Digestive Disorders News, Features & Updates

March 3, 2026 — The FDA has expanded who can use Palynziq. It now includes adolescents 12 years and older with PKU whose Phe levels stay high despite care.

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a rare genetic disease that leads to developmental delays if untreated. See how one mom and her son, who has PKU, manage day to day.

Jerry Vockley, MD, PhD, chief of medical genetics and director of the Center for Rare Disease Therapy at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, answers other common questions you might have about phenylketonuria (PKU).

Since there's no cure for phenylketonuria (PKU), you'll need treatment throughout your life. But advances in specialty foods and new diagnostics have improved the outlook for people with this rare disease.

January 2, 2026 — Nereus (tradipitant) has become the first new prescription medicine for motion sickness approved by the FDA in more than 40 years.

Jess Harper recounts her journey from unexplained symptoms to diagnosis of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) to managing her disease to how her life has changed with PBC.

Primary biliary cholangitis is a lifelong condition, but new treatments make the condition more manageable. Here's a look at recent advances.

This rare liver disease is often overlooked. We asked an expert to share his insights on the disease, plus the challenges and exciting new treatments available.

July 29, 2025 — Sephience (sepiapterin) is a new oral medication approved by the FDA to treat a rare inherited condition known as phenylketonuria (PKU) in adults and children aged 1 month or older.

A new study links coffee with better gut health (as if coffee lovers needed another reason to drink it).

February 10, 2025 — The FDA has approved a new antibiotic combination called Emblaveo to treat serious stomach infections in adults who have few or no other treatment options.

September 23, 2024 — Someday soon, your medicine cabinet will have pills not just for you, but also for the microbes in your gut.

July 18, 2024 — Bowel frequency can impact how your gut bacteria break down food, leading to byproducts that could harm your health over time, according to a new study.

April 24, 2024 — Some companies claim they can identify and treat gastrointestinal problems with proprietary technology and products — experts disagree.

August 2, 2023 — Eating too much soybean oil, widely used in processed foods, could drive conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and leaky gut.

June 23, 2023 — New magnetic tech allows doctors to perform guided endoscopy to detect gastric illnesses much earlier.

June 1, 2023 — A new study reveals health concerns about the sugar substitute sucralose so alarming that researchers said people should stop eating it and the government should regulate it more.

April 27, 2023 — People with the painful and often recurring form of the bacterial infection known as C. diff can now take a helpful treatment called fecal transplant therapy by simply swallowing a pill.

March 8, 2023 — People who have had COVID-19 have a higher risk of developing new, long-term digestive problems, according to a study published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications.

February 28, 2023 — A new pill-like device could help diagnose GI issues with greater comfort and ease than current tests.

February 27, 2023 — Health officials are warning that an increase in the drug-resistant form of the bacteria shigella is a “serious public health threat.”

February 9, 2023 — A new vibrating pill shown to help relieve constipation is now available.

Ryan Piansky has had eosinophilic esophagitis since he was 2 years old. Learn more about how he’s learned to navigate his social life with the condition.

Postbiotics are part of your body's microbiome, the collection of microorganisms that keep you healthy. Learn more about what they are, why they're important, and more.

Gas can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, but you can squelch it by changing your diet.

Many people don’t know much about intestinal gas, even though we all have it. It’s time to take the air out of some of the myths behind flatulence and belching.

You know certain foods can give you heartburn. But did you know others can help control it?

Learn how aging affects your digestive health and get tips to promote good digestion.

Leaky gut syndrome is not a diagnosis taught in medical school, but instead points to a group of common symptoms that has not yet lead to a diagnosis. WebMD discusses what these symptoms mean and how increasing research might lead to a better understanding of this illness.

Are you lactose intolerant and unsure about how much lactose you can have? Get the facts here.

If you're lactose intolerant, you can still enjoy light coffee and creamy desserts with nondairy and lactose-free options instead of milk.

In winter, schools are transformed into hothouses for germs, exposing children to an onslaught of viruses. Here’s how to help your child cope with colds, flu, and stomach bugs during the school year.

Do barbecues and fair food give you stomachaches or diarrhea? Manage digestive problems with tips from the pros.

Bloating and gas are usually tied to what and how you eat, so a few simple changes may ease your discomfort.

A prolonged bout of diarrhea or vomiting can cause the body to lose more fluid than it can take in, resulting in dangerous dehydration.

Experts discuss foods that are good for your gallbladder, as well as what not to eat when you have gallbladder problems.

Your stomach. You can’t live without it, but why does it cause you so much trouble? Readers who wanted to know made this the top story of 2008.

Gas can often accompany diarrhea, making an uncomfortable situation even worse. Here’s how to make your GI tract behave better.

How one WebMD community member discovered -- and learned to cope with – GERD and food intolerances.

You aren't the first person -- and you won't be the last -- to have hemorrhoids. You don't have to suffer. Get tips from an expert and someone who's been there.

Chronic constipation is a common problem that can often be relieved by following a multifaceted lifestyle approach to treatment.

People with ulcers must use caution when taking over-the-counter pain relief medications. Follow these tips to be safe.

Upset stomach got you down? Gas, bloating, and bathroom problems are a constant battle for many people -- often the symptoms are related to diet, but there are some more serious medical conditions that may be the culprit.