KARACHI: The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), one of Pakistan’s leading academic healthcare institutions, is set to host a public awareness and education session focusing on the growing global concern of digestive health disorders linked to stress, diet, and lifestyle patterns.
The live session, titled “Stress, Diet, and Gut Health – Ask Our Experts LIVE,” will be held on Thursday, 21 May 2026 at 4:00 pm and streamed on Facebook Live as part of AKUH’s ongoing “Expert Talks” series.
The session will feature two medical experts:
Dr Shahab Abid, Consultant Gastroenterologist, and Ms Tooba Ali, Registered Dietitian, who will jointly address how modern lifestyle factors contribute to digestive system dysfunction.
Growing global concern over gut health disorders
Medical research has increasingly highlighted the connection between gut health and factors such as chronic stress, irregular eating patterns, and poor dietary habits. Conditions such as bloating, acidity, abdominal discomfort, irregular bowel movements, and loss of appetite are now widely recognized as common symptoms linked to lifestyle-related digestive imbalance.
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According to healthcare professionals, the gut is closely connected to the nervous system through what is often referred to as the gut-brain axis, meaning psychological stress can directly influence digestive function.
What the experts will discuss
During the interactive session, AKUH specialists will explain:
• How stress impacts digestion and gut function
• The role of diet and nutrition in maintaining digestive health
• Common gastrointestinal symptoms and their possible causes
• Evidence-based lifestyle changes that support gut balance
• Preventive strategies for improving long-term digestive wellbeing
The experts will also respond to live questions from participants, making the session an interactive public health education forum aimed at improving awareness of everyday digestive health concerns.
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Rising importance of preventive health education
Health specialists note that digestive disorders are becoming increasingly common in urban populations due to sedentary lifestyles, processed food consumption, sleep disruption, and elevated stress levels.
Institutions like AKUH have expanded public health education initiatives in recent years to bridge the gap between clinical expertise and community awareness, particularly in areas of preventive medicine and nutrition science.
Access for the public
The session will be available globally via Facebook Live, allowing participants to engage directly with specialists without requiring in-person attendance.
Experts emphasize that such initiatives play an important role in encouraging early awareness, healthier lifestyle choices, and better management of chronic digestive symptoms before they progress into more serious conditions.
AKUH’s Expert Talks series continues to serve as a platform for translating clinical knowledge into accessible public guidance, focusing on issues that directly affect daily health and wellbeing.
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