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Because Digestive Health Matters |
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders June 2023 eNewsletter |
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June is National Men's Health Month, a time to raise awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of diseases among men.
Did you know that, on average, men live 5 years less than women? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), men are also more likely to die from the top 10 leading causes of death, such as heart disease, cancer, and accidents. In fact, men are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as smoking and excessive drinking, which can increase their risk of developing chronic illnesses.
However, the good news is that many of these health issues are preventable with healthy lifestyle choices, regular check-ups, and early detection. This month, let's prioritize men's health and encourage the men in our lives to take charge of their health. Let's spread the word that prevention is key and that taking small steps can make a big difference.
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IFFGD is excited to welcome our newest additions to the 2023 Junior Academician Program.
IFFGD created the Junior Academicians program to engage junior clinicians and researchers to increase their interest in GI disorders. We hope that this will help to invigorate the field, raise awareness of IFFGD resources, and develop thoughtful leaders for the future.
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This year’s new additions include:
- Benjamin Liu
- Brian Surjanhata
- Bryan Curtin
- Dr. Daruish Shahsavari
- Elizabeth Barba Orozco
- Lalitha Sitaraman
- Luis Gerardo Alcala Gonzalez
- Mythili Pathipati
- Prashant Singh
- Rosita Frazier
- Saam Dilmaghani
- Sanskriti Varma
- Sophie Brigstocke
- Ting Zheng
Click the button below to learn more about our Junior Academicians Program.
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IBS Awareness Month may be over, but for millions of Americans, IBS isn’t something that just goes away. If you have a friend or family member with IBS, there are many ways to support them, one of which being education.
IFFGD teamed up with SMART University to create a comprehensive presentation on all things IBS, featuring interviews from two staff members. This presentation discusses an overview of IBS including what it is, statistics, common symptoms, and treatment options.
Later in the presentation, we get into the 2023 IBS Awareness Campaign, why it's important to get involved, and ways that the community can help raise awareness for Irritable bowel syndrome.
Click the button below to view this presentation.
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The scientific understanding of gastroparesis is ever evolving. There is still much to be learned about this disease and how best to manage and treat it.
When learning how to manage your gastroparesis symptoms with diet, it is always a good idea to work with a registered dietitian to ensure that you are meeting your proper nutritional requirements.
Most people with gastroparesis do well with small frequent meals 4-6 times a day. Eating meals that are low in fat and fiber tends to be best, as fat, fiber, and large meals can delay stomach emptying.
Click the button below to learn more about general dietary guidelines for gastroparesis.
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Event dates are Saturday, June 24, 2023 – Saturday, July 1, 2023
This is a charitable event to raise money to support gastrointestinal illness research. Like a traditional walk, participants register to be active to get credit for steps taken during the event. However, this event goes beyond a step goal by also awarding points to participants for self-care, wellness, and outreach activities.
Register now to join! Score points and move up the leaderboard by completing various wellness, self-care, traditional and non-traditional fitness activities. Participate by checking in on a friend, attending a virtual livestream exercise class, posting about the event on social media, or trying a new gut-friendly recipe.
The event dates are coming up quickly, so don't miss out on your chance to join the fun while raising money to support GI Illness research. #Moves4GIhealth23
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This year's NES presentation is a complimentary 1-day event that features live educational presentations for patients, families, and caregivers looking to learn more about the microbiome and its relation to the GI system.
The meeting will include activities, such as lectures, Q&A panels, and networking opportunities during the lunch break and the post-program reception (all attendees are welcome).
You do not want to miss this year's Norton Education Series that will be held Los Angeles, California on Saturday, October 7th, 2023 starting at 8:30 AM PT. The hotel location is the Beverly Hills Marriott at 1150 South Beverly Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90035.
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This year's complimentary 1-day event will feature live educational presentations for patients, families, and caregivers looking to learn more about the microbiome and its relation to the GI system.
Topics to Discuss:
- How Does Your Digestive System Work?
- The Gut Microbiome: What is it and Where do We Stand?
- Post infectious IBS: Road to Cure
- Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth: Diagnosis and Treatment
- Helicobacter pylori: Diagnosis and Treatment
- Speaker Panel Discussion and Q & A
Registration is now open. Click here to register and learn more about this event.
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Having to use a public bathroom with a GI disorder can be an ordeal, but can you imagine if every public restroom, including the handicapped stalls, were ill-equipped for your use?
This is the case for the 725,000 to 1 million Americans with ostomies and the 40,000 with IV-nutrition. These Americans face challenges when trying to use the restroom that can leave one feeling less independent or undignified.
One woman is on a mission to make public restrooms more accessible for those living with these medical conditions, and her name is Lynn. Lynn proposes a few changes to make restrooms more inclusive for those with disabilities. These changes include:
-a hook near the toilet
-a sink
-a medical waste disposal box
-a shelf
With these few modifications, going to the bathroom in a public place could be a lot easier for many Americans.
Click the button below to learn more about Lynn and how she is working to make a change in public restrooms.
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June is National Scleroderma Awareness Month. Scleroderma is a chronic connective tissue disease that affects the skin and internal organs, including the digestive system.
After the skin, the digestive system is the most commonly affected organ system in people with scleroderma. This can lead to symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. Scleroderma has also been known to affect the lower esophageal sphincter and cause GERD.
Click the button below to learn more about Scleroderma and how it can affect your GI system.
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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:
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Patient Survey- Powered by Gemelli Biotech |
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A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Proof of Concept Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Elezanumab in Acute Traumatic Cervical Spinal Cord Injury |
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Intersection of Sex and Gender Among Individuals with IBS |
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During Spring 2023, IFFGD worked with PhD and Public Health student Makenna Lenover to develop visual content for the aboutibs.org website, as well as IBS Awareness month. Makenna artfully distilled website content into informative infographics and patient handouts, which you can find throughout the website. These graphics seek to provide an additional resource for patients looking to learn about IBS and digest this information in a visual way. The infographics were also a core part of this year’s IBS Awareness Campaign. |
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Makenna is a PhD student in Anthropology, as well as a Master’s in Public Health student, at the Pennsylvania State University. She is also an IBS patient, which drives the passion in her work. Her dissertation research takes a biocultural approach to studying irritable bowel syndrome and seeks to understand how human evolution and contemporary behaviors contribute to the illness. As a public health student, she focuses on global health and chronic disease, and explores the social elements of health and wellness, particularly regarding digestive health. In her spare time, she’s a communications freelancer, and is particularly interested in health education and patient communication.
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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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