The Flush

From contaminated Gas-X and ultra-processed foods to marathon runners with colon polyps, new colon cancer screening options, and an unnecessary number of synonyms for vomiting, we’ve got quite the GI news dump to unpack.

In this episode of The Flush, Julianna Hallman and Dr. Chris Shaver are joined by Dr. Landon Brown, a partner at Birmingham Gastroenterology and an advanced endoscopist, to break down some of the latest Hot on the Pot stories making headlines in digestive health.

We discuss the recent Gas-X recall involving potential contamination, plus new research examining a possible connection between ultra-processed foods and precancerous colon polyps in younger adults.

We also take a deeper dive into the American Cancer Society’s updated colorectal cancer screening guidelines and the addition of blood-based screening tests. Dr. Shaver and Dr. Brown discuss the benefits and limitations of these less-invasive screening options compared with colonoscopy, raise questions about potential conflicts of interest surrounding the evolving screening landscape, and explain why colonoscopy remains the gold standard for detecting and removing precancerous polyps. With colorectal cancer rates rising in younger adults, we ask: Why are we encouraging alternatives to colonoscopy in the middle of a colorectal cancer epidemic? Dr. Shaver also shares his recommendation for patients deciding how they should get screened.

Plus, we take a closer look at a surprising study that found marathon and ultramarathon runners may have higher rates of precancerous colon polyps than expected, what the findings actually mean, and why even healthy, active adults shouldn’t overlook colorectal cancer screening.

Then, in Don’t Hold It In, Dr. Shaver and Dr. Brown answer the GI questions you may have wondered but never asked, including how to tell the difference between food poisoning and a stomach bug, what to eat after throwing up, why you sometimes need to poop right after eating, how often is too often to go, and why Googling your GI symptoms can send you down the wrong path.

Whether you’re trying to make sense of digestive health headlines, wondering what you can do to protect your colon health, or just have a GI question you’ve been too embarrassed to ask, this episode offers practical, evidence-based insights to help you better understand your gut.

Have a question or story?

Submit it online at bgapc.com/theflush or on our social media and don’t hold it in.

Follow us and message us:

Instagram: @birminghamgastro

TikTok: @birminghamgastro

Facebook: Birmingham Gastroenterology

For more information on Birmingham Gastroenterology, visit bgapc.com.

The latest digestive health headlines are everywhere, but what do they actually mean for you?

In this episode of The Flush, Julianna Hallman and Dr. Chris Shaver separate fact from fiction as they discuss the recent surge in Cyclospora, the parasite behind the "explosive diarrhea" headlines, including how it's spread, symptoms to watch for, and when it's time to seek medical care.

They also break down biohacker Bryan Johnson's autoimmune gastritis diagnosis and explain how this rare condition differs from other forms of gastritis. Plus, they discuss new research examining whether heartburn medications may be linked to symptoms of functional dyspepsia, why the headlines don't tell the whole story, and what a surprising study on a prescription constipation medication reveals about the gut-brain connection and cognitive health.

Whether you're wondering if persistent diarrhea is more than a stomach bug, trying to understand the latest research making headlines, or simply curious about how your digestive system affects your overall health, this episode offers practical, evidence-based insights to help you better understand your gut.

Have a question or story? Submit it on social and don't hold it in.

Follow us and message us:
Instagram: @birminghamgastro
TikTok: @birminghamgastro
Facebook: Birmingham Gastroenterology

For more information on Birmingham Gastroenterology, visit bgapc.com.

In this episode of The Flush, we're continuing our conversation about one of the most common digestive conditions affecting millions of Americans: GERD, also known as acid reflux.

Hosted by Julianna Hallman and Dr. Chris Shaver of Birmingham Gastroenterology, we're joined again by special guest Dr. Raj Parikh to discuss what happens when acid reflux doesn't improve with medication alone. We break down the Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF) procedure, also known as TIF, including who may be a candidate, how it works, what recovery is like, and how it compares to long-term medication and traditional anti-reflux surgery.

If you've been living with chronic heartburn or wondering what comes next after medication, this episode will help you better understand your treatment options and when it's time to talk to a gastroenterologist. Our goal is to make digestive health easier to understand, easier to talk about, and easier to navigate with confidence.

Follow us and message us:Instagram: ⁠@birminghamgastro⁠TikTok: ⁠@birminghamgastro⁠Facebook: ⁠Birmingham Gastroenterology⁠

For more information on Birmingham Gastroenterology, visit ⁠bgapc.com⁠.

In this episode of The Flush, we're continuing our conversation about one of the most common digestive conditions affecting millions of Americans: GERD, also known as acid reflux.

Hosted by Julianna Hallman and Dr. Chris Shaver of Birmingham Gastroenterology, we're joined again by special guest Dr. Raj Parikh to discuss what happens when acid reflux doesn't improve with medication alone. We break down the Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF) procedure, also known as TIF, including who may be a candidate, how it works, what recovery is like, and how it compares to long-term medication and traditional anti-reflux surgery.

