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Because Digestive Health Matters |
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders July 2022 eNewsletter |
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Greetings!
Gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses are some of the most commonly experienced disorders, with around 60-70 million people affected. If GI disorders are so common, why do so many people know so little about them?
This gap between the patient/medical community and the public has existed for some time, prompting organizations such as IFFGD to provide resources and information to bridge that gap. We want people to understand these disorders, their symptoms, and how to manage and treat them. We want to provide patients and the public with reliable information that can be used to educate yourselves and others.
In this month's edition of Digestive Health Matters, we invite you to explore the variety of resources IFFGD offers on various topics and let us know what you want to see featured in the upcoming editions.
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The Nancy and Bill Norton Patient Education Series Event: Irritable Bowel Syndrome Edition was a free 1-day event that featured live educational presentations for patients and others impacted by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). If you were not able to attend the event but are still interested in the presentations, view our pre-recorded stream available on our Youtube page. |
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In collaboration with Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, IFFGD hosted an in-person Norton Education Series (NES): Irritable Bowel Syndrome Edition on April 23, 2022 in Chicago, IL.
The Nancy and Bill Norton Patient Education Series (NES) is a program created by IFFGD, as a tribute to our founders and their tremendous work for patients and the gastrointestinal (GI) community.
Click here to watch the program in its entirety or to view specific sections. |
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Formerly known as Functional Abdominal Pain Syndrome (FAPS), Centrally Mediated Abdominal Pain Syndrome (CAPS) is characterized by chronic or frequently recurring abdominal pain.
Since CAPS is a functional disorder, there are no abnormal x-rays or laboratory findings to explain the pain. This condition is less common than IBS or other functional GI disorders and has no relationship to events such as eating or defecation.
CAPS occurs due to altered sensitivity to the nerve impulses in the gut and brain rather than being associated with altered gut function. Normally, nerve impulses travel from the abdomen to the spinal cord and then onto various parts of the brain.
In people with CAPS, the nervous system is unable to regulate the pain signals for the GI tract. The nerves become overly sensitive, resulting in small intestinal disturbances becoming amplified and causing pain.
For more information on CAPS and the gut-brain axis, click the button below.
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Have you ever wondered what ‘FDA approved’ really means? If so, you aren’t alone.
The FDA is a government organization that is responsible for protecting public health.
They monitor a variety of different products, including human drugs and biological products, animal drugs, medical devices, tobacco products, food, cosmetics, and electronic products that emit radiation.
FDA experts review these products for safety, quality, and effectiveness before they can be released to the public.
For more information on the review process as well as what the agency does and does not regulate, click the button below.
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Upcoming Events
A Unique Charitable Event with Achievable Goals for All
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This event is designed for all- anyone that wants to participate, can participate. The goals of this event are meant to go beyond physical fitness with a variety of activities focusing on wellness and self-care. These range from exploring GI pages on our website to donating to a nonprofit or reading a new book. Find the full list of self-care activities here.
When you register, you have an opportunity to join a team. We encourage participants to create a team with other friends or family members or join an existing one to meet new people. Individuals and teams have the opportunity to win medals, certificates and IFFGD swag if you manage to top the leaderboard.
Click here to learn more about or to register for this year's Virtual Wellness and Walk Event. #Moves4GIhealth22
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With the help of patients, caregivers, and our Industry Council, IFFGD created a survey to better understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the GI population.
We aim to provide lawmakers, healthcare providers, and industry partners valuable information which will help guide future decisions about patient care.
The survey will take approximately 7 minutes to complete.
Click the button below if you wish to participate and click here to check out IFFGD's current surveys. |
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With summer in full swing and vacations just around the corner, it is important to know how to fly with feeding tubes, medications, or other medical supplies related to your GI disorder.
This page will help you navigate the TSA screening checkpoints, go over medication requirements, and give you an option to contact passenger support if you have more questions.
Click the button below to watch our 2021 Advocacy event virtual interview with members of the TSA for more travel tips.
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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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Translumbosacral neuromodulation therapy for FI: Randomized Trial |
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Longitudinal Study of the Porphyrias |
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Originally from Chicago, Dr. Michael Stolar, 81, is retired and lives in suburban Washington, DC.
He practiced hospital and community pharmacy while in graduate school at the University of Illinois, from which he received MS and PhD degrees in pharmaceutical science.
Following graduate school, he joined the staff of the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists (ASHP). He spent 13 years there during which he was responsible for ASHP’s practice guidelines, national practice surveys, pharmacy department workload measurement systems, and pharmacy quality assurance and drug usage educational programs.
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Leaving ASHP, he spent several years with a small company that developed systems for compiling drug usage and expenditure data in hospitals and analyzing these data for participating hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry.
Dr. Stolar then accepted a position as Vice President, Scientific Affairs of the American Diabetes Association where he managed a national series of continuing medical education (CME) programs for primary care physicians, developed the association’s clinical guidelines and administered its research grant program.
In 1992, he was invited to become the 3rd staff member of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), spending 23 years there as Senior Vice President. (At his retirement in 2015, the organization had 100 staff.) While at AGA, at various times he worked with its physician members to develop AGA’s clinical practice guidelines, and managed its CME conferences and courses, medical/scientific publications, international relations, industry relations and corporate sponsorships, and research grant and recognition award programs. For many years, he had overall responsibility for AGA’s annual scientific meeting—Digestive Disease Week. In many of these activities he worked closely with Dianne Bach, IFFGD’s treasurer.
After retiring, Dr. Stolar worked with Dianne and Ceciel Rooker, IFFGD President, on a project for the Rome Foundation. When Ceciel became President of IFFGD, he collaborated with her and Dianne to renew and run the IFFGD Industry Council. In 2021 he was invited to join the IFFGD Board of Directors.
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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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