September marks the start of Chronic Pain Awareness Month- a time dedicated to recognizing the millions of individuals living with persistent, life-disrupting pain.

Chronic pain is typically defined as pain that lasts for six months or longer, either continuously or in recurring episodes. It’s a condition that affects between 30 to 50 million Americans, making it one of the most common reasons people seek medical care.

For those managing both chronic pain and gastrointestinal disorders, the burden can be especially heavy. The combination of ongoing pain and digestive symptoms can severely limit daily activities, strain relationships, and lead to isolation from friends and loved ones.

This month, we’re committed to breaking the stigma and silence surrounding chronic pain. By sharing educational resources and encouraging open dialogue, we hope to create a supportive space where patients feel empowered to speak up, share their stories, and advocate for better care.

For individuals living with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, the risk of malnutrition is especially high. Conditions like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, gastroparesis, short bowel syndrome, and IBS can all interfere with nutrient absorption and digestion if not carefully managed.

Join us this week as we spread awareness about the signs, risks, and impact of malnutrition, especially within the GI community.

Click here to explore educational resources and find out how you can get involved.

2025 Norton Education Series

The International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD), in collaboration with Harvard Medical School, is excited to share our newest edition of the Norton Education Series (NES): "Overview of Gastrointestinal Symptoms." This program is tailored to empower patients with knowledge and tools to manage their health effectively.

Delve into 22 expert-led talks addressing upper, middle, and lower GI tract symptoms, as well as identifying alarm symptoms.

Gain insights from Dr. Kyle Staller, Program Committee Chair and esteemed gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital.

This initiative is part of IFFGD's mission to provide patient-centered education, aiming to reduce healthcare utilization and enhance long-term health outcomes for individuals with chronic GI conditions.

Coming in early November. Stay tuned for more information.

IBS-D

Hydrogen Breath Test an Instrument to Predict Rifaximin-Response in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Predominant Diarrhea

GERD

Mechanistic and Clinical Outcomes of a Surgical Innovation Aimed at Minimizing GERD Associated With VSG (INNOVATE-VSG) (INNOVATE-VSG)

IBS

Exclude or Expose in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: What Works for Whom and How?

This journey fuels Sarah’s passion for advocating for improved patient-centered healthcare services for individuals affected by GI disorders. As the first Youth Representative of IFFGD, Sarah believes that young individuals should have a voice in healthcare policies and decisions that affect them. She aspires to become the voice she once lacked and also reminds fellow young individuals who have GI disorders that they're not alone.