If you've been living with chronic heartburn or wondering what comes next after medication, this episode will help you better understand your treatment options and when it's time to talk to a gastroenterologist. Our goal is to make digestive health easier to understand, easier to talk about, and easier to navigate with confidence.

Follow us and message us:
Instagram: @birminghamgastro
TikTok: @birminghamgastro
Facebook: Birmingham Gastroenterology

For more information on Birmingham Gastroenterology, visit bgapc.com.

In this episode of The Flush, we're talking about one of the most common digestive conditions affecting millions of Americans: GERD, also known as acid reflux.

Hosted by Julianna Hallman and Dr. Chris Shaver of Birmingham Gastroenterology, we're joined by special guest Dr. Raj Parikh to discuss GERD, what causes it, and why so many people struggle with symptoms like heartburn, regurgitation, chronic cough, throat clearing, and chest discomfort. We also explore when occasional heartburn becomes something more serious and why medication isn't always the complete solution.

Plus, we get into:

Hot on the Pot: Alabama lawmakers pushing to expand access to colorectal cancer screening, the surprising connection between GLP-1 medications and increased mint and gum sales, and why advocates are encouraging more "poop talk" to help catch colorectal cancer earlier.

Acid reflux is incredibly common, but living with frequent symptoms doesn't have to be. Our goal is to make digestive health easier to understand, easier to talk about, and easier to navigate with confidence.

Have a question or story? Submit it on social and don't hold it in.

Follow us and message us:

Instagram: @birminghamgastro

TikTok: @birminghamgastro

Facebook: Birmingham Gastroenterology

For more information on Birmingham Gastroenterology, visit bgapc.com.

In Episode 2 of The Flush, we’re diving into one of the internet’s favorite health topics right now: “leaky gut” and the explosion of gut health advice all over TikTok.

Hosted by Julianna Hallman and Dr. Chris Shaver of Birmingham Gastroenterology, we break down what people actually mean when they say they have leaky gut, whether it’s a real medical diagnosis, and what symptoms should actually prompt you to see a GI specialist.

We also take on some of the biggest gut health trends online and separate what’s medically supported from what’s mostly hype.

Plus, we get into:

• Hot on the Pot: trending GI headlines including NASA’s Artemis 2 “space toilet,” a Chick-fil-A employee finding nearly $10,000 in a restaurant bathroom, and smart underwear designed to track farts for science
• Shaver Says: rating viral gut health trends from psyllium husk and probiotics to celery juice, castor oil packs, aloe vera juice, liver cleanses, olive oil shots, and apple cider vinegar for heartburn
• Whether supplements, cleanses, bone broth, fermented foods, and digestive products actually “heal your gut”

Digestive health is confusing enough without social media making it harder to know what’s real. Our goal is to make these conversations easier to understand, easier to talk about, and easier to navigate with confidence.

Have a question or story? Submit it on social and don’t hold it in.

Follow us and message us:

• Instagram: @birminghamgastro
• TikTok: @birminghamgastro
• Facebook: Birmingham Gastroenterology

For more information on Birmingham Gastroenterology, visit bgapc.com.

At just 25 years old, John Michael Pierce lost his life to esophageal cancer.

In this episode, Dr. Chris Shaver and Julianna Hallman are joined by Michelle Jenkins, who shares her brother’s story and the mission behind the John Michael Pierce Foundation. Dr. Shaver also provides expert insight, answering common questions about esophageal cancer, including symptoms that are often overlooked and why early detection matters.

This conversation goes beyond awareness. It’s about recognizing the signs and understanding what could save a life.

For more information on the John Michael Pierce Foundation, visit jmpfoundation.org.

Don’t ignore the signs. If you’re experiencing symptoms, visit bgapc.com to connect with Birmingham Gastroenterology.

In our first episode of The Flush, we’re diving into one of the most important conversations happening in healthcare right now: colon cancer is rising in younger adults.

Hosted by Julianna Hallman and Dr. Chris Shaver of Birmingham Gastroenterology, we break down what’s driving the increase, the symptoms you should never ignore, and what you actually need to know about screening, including the growing conversation around stool and blood-based tests.

We also introduce what to expect from the show, including:

• Hot on the Pot: trending GI headlines
• Shaver Says: myth busting the internet’s biggest misconceptions
• Don’t Hold It In: real questions and stories from listeners

Plus, we get into:

• The role of diet and ultra-processed foods
• A viral “poop spray” news story
• Prebiotic sodas and whether they’re actually good for you
• Real listener questions you’ve probably wondered yourself but never asked

Digestive health can feel uncomfortable to talk about, but it doesn’t have to be. Our goal is to make it easier to understand, easier to discuss, and easier to take action.

Have a question or story? Submit it on social and don’t hold it in.

Follow us and message us:

Instagram: @birminghamgastro

TikTok: @birminghamgastro

Facebook: Birmingham Gastroenterology

If you’re 45 or older, or experiencing symptoms, talk to your doctor about colon cancer screening. It could save your life.

For more information on Birmingham Gastroenterology, visit bgapc.com.