Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer, The University of Kansas Health System

• When we get nervous and feel like we want to throw up, that is an example of how our gut and brain work together.
• Our gut has a “second brain” that controls other parts of our body.
• This enteric nervous system requires more research, but it is a fascinating how it operates as a second brain.
• When you feel bad, it’s hard to keep the faith in your own self and your own body, but it’s the power of science combined with the power of hope that can really help deliver on the power of our own health.

Lindsey Parker, referred to GI specialist and therapist

• Since she was a kid, she had a “nervous stomach.”
• She felt like she had no control over her gut because anxiety was causing her to throw up in stressful situations.
• She thought it was her body’s way of telling her she was not able to deal with what was going on in her head.
• Lindsey said when you don’t listen to your body, your body has a way of making you listen.
• Therapy with Dr. Jackson helped her connect the dots between their physical and mental health, while learning coping strategies.
• She said it takes work to get it right, but it is worth it.

Dr. Mollie Jackson, gastroenterologist, The University of Kansas Health System

• Our gut has a lot of responsibility – it monitors and aids motility, how the GI tract works, absorption, digestion, and secretion of fluids.
• It plays an interesting role in endocrine hormone production and our immune response.
• Our brain and our gut are constantly communicating, and medicines are playing a bigger role in helping treat issues.
• If you are seeking help, hopefully you will be open minded to a multi-disciplinary approach that may include not only medications, but also behavioral health, nutrition guidance, or other lifestyle modifications and recommendations.

Dr. Tuba Esfandyari, gastroenterologist, The University of Kansas Health System

• In the “second brain” in the gut, there are 10 million nerve cells.
• The enteric nervous system in the gut interacts with the digestive system and responds to external stimuli.
• Stress affects the enteric nervous system similarly to the central nervous system, leading to discomfort and digestive issues.
• Visceral anxiety affects gut health, quality of life, and brain function.
• The anxiety we have from our daily activity is different from the anxiety in our gut.

Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director, Infection Prevention & Control, The University of Kansas Health System

• The nation is undergoing a substantial wave of COVID infections, and thankfully, immunity is helping keep hospitalizations down.
• Wastewater testing data is trending higher for COVID this summer than last summer, but hospitalizations are a lot lower.
• A new COVID vaccine booster should be out by September that better addresses the newer variant.
• The vaccines can help reduce severe disease and hospitalization.