Emily Downward

Although the field of psychology largely developed by studying disease, for the last 20 years or so, there has been a growing trend of looking at the positive side, called...

The first acupuncturist I ever saw had the patience of a saint. I have a passion for health and love learning, and this was my first foray into Eastern medicine...

I’ve been taking a course on Medical Intuition, and what I’m learning is changing the way I approach my health and healing. One of the underlying principles taught in the...

It feels like my abdomen is an overfull balloon. It is puffed up and out and uncomfortably tight. I’ve come home after eating dinner at a friend’s house, and I...

Did you ever play that game as a kid where you imagine the ground is hot lava and you have to step on stones (or pillows and furniture, if inside)...

For many of us, getting the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a time-consuming and costly process, involving multiple visits to doctors and many tests. Doctors generally consider all...

The first sense we develop is the sense of touch, and human touch is critical for survival. Infants who do not receive human touch fail to grow and survive, as...

There are trillions of microorganisms that live in our intestines. Formerly called the gut flora, these bacteria are known as the gut microbiota. Approximately one-third of the gut microbiota is...

With February 20 being Love Your Pet Day, I am feeling especially grateful for my sweet cat Elsie. I adopted Elsie from the Humane Society last March, and I feel...

We all know we should drink plenty of water, but do we do it? And just how much should you drink? Water is so critical for our health, and it’s...

I love science and the fact that it is constantly changing as we learn more. However, it’s still a bit of a shock to learn that researchers have recently determined...

A few months ago, I experienced a multi-day IBS flare-up that had me staying close to home and afraid to eat much. My symptoms were intense, causing me a lot...

It’s the holiday season, and along with the gift-giving and being of good cheer, there are multiple gatherings, which usually center around food and drink. Like many people living with...

The holidays are a wonderful time of joy, cheer and goodwill to all…and the extra shopping, the crowded parking lots, the increase in alcohol consumption and sugar, and the overpacked...

As a health educator, I’ve always encouraged patients to take an active role in their health. In our current healthcare system, being your own advocate is crucial. Many of us...

A diagnosis of IBS is made through a process of elimination, after doctors rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms. But could people with IBS actually be suffering...

Most people living with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) know first-hand the connection with stress and their symptoms. IBS often flares during times of intense stress. Why does this occur? And...

I recently wrote about getting tested for SIBO – small intestine bacterial overgrowth. Although the breath test wasn’t difficult, it wasn’t my idea of fun, and I was pleased that...

SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) is a chronic bacterial infection of the small intestine. While we all naturally have beneficial bacteria in our intestines that help us digest food, in...