IBS-C's Emotional Toll and How Gut-Brain Therapy Helps You Take Back Your Life
The Gastro Girl Podcast
04/08/25
•35m
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Living with IBS-C often means silently dealing with more than just constipation. From missing social events to navigating daily stress and anxiety, the emotional toll can feel overwhelming. In this eye-opening episode of the Gastro Girl Podcast, host Jacqueline Gaulin talks with Dr. Sarah Ballou, Director of GI Behavioral Health at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Ballou shares insights from her groundbreaking research on what IBS-C patients are willing to sacrifice for symptom relief—and why the answer often lies in the gut-brain connection.
We also explore the power of multidisciplinary care in IBS-C management. For many patients, the best outcomes come from combining medications, nutrition strategies, and gut-brain behavioral therapy—a team-based approach that treats the whole person, not just the symptoms. Dr. Ballou explains how GI psychologists work alongside gastroenterologists, dietitians, and other specialists to create personalized care plans that help patients feel heard, supported, and empowered.
Whether you're living with IBS-C or supporting someone who is, this episode offers real hope, expert guidance, and practical strategies for managing symptoms without giving up the things you love.
Sponsored by Ardelyx.
Previous Episode
Oliver Super Beardie Steals the Show as New Partnership is Unveiled
April 1, 2025
•15m
In this exciting episode of the Gastro Girl Podcast, Suzanne Kline, the inspiring founder of the GIZ Kids Foundation, joins us to discuss how Gastro Girl Patient Institute (GGPI) and GIZ Kids have teamed up to make digestive health education fun and accessible for kids through new Woof Chat Kids programs that are focused on health, nutrition, and wellness.
But that's not all. This episode also gives the audience a sneak peek at Oliver Super Beardie's new role in Woof Chat Kids. Oliver answers real questions from kids and shows just how his playful personality, endless curiosity, and infectious humor will help kids of all ages understand why digestive health is so important—expertly puppeteered and voiced by the esteemed and incredibly talented John Kennedy.
Tune in to discover how this exciting collaboration is empowering kids and families to make healthier choices—and catch a glimpse of Oliver Super Beardie in action as he makes gut health learning fun, relatable, and actionable—helping kids build lifelong healthy habits.
Next Episode
If you've been struggling with chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC), you know that traditional laxatives don't always work consistently—and they're not always ideal for long-term use. But what if there was a drug-free, FDA-cleared alternative designed to support your body's natural rhythm?
In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Darren Brenner, gastroenterologist and motility expert from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, to explore the Vibrant capsule—a new non-drug treatment that uses gentle vibrations to stimulate natural gut motility.
Tune in as we discuss:
- What makes Vibrant different from traditional constipation treatments
- Who may benefit most from this new approach
- How it works with the body—not against it
- What this could mean for the future of constipation care
As always, speak with your healthcare provider to determine if the Vibrant capsule is right for you.
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