For years, Samantha adapted quietly. She chewed longer, sipped water with every bite, avoided certain foods, and assumed the discomfort was just reflux.

It wasn't.

In this patient voice episode, Samantha shares the moment she realized something more serious was happening — and how that journey led to a diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).

She opens up about the subtle symptoms many people overlook, the daily adjustments she made without realizing it, and what finally pushed her to seek answers.

If swallowing sometimes feels harder than it should, this story may sound familiar.

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider regarding your symptoms or condition.

This educational initiative was developed with support from Takeda.

Bloating is one of the most common digestive complaints but also one of the most misunderstood. Many people experience frequent bloating without knowing what's causing it, whether it's normal, or when it may signal something more serious.

In this episode of the Gastro Girl Podcast, host Jacqueline Gaulin talks with gastroenterologist David J. Cangemi from the Mayo Clinic to unpack the real reasons behind bloating and what your digestive system may be trying to tell you.

Together, they discuss:

• The difference between occasional bloating and chronic bloating
• Common causes including diet, IBS, and gut-brain disorders
• How constipation and motility issues contribute to bloating
• When bloating may be linked to conditions like IBS, food intolerances, or SIBO
• Warning signs that should prompt medical evaluation
• Practical, evidence-based strategies to safely reduce bloating

If bloating is affecting your daily comfort or quality of life, this episode offers trusted, physician-guided insights to help you better understand your symptoms and know when to seek care.

This episode is produced in collaboration with the American College of Gastroenterology Patient Care Committee.

Auto-brewery syndrome (ABS), sometimes called gut fermentation syndrome, is one of the most misunderstood conditions in digestive health. Patients can experience real symptoms of alcohol intoxication—even when they haven't consumed alcohol—often leading to years of misdiagnosis, stigma, and confusion.

In this episode, we explore groundbreaking research published in Nature Microbiology examining how specific gut microbes may produce ethanol inside the body and contribute to auto-brewery syndrome.

Host Jacqueline Gaulin, founder of Gastro Girl, is joined by researcher and co-author Barbara Cordell to break down:

• What auto-brewery syndrome is and how it affects patients
• Why this condition has historically been difficult to diagnose
• What new microbiome research reveals about microbial ethanol production
• How this science may help validate patient experiences
• What clinicians and patients should know moving forward

This evidence-based, patient-focused conversation sheds light on a condition that has long been misunderstood—and offers hope for clearer recognition, research, and support.