Digestive Health Monthly

Because Digestive Health Matters

International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders November 2024 eNewsletter

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Awareness Week is recognized during the week of November 24th-30th. GERD is one of the most common GI disorders in the United States, affecting 1 in 5 people.

GERD is known to cause symptoms like reflux, regurgitation, and heartburn. For some, these symptoms are mild and can be controlled with over-the-counter medications or lifestyle changes. For others, symptoms can be severe enough to warrant a visit to the emergency room. Around 5 million people are admitted to the hospital every year for chest pains, some of which are likely due to unsuspecting GI issues. Though symptoms like heartburn and indigestion can be common, heartburn that occurs more than once a week or wakes you up from sleep may indicate a more serious underlying condition such as GERD.

To recognize GERD Awareness Week, IFFGD will launch a campaign to emphasize the importance of understanding GERD symptoms, triggers, and treatments available to help individuals find relief and improve their quality of life. We encourage you to get involved by using the hashtags #GERDAwarenessWeek and #ManageGERD.

GERD Awareness Week Toolkit

This year's GERD Awareness Week media toolkit is available online. We've put together a series of resources including social media images, statistics, key messaging, and more.

We invite you to join us in raising awareness and sharing content from our toolkit with your network. Click here to get started.

Tips for Managing GI Symptoms During the Holidays

The holidays can be a challenge for those living with GI disorders. Between large helpings of food, the stress of travel, and the chaos of family get togethers, there’s plenty involved to trigger symptoms.

Whether you’re looking for tips to control holiday heartburn, ways to practice self-care or travel tips, we have put together a guide to help you navigate this holiday season.

Click the button below to learn more.

Tips for Managing GI Symptoms During the Holidays

How to Communicate with Your Healthcare Provider

It’s important to understand the challenges faced by both patients and providers working to diagnose FGIDs. FGIDs are characterized by somewhat vague descriptions of symptoms varying in severity which can be difficult for a patient to describe to a provider. FGIDs often exist without physical or structural abnormalities which can lead to difficulties in diagnosing the problem.

There are certain things to keep in mind when preparing for your visit. Click the button below to learn more about how to work with your provider.

How to Communicate with Your Healthcare Provider

5 Minutes in GI

Join us as we sit down with Dr. Iris Wang for the November edition of ‘5 Minutes in GI’. Dr. Wang shares information on pelvic floor dysfunction and when it should cause concern.

Click the button below to watch the latest edition.

5 Minutes in GI

Prescription Quest

IFFGD recently learned of a service, Prescription Quest, that may help find needed medication. We are sharing this information as a potential resource for the GI patient community.

Prescription Quest is an online platform that allows you to search by medication name and zip code to locate pharmacies that have the medication.

Prescription Quest can help save you time and make it easier to get the medications that you and your loved ones.

Prescription Quest

RESEARCH CORNER

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:

IBS

Votatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Active Inflammatory Bowel Disease (VOC)

Gut Microbiome

"Mediterranean-like Unprocessed (CLEAN-MED) Diet Intervention Study of the Gut Microbiome of Health Adults"

FGIDs

Validation of a mental well-being scale for young people with chronic stomach symptoms

November Spotlight

Patient Advocate and Health Policy Professional: Julia Grabo

Julia Grabo is a health policy consultant working in Washington, DC. In her role, she produces comprehensive analysis of federal healthcare policy and helps organizations craft strategies to achieve their advocacy goals. Julia began working with IFFGD as a patient advocate in the fall of 2023. Since then, her involvement has expanded and led her to use her policy expertise to support the execution of IFFGD’s 2024 Hill Day. This event gave patient advocates from across the country an opportunity to speak to their Representatives and Senators in DC and urge them to support federal legislation that would spur research and help patients.

Julia’s passion for healthcare advocacy has only grown since her gastroparesis diagnosis in 2023. Connecting with IFFGD has provided Julia with valuable resources and empowered her to speak about her experience as a patient. Outside of her work, Julia loves to spend time with her dogs, play NYT games, and cook creative dishes for sensitive stomachs.

Donate

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.

IFFGD | 414-964-1799 | iffgd@iffgd.org | www.iffgd.org

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