection is marked by watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea or vomiting. Here are some tips for fueling your body when it hits.

Michelle Frischmann CNP APNP By Shelly Frischmann October 20, 2023

5 things you can do to keep your colon healthy

For years, turning 50 came with a special birthday message from your health care team: Time to have a colonoscopy. Read about the change in guidelines to begin screening at age 45.

Salwa BakkaliDerksen DO By Salwa Bakkali-Derksen March 9, 2023

Living with Crohn's disease or colitis

From mild to debilitating symptoms, inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease or colitis, can affect all aspects of your health. Learn about risk factors and effects, and get coping tips.

Daisy Batista, M.D. By Daisy Batista January 24, 2023

Fecal incontinence: Does your underwear have more than a small brown streak?

Most pelvic floor issues can be diagnosed and treated once identified as a concern. Find out what determines minor and major fecal incontinence and treatment options.

Stephanie Chambers, APRN, C.N.P., D.N.P. By Stephanie Chambers September 19, 2022

Breaking down acute and chronic pancreatitis

While more people experience a mild form of pancreatitis, which appears suddenly, some experience a severe case that can cause life-threatening conditions. Learn about the symptoms and treatment for each form of pancreatitis.

Sebastian Strobel, M.D. By Sebastian Strobel August 18, 2022

Breaking down the details of colorectal surgery

Colorectal surgery is a wide range of procedures that treat conditions of the lower digestive tract, ranging from hemorrhoids to cancer. Here's what you need to know if you need surgery.

Andrew Morris, M.D. By Andrew Morris August 11, 2022

Testing for hepatitis C could save your life

Testing for hepatitis C can be the difference between serious health complications later in life or a manageable condition. Get answers to common questions to understand more about hepatitis C.

Victoria Louwagie PAC By Victoria Louwagie July 28, 2022

An introduction to probiotics

While medical science works to further understand the human microbiome's role in your daily health, answers to common questions can help you better understand probiotics.

Allyn Wergin RDN By Allyn Wergin July 13, 2022

What’s the difference between inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome?

Misinterpreting a diagnosis can have a radically different meaning between similar-sounding conditions. This is true for inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, and irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS.

Daisy Batista, M.D. By Daisy Batista July 6, 2022

All about food allergies

Life at the dinner table looks different for people with food allergies, which often is confused with food intolerance. Understand the differences to help manage your meal planning.

Kjersten Nett LD By Kjersten Nett June 29, 2022