MEET THE EXPERTS Gut Issues

Here's what a leading GI doctor wants you to know.

- ISABELLA CAVALLO

At least 60 million Americans are affected by digestive diseases, so we at Prevention are kicking off our new interview series with a GI specialist: Hiroshi Mashimo, M.D., is a gastroenterologist with a passion for helping patients and conducting game-changing research. He sat down with us to talk about his field.

What don't many people know about GI medicine?

I think a major problem is that people hesitate to tell their doctors about issues such as fecal incontinence, constipation, and diarrhea. With heartburn, there is a blatant acceptance of the narrative that everyone has heartburn, so they take over-the-counter medications and don't tell their doctor. Complications such as cancers are not detected until they are advanced and less treatable.

Why is a healthy gut so important?