Sophia’s bile acid diarrhoea (BAD) story
In 2024, a SeHCAT scan led to Sophia being diagnosed with bile acid diarrhoea (BAD). Sophia is keen to raise awareness of “invisible” digestive conditions, such as BAD, and ensure that nobody feels alone.
Posted: 23rd August 2019
Updated: 19th September 2019

As you may already know, Guts UK are organising their all new public awareness event: Exploring the Science of Digestion. This is a rare and exciting opportunity to learn more about the hidden world inside us all and hear from leading experts in a friendly and informative way. Click here to book your free tickets.
We’d like to introduce you to those who will be speaking on the day, the topics they’ll cover & their backgrounds.

Name: Cristian Costas
Profession: Specialist Gastroenterology Dietitian
Talk: What if it’s Coeliac Disease?
Cristian will be discussing a special interest area of his; Coeliac Disease. Cristian works at Bradford Royal Infirmary, and is also interested in Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Cristian will be busting myths surrounding Coeliac Disease and looks forward to raising awareness of the condition which is misunderstood by many.

Name: Dr Phil Smith
Profession: Consultant Gastroenterologist
Talk: Introduction & Living with Crohn’s Disease
As a much valued Guts UK trustee and gastroenterologist in Liverpool, Dr Smith will introduce the evening, discuss his journey to becoming a gastroenterologist and what it’s like living with Crohn’s disease.

Name: Julie Thompson
Profession: Specialist Gastroenterology Dietitian
Talk: IBS & Food: What do we know?
Julie Thompson is a dietitian in West Yorkshire with a real interest in IBS. She’ll be discussing to the condition that affects 10-20% of the population, IBS.

Name: Dr Varinder Athwal
Profession: Consultant Hepatologist (liver doctor) & Guts UK Researcher
Talk: The Liver: 500 Functions
Dr Athwal is a Guts UK funded researcher, and is currently conducting research into the incredible organ that is the liver. He works in Manchester and is also a clinical lecturer at the University of Manchester.
Dr Athwal’s talk will give attendees a brilliant overview into our liver and will touch on the incredible functions of the liver, but also what can go wrong.

Name: Professor Jon Rhodes
Profession: Professor & Consultant Gastroenterologist
Talk: Diet, Bugs & Gut Health: which 5-a-day?
Prof. Rhodes has recently been appointed as Guts UK’s chair, and we’re delighted that he’ll experience our all new Science of Digestion. Prof. Rhode’s career history as a consultant gastroenterologist in Liverpool makes him the perfect candidate to introduce us to the bacteria in our guts.
He’ll discuss good gut bacteria and what we can consume to help diversify the bacteria in our guts.
For more information and to book your free tickets for Science of Digestion hereGuts UK’s Science of Digestion Event is kindly supported by Love Your Gut, and it falls just before Love Your Gut Week, which takes place from 16-22nd September.
In 2024, a SeHCAT scan led to Sophia being diagnosed with bile acid diarrhoea (BAD). Sophia is keen to raise awareness of “invisible” digestive conditions, such as BAD, and ensure that nobody feels alone.
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