|
|
Because Digestive Health Matters |
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders July 2021 eNewsletter |
|
|
Greetings!
Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are common, in fact, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK) states that 60 to 70 million people are affected by digestive disorders. GI disorders are complex conditions that require long-term care and are often misdiagnosed and incorrectly treated.
IFFGD aims to bridge the information gap by providing a wide range of reliable information to help you better understand and manage the symptoms.
This month we invite you to take a look at some of the resources that IFFGD provides and let us know what you would like to see more of.
|
|
|
|
The digestive system, also known as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, plays a significant role in our overall health. Its job is to receive food and break it down into essential elements, making them available to the body. Often, this function can be disrupted by many factors.
People living with chronic GI conditions may experience a host of uncomfortable symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, indigestion, and more.
In May, we were joined by lead host Lauren Cornell, MS, RD, for our monthly #DDHChat on Twitter. We discussed GI Health Management Tips during this chat and how to overcome challenges when dealing with GI symptoms.
Click here to read the recap of out May #DDHChat.
|
|
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a recall on Metformin HCI Extended-Release Tablets - USP 750 mg by Viona Pharmaceuticals.
Viona Pharmaceuticals recalls 2 (two) lots of Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets - USP 750 mg because it has been found to contain levels of Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) impurities above acceptable daily limits.
According to the FDA, it could be dangerous for patients with this serious condition to stop taking their Metformin without first talking to their healthcare professionals.
Click below for more information on this recall.
|
|
Those who live with a chronic gastrointestinal disorder face many obstacles throughout their illness journey. During the tough, dark times, some of us are lucky and have someone that will step in without hesitation to provide support.
We call those individuals Allies.
The 2021 IFFGD Ally Award allows the gastrointestinal community to take a moment to thank and acknowledge those who go above and beyond to ensure the needs of a patient living with gastrointestinal disorders are met.
An Ally can be a partner, caregiver, sibling, parent, other family member, friend, healthcare provider, teacher, student, boss, coworker, or any other person that you feel has gone above and beyond to support you.
Click below to nominate your Ally by August 31st.
|
|
To commemorate the 30th anniversary of IFFGD, we will be hosting a very special virtual edition of the Norton Education Series (NES).
The Nancy and Bill Norton Patient Education Series Event: IFFGD’s Thirtieth Anniversary Edition is a free virtual two-day event that will include medical education sessions and open panel discussions.
The Open Panel Discussion sessions will include presentations from healthcare providers and patients, as well as, recorded discussions between the speakers on the panel. The sessions will cover short bowel syndrome (SBS) and intestinal failure, bacteria in the GI tract (SIBO and H. Pylori), nausea and vomiting and more.
Click here to learn more about the event and register!
|
|
Call for Names: IFFGD Patient and Caregiver Acknowledgment Wall |
During the Nancy and Bill Norton Patient Education Series Event and the Virtual Ally Award Gala, we would like to remember those we have lost to GI disorders and honor those who are still in the fight.
Hearts are to honor those still living with a GI disorder, and candles are to remember those we have lost to GI disorders. Please submit their first name, last initial and age (you can submit as many as possible).
To acknowledge these individuals, email their information no later than Friday, October 1st, 2021 using this link.
Once we have received all submissions, we will create a short video with all of the hearts and candles to present during the Nancy and Bill Norton Patient Education Series Event and Virtual Ally Award Gala.
|
|
The 30th Anniversary Digestive Health Virtual Walk, Make Moves for GI Health, is a unique fitness event that goes far beyond a typical virtual walk. The event will span two weeks in August, during Gastroparesis Awareness Month.
It will provide the opportunity for participants to engage at their own pace and as their health and schedules permit. This event also includes self-care goals for those who may not be able to participate in the fitness portion of the event. Each participant will receive fundraising and mileage goals to encourage active participation and progress throughout the event.
To honor the thirty years of IFFGD’s existence, the overall campaign goal is for all participants to collectively walk 10,950 miles over two weeks. This number represents the number of days IFFGD has been a non-profit serving the GI community.
Event registration begins Saturday, July 10th click here for registration and event information. |
|
Each part of our small intestine performs a vital role in nutrient absorption.
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) is typically defined as excess bacteria in the small intestine.
For people living with SIBO, symptoms occur after eating because the bacteria in the intestine begin to consume the food in the small intestine before it can be absorbed.
Common symptoms associated with SIBO
• Chronic diarrhea
• Bloating
• Abdominal swelling
• Gas and belching
•Abdominal pain or fullness after eating
Click below to learn more about how SIBO is diagnosed and treated.
|
|
August is Gastroparesis Awareness Month.
This year, IFFGD will raise awareness to humanize this commonly misunderstood and often misdiagnosed condition by highlighting patient stories throughout the month. #ThisIsGP — the theme for Gastroparesis Awareness Month 2021, provides an opportunity for patients living with gastroparesis to share their stories and experiences with others worldwide.
During Gastroparesis Awareness Month, IFFGD invites patients to share their stories of living with gastroparesis using #ThisIsGP on all social media platforms.
IFFGD’s Gastroparesis Awareness Month materials include a media toolkit with data and key messaging to post on social media, ways to get involved in your community, one campaign poster, one website banner, and thirty-six social media images.
Click below to download the official Gastroparesis Awareness Month material from IFFGD.
|
|
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:
|
|
IFFGD has an Advisory Board that is made up of 60 medical professionals from various disciplines representing the USA and ten other countries. Many of these individuals are noted experts in the field of functional gastrointestinal disorders. This month we would like to recognize our new advisory board member, Dr. Nick Talley.
Laureate Professor Nick Talley is currently the Director of the Centre of Research Excellence in Digestive Health at the University of Newcastle, Australia. He is an expert clinician, educator and researcher, with extensive experience as a leader in the medical and University sectors. He holds current formal academic appointments at Mayo Clinic, University of North Carolina and the Karolinska Institute.
He previously held an appointment as Pro Vice-Chancellor of Global Research from 2015-2019 and Pro Vice-Chancellor (and Dean) of the Faculty of Health and Medicine at the University of Newcastle from 2010-2015, and was seconded to be the Deputy Vice-Chancellor-Research (Acting) at the University of Newcastle from June 2013 to March 2014.
|
|
|
Dr. Talley is a neurogastroenterologist and highly successful original investigator funded in the past by NIH and currently by NHMRC. His focus has been on research translation, and in recent years the work has concentrated on subtle gut inflammation, the microbiome and unexplained gut symptoms. Nick has published over 1,000 papers in the peer-reviewed literature, and is considered one of the world’s most influential clinician-researchers (H-index of 170, Scopus 2018). He is listed on Google Scholar as Australia’s most cited academic with now more than 101,730 citations (Google Scholar, November 2018), and has been listed in the past among the top 400 most highly cited living biomedical researchers. He has attracted funding more than AUD$15 million dollars in the 5 years.
Dr. Talley is the Editor-in-Chief of the Medical Journal of Australia (since 2015). He is also a leading medical educator and the author of the highly regarded textbooks Clinical Examination and Examination Medicine. In June 2014, Dr. Talley was inaugurated as one of the first 15 Fellows of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (FAHMS) and was elected to the Executive of the Academy.
|
|
Dr. Talley is a Senior Staff Specialist and gastroenterologist at John Hunter Hospital and attends clinic and endoscopy lists on a weekly basis. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (and Past President 2014-2016), the Royal College of Physicians (both London and Edinburgh), the American College of Physicians, the American College of Gastroenterology and the American Gastroenterological Association. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. |
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
