Blog - Science and Word

Is Trauma the Cause of your IBS?

How does stress affect our digestion?
Where does the body store trauma?
Why does past trauma increase your risk for IBS?
What can you do if you think trauma caused your IBS?

It’s such a cruel statistic. Children who are abused or impoverished are more likely to experience numerous health problems when they grow up. Histories of trauma, sexual abuse, maternal neglect – they all get wrapped up in a category called “Early Life Adversities,” or ELA. And if you faced adversity while growing up, your risk for irritable bowel syndrome increases two- to four-fold.

Although IBS affects 12-15% of adults, doctors still can’t explain what causes this troubling disorder. In part, that’s because irritable bowel syndrome only describes your symptoms – and a great number of different problems can manifest as the same symptoms. However, the startling connection between childhood trauma, PTSD, and IBS has led scientists to ask this question: How can early life adversity lead to IBS?

This article explains how childhood traumas are physically stored by our bodies, what scientists have learned about the mind-body connection’s role in gut health, and how this could impact your IBS treatment.

The hidden sources of chronic inflammation – and how to fight back

February 27, 2019 / Genevieve R. Moore / 2 Comments

Chronic inflammation can lead to painful and life-threatening health issues, but most of us aren’t aware of inflammation until it’s already taken a heavy toll on our health. Although chronic inflammation can lead to heart attacks, strokes, cancer and numerous other health conditions, research shows that it can take years before inflammation leads to lasting health consequences. This means you have time to fight back against the damage of inflammation.

Anti-inflammatory medications and supplements can help you regain control, but the most proactive way to fight inflammation is to identify what’s causing your immune system to overreact – and then use that knowledge to stop inflammation at its source. For those suffering from arthritis, periodontitis or another inflammatory disease, the source of inflammation may appear obvious. However, all of us – whether we’re aware of it or not – struggle with hidden inflammatory triggers every day.

Whether by avoiding these triggers or counterbalancing them with anti-inflammatory foods and exercise, you can help control chronic inflammation. Here are some of the most common hidden sources of inflammation that could be hazardous to your health, and steps you can take to stop them:

How to read a research paper

February 15, 2019 / Genevieve R. Moore / 1 Comment

Whether you’re a student or a self-motivated fact-checker, there will likely come a time when you’re face-to-face with an academic research paper. Should you read it… or just click close? Although it’s tempting to skim the title and simply confirm it’s about the topic at hand, it might be worth your time to learn how to dig deeper into primary literature. Read on if you want to learn how to judge the evidence for yourself.

Why are research papers hard to read?

September 12, 2018 / Genevieve R. Moore / 3 Comments

The first time I read a research paper was in college. Or, what I really mean to say is that I tried to read a research paper – it felt like my brain was going to melt.

Instead of finishing reading the scientific article, I dropped the class and switched majors.

If you’ve ever tried to read primary literature and felt completely overwhelmed, you are not alone. That confusing jumble of words, numbers and charts was practically designed to be complicated and boring. But why? Read on for a little history about academic literature and its current crisis.

Science and Word

Simple English for Complex Research

Is Trauma the Cause of your IBS?

The hidden sources of chronic inflammation – and how to fight back

How to read a research paper

Why are research papers hard to read?

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