How Immune System Peacefully Co-Exists with “Good” Bacteria

The human gut is loaded with helpful bacteria microbes, yet the immune system seemingly turns a blind eye. Now, researchers know how this friendly truce is kept intact. Innate lymphoid cells directly limit the response by inflammatory T cells to commensal bacteria in the gut of mice. Loss of this ILC function effectively puts the immune system on an extended war footing against the commensal bacteria a condition observed in multiple chronic inflammatory diseases.

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72 Percent of Pregnant Women Experience Constipation and Other Bowel Problems

Nearly three out of four pregnant women experience constipation, diarrhea or other bowel disorders during their pregnancies, a Loyola University Medical Center study has found.

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A reporter's PressPass is required to access this story until the embargo expires on 6/11/2013 10:30 AM EDT

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A reporter's PressPass is required to access this story until the embargo expires on 5/23/2013 10:00 AM EDT

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Raises Risk of Melanoma

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at higher risk of melanoma, a form of skin cancer, report researchers at Mayo Clinic.

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Genetic Variations Associated With Susceptibility to Bacteria Linked to Stomach Disorders

Two genome-wide association studies and a subsequent meta-analysis have found that certain genetic variations are associated with susceptibility to Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria that is a major cause of gastritis and stomach ulcers and is linked to stomach cancer, findings that may help explain some of the observed variation in individual risk for H pylori infection.

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No More Reflux: New Surgery in Fight Against Reflux for Patients Whose Medication No Longer Works

A new procedure involving a magnetic ring of beads that fits around your pinky has been shown to stop GERD in people whose medication stopped working.

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From GI Issues to Weight Loss: A Breakdown of Gluten-Free Eating

There has been a lot of buzz about the weight loss benefits of eating gluten-free, but UAB doctors say it’s important to find out if you need to eat this way or not.

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Advances in Inflammatory Bowel Disease—What's New, What's Next

Every five years, the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) gathers top researchers in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to set the research agenda for the next five years. The findings and recommendations of these expert workgroups are presented in a series of detailed "Challenges in IBD Research" reports, now available in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, official journal of the CCFA. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health.

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Probiotics Reduce Stress-Induced Intestinal Flare-Ups

Stress has a way of significantly altering the composition of gut bacteria, which leads to inflammation and often times, belly pain for those with irritable bowel syndrome. But a University of Michigan Health System study shows how probiotics can reverse the effect of stress.

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