This is the audio version of the MRP PPG Newsletter - Issue 49, May 2026

The main feature of this episode is the Third Anniversary of the Dementia Activity Group.

The newsletter also includes:

• A reminder of the late May Bank Holiday, and how to get support when the surgery is closed.
• Information about the B.E.A.T. event being held in Kidsgrove Town Hall in June.
• A link to the Help and Support links on the PPG website
• A request for patients to give their feedback in the Total Triage Survey.

These are the links referenced in the podcast:

Dougie Mac website - https://dougiemac.org.uk/dementia-services/

Link to the Help and Support page on the PPG website - https://www.kidsgrovegpsppg.co.uk/support

Total Triage Survey link - https://forms.gle/BxAvNnKUYq7ifot26

Access to the online NHS 111 service,

We are sure you will find the content both informative and enlightening, but as always, if you have any feedback or topics you would like us to cover in future episodes, please get in touch via our website http://mountroadpracticeppg.nhs.uk or email us at admin@kidsgrovegpsppg.co.uk.

Download the newsletter here - https://www.kidsgrovegpsppg.co.uk/current-newsletter

Subscribe to the PPG newsletter here - http://mountroadpracticeppg.nhs.uk/newsletter-registration

Don’t forget, you can also access any of our episodes on the podcast page of the PPG website - http://mountroadpracticeppg.nhs.uk/ppg-podcasts

More information about the PPG and its purpose can be found on the PPG website here - http://mountroadpracticeppg.nhs.uk/ppg-overview

If you have any questions or suggestions for topics for future podcasts, please email us at admin@kidsgrovegpsppg.co.uk

Understanding Your Gut is a patient-education podcast series for people experiencing common digestive symptoms, including:

• bloating
• abdominal discomfort
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• food-related gut symptoms
• IBS and functional bowel symptoms

The series is designed to explain gut symptoms in a simple, reassuring and evidence-based way.

Each episode is approximately 10 minutes long and focuses on helping patients understand:

• How the gut works
• why symptoms happen
• How food, stress, routine and gut sensitivity interact
• When symptoms are common and manageable
• and when medical review is important

Topics Covered in this episode: -

👉 Brain ↔ gut communication

👉 Stress = sensitivity + movement changes

👉 Symptoms are real, not “in your head”

Understanding Your Gut is a patient-education podcast series for people experiencing common digestive symptoms, including:

• bloating
• abdominal discomfort
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• food-related gut symptoms
• IBS and functional bowel symptoms

The series is designed to explain gut symptoms in a simple, reassuring and evidence-based way.

Each episode is approximately 10 minutes long and focuses on helping patients understand:

• How the gut works
• why symptoms happen
• How food, stress, routine and gut sensitivity interact
• When symptoms are common and manageable
• and when medical review is important

Topics Covered in this episode: -

👉• Regular meals

👉 Not arriving at evening starving 😉

👉 Portion size + spacing

👉 Fluids

👉 Fibre (gentle, not extreme)

Understanding Your Gut is a patient-education podcast series for people experiencing common digestive symptoms, including:

• bloating
• abdominal discomfort
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• food-related gut symptoms
• IBS and functional bowel symptoms

The series is designed to explain gut symptoms in a simple, reassuring and evidence-based way.

Each episode is approximately 10 minutes long and focuses on helping patients understand:

• How the gut works
• why symptoms happen
• How food, stress, routine and gut sensitivity interact
• When symptoms are common and manageable
• and when medical review is important

Topics Covered in this episode: -

👉Not “bad foods”

👉 It’s about:

o absorption

o overflow

o fermentation

Understanding Your Gut is a patient-education podcast series for people experiencing common digestive symptoms, including:

• bloating
• abdominal discomfort
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• food-related gut symptoms
• IBS and functional bowel symptoms

The series is designed to explain gut symptoms in a simple, reassuring and evidence-based way.

Each episode is approximately 10 minutes long and focuses on helping patients understand:

• How the gut works
• why symptoms happen
• How food, stress, routine and gut sensitivity interact
• When symptoms are common and manageable
• and when medical review is important

Topics Covered in this episode: -

👉 What controls bowel habits

👉 Constipation:

o slow movement

o medications

o low intake / irregular eating

👉 Diarrhoea:

o fast transit

o osmotic effect (unabsorbed carbs)

Understanding Your Gut is a patient-education podcast series for people experiencing common digestive symptoms, including:

• bloating
• abdominal discomfort
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• food-related gut symptoms
• IBS and functional bowel symptoms

The series is designed to explain gut symptoms in a simple, reassuring and evidence-based way.

Each episode is approximately 10 minutes long and focuses on helping patients understand:

• How the gut works
• why symptoms happen
• How food, stress, routine and gut sensitivity interact
• When symptoms are common and manageable
• and when medical review is important

Topics Covered in this episode: -

👉 Gas production = normal

👉 Why some people feel it more

👉 Role of:

• • fermentation
  • sensitivity

👉 Why “cutting everything out” isn’t the answer

Understanding Your Gut is a patient-education podcast series for people experiencing common digestive symptoms, including:

• bloating
• abdominal discomfort
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• food-related gut symptoms
• IBS and functional bowel symptoms

The series is designed to explain gut symptoms in a simple, reassuring and evidence-based way.

Each episode is approximately 10 minutes long and focuses on helping patients understand:

• How the gut works
• why symptoms happen
• How food, stress, routine and gut sensitivity interact
• When symptoms are common and manageable
• and when medical review is important

Topics Covered in this episode: -

👉 What diverticular disease actually is

👉 Over-restricting your diet

👉 Fear around eating

👉 Misunderstanding fibre

👉 When to seek medical advice.

Understanding Your Gut is a patient-education podcast series for people experiencing common digestive symptoms, including:

• bloating
• abdominal discomfort
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• food-related gut symptoms
• IBS and functional bowel symptoms

The series is designed to explain gut symptoms in a simple, reassuring and evidence-based way.

Each episode is approximately 10 minutes long and focuses on helping patients understand:

• How the gut works
• why symptoms happen
• How food, stress, routine and gut sensitivity interact
• When symptoms are common and manageable
• and when medical review is important

Topics Covered in this episode: -

👉weight loss

👉 blood in stool

👉 anaemia

👉 persistent change

👉 nocturnal symptoms

👉 fluctuating symptoms

👉 food-related bloating

👉 stress links