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Because Digestive Health Matters | International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders October 2025 eNewsletter | | | |
October marks Health Literacy Month, a time to spotlight the importance of making healthcare easier to understand and navigate for patients and caregivers. Clear, accessible health information plays a key role in building a more equitable healthcare system for all.
For individuals living with chronic gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, health literacy can be a lifeline. It often means becoming your own advocate- learning about symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment options to make informed decisions about your care.
Raising awareness of chronic GI conditions and the need for better health literacy shouldn’t be limited to just one month. By sharing resources and knowledge, we can help more people find the information they need to manage their GI health and explore available treatments.
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This year’s Virtual Digestive Health Wellness and Walk Event was our biggest one yet! Thanks to participants like you, we saw record numbers. We can’t wait for next year! Check out the stats below:
- Registered Participants: 1,066
- Supporters: 2,016
- Teams: 21
- Sponsors: 10
- Participants in 46 states & 3 countries
- Registration & Donations: $40,925
- Steps Taken: 26,161,593
- Wellness/Participation Points: 23,134,418
- Engagement Points: 89,785
- Scrapbook Posts: 548
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Living with a gastrointestinal (GI) condition can be overwhelming — but knowing how to advocate for yourself or a loved one can make a powerful difference in your care and quality of life.
In this video, we explore practical tips for advocating in the healthcare provider's office, within the healthcare system, and at the federal level.
Click below to watch the October edition of 5 Minutes in GI.
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In today’s digital age, lots of people turn to the Internet for answers about digestive issues including symptoms, treatments, motility disorders, etc. But not all information is equally reliable. As part of Health Literacy Month, it’s more important than ever to critically evaluate what you read online. Trustworthy health sites clearly identify who created the content, when it was last updated, and whether there’s any financial or commercial interest involved.
Watch out for sensational language, “miracle cures,” or secret ingredients, as these are often red flags. Before you act on anything you find, double-check with multiple reputable sources, and always discuss your findings with your healthcare provider. A little caution and common sense go a long way in managing GI health.
Learn more below.
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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. Brad Kuo and Dr. Kyle Staller, the Program Committee Chairs and esteemed gastroenterologists 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.
Click here for more information.
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This Health Literacy Month, technology can be one of your strongest allies when living with a chronic GI illness! There are several mobile apps designed to support people with GI disorders, featuring tools like stool diaries, symptom trackers, and diet-based apps.
While these apps can help you monitor symptoms, spot trends, and stay on top of your care, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice. Before choosing one, think about whether it protects your privacy, is easy to use, and whether it’s backed by credible health experts. Even free apps can be powerful when used thoughtfully. Partnering app data with conversations with your healthcare provider can make your management plan more personalized and proactive.
Click the button below to learn more.
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Preparing for Halloween with Congenital Sucrase-Isomaltase Deficiency (CSID) involves planning ahead to avoid foods with high sugar and starch content. Here are some tips:
1. Candy Alternatives: Choose low-sugar or sugar-free candies that are safe for CSID, such as those sweetened with stevia or erythritol.
2. Homemade Treats: Make your own CSID-friendly snacks, like sugar-free gelatin or cookies with alternative flours.
3. Focus on Fun: Engage in non-food activities like costume contests, pumpkin carving, or spooky movie marathons.
CSID can be a challenging disorder to live with. Those challenges only increase during candy-centric holidays like Halloween. Consider offering some low/sugar free alternatives so that all children can participate!
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Clinical trials and research studies help to improve our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of diseases and advance the development of new and better treatment options. By participating in a study, you can help further the advancement of research and learn more about your condition.
Here are 3 studies currently recruiting participants:
| | NAVIGATE - A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial of Chronic Nausea and Vomiting in Patients With Normal Gastric Emptying Using the Enterra® Therapy System | | Long-term Qualitative and Quantitative Outcomes of Children With Hirschsprung's Disease and Anorectal Malformations (ALOHA) | | Gut Microbiota in Chronic GI Diseases (ChronicGI) | | |
Dr. Elyse Thakur is a GI Psychologist and an Assistant Professor of Medicine (Gastroenterology) at Wake Forest University School of Medicine (Charlotte campus). She serves as the Director of Clinical Psychology at Atrium Health Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Her research is focused on complementary and integrative medicine practices for patients with chronic digestive conditions, particularly meditative movement practices.
Dr. Thakur serves as a Junior academician and is currently partnering with the IFFGD to develop complementary and integrative medicine resources for patients. She is excited to expand opportunities for patients and continue to expand access in this area.
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| Dr. Thakur has been awarded the American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society (Ironwood Diversity Development Award) for her project, “Adaptation of the Yoga Skills Training for Relief of Nausea and Vomiting in Patients with Functional Dyspepsia and Gastroparesis.” She looks forward to continuing to study yoga for GI patients and further develop this program. | |
IFFGD is a nonprofit organization. We rely on donor support to fund research and to provide reliable information and support to those affected by chronic gastrointestinal disorders.
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