Dr. Anish Sheth, the Chief of Gastroenterology at The University Medical Center of Princeton, is here to answer some of our audience’s most embarrassing medical questions.
Will a Waist Trainer Help Me Lose Weight?
Celebrities and normal people alike are using a girdle-like device called a “waist trainer” to help slim their waistline. But can they really help you lose weight? The short answer: no. Dr. Sheth says that it could help you narrow your waistline temporarily by reducing water weight in that area, but it won’t assist you in permanently losing weight.
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How Can I Avoid Being Gassy and Bloated?
A Doctor Answers Embarrassing Medical Questions
Everyone passes gas -- an average of 13-21 times per day per person, in fact. Dr. Sheth says certain foods like broccoli, lettuce, red wine and coffee can contribute to gassiness. But if your diet is good, and you’re still gassy, you could have bacterial overgrowth (or SIBO: small intestine bacterial overgrowth). He says your doctor can do a simple test to determine if this is the case. If so, eating yogurt and taking probiotics can help.
Can Dairy Cause Joint Pain?
Dr. Sheth says that inflammation in your intestines can cause “leaky gut syndrome” which can lead to lots of health issues, including joint pain. Since dairy can contribute to inflammation, he suggests avoiding it for two to three weeks to see if that helps. If it doesn’t, he says you should see your doctor about another cause.
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