116 – Doctor – Patient Communication
Functional GI disorders present a special challenge to the doctor-patient interaction for several reasons. First, functional GI disorders are characterized, in most cases, by vague symptoms of variable intensity. Many times, these symptoms involve the most intimate anatomic areas of the body. The sensitivity of these issues can complicate the task for the patient who needs to express them in terms that the physician can interpret to formulate a diagnosis. Secondly, the physician is hampered by the absence of obvious structural lesions that often lessens the likelihood of devising a specific medical intervention that is successful. In some cases, the physician’s own anxiety can be increased by the lack of a symptom complex that leads to well-understood disease entity, such as parasites or lactose intolerance. This deficiency, in turn, often leads both physician and patient to over-investigate the symptoms. So what are the ingredients that comprise successful doctor-patient communication about the functional GI disorders?
221- The Medical History: How to Help Your Doctor Help You
The most important interaction between patient and doctor is the medical history. Through listening to the story of the patient’s illness and asking relevant questions, a physician may often make a diagnosis, or at least begin to understand the nature and location of the complaint. A few easy steps can help make this process more efficient leading to prompt, more precise diagnosis and treatment. Revised January 2012.
231 – Can Intense Exercise Lead to GI Symptoms?
Can exercise be linked to GI symptoms such as diarrhea or heartburn? This article will help you understand how exercise and associated factors can influence the GI tract.
206 -Health Reporting in the Media: What to Believe?
Most people learn of medical progress through the media. Yet this news is often unhelpful. Exaggerated cures, contradictions, and plainly misleading information can do harm. The problem is not science, but how journalists report it, and how the public interprets it. This essay aims to help readers make sense of health news. Reviewed 2009.
Choosing Apps for Managing Chronic GI Illness
In this episode of Exploring Gut Topics, we speak with William Chey, MD, Satish Rao, MD, and Amanda Lynett, RDN, to discuss apps designed to help patients manage chronic gastrointestinal illnesses and monitor GI motility. IFFGD does not endorse any of the apps listed below; however, we want patients to know what apps are available […]
Sara’s Personal Story
Sara’s Personal Story: Functional Dyspepsia and IBS I have suffered with chronic severe mental issues for 16 years. I’m 21 now. As of January 2020, I have been suffering severe abdominal pain associated with Functional Dyspepsia and IBS. Every day is like hell. I can barely fall asleep due to the immense pain I’m in. […]
Supplements for IBS
Supplements for IBS: What is the evidence?, William Chey Many patients turn to supplements for managing Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGIDs), but what does the science say? In this presentation, Dr. William Chey explores the role of supplements and probiotics in digestive health. Learn which supplements may be beneficial for IBS, what research supports their use, […]
Anonymous Personal Story
Anonymous Personal Story: Managing IBS, Functional Dyspepsia, and GERD I have been reading these stories for years, thank you to all who shared. Time to give back. IBS-like symptoms around age 18: bloating, gassiness, diarrhea, constipation, smelly and excessive gas. At age 24, I started having severe stomach pains, elevated heart rate, and sinus […]
Jerri’s Personal Story
Jerri’s Personal Story: GERD For the past few months I had been having a problem swallowing my saliva. I webt to my doctor a few weeks ago and she said it was acid reflux. So i thought ok i can just take some otcs and I’ll be ok. Wrong!! I didn’t realize how much this […]
Amanda’s Personal Story
Amanda’s Personal Story: Overcoming Lifelong GI Struggles with GERD I am a 24-year-old female. Throughout my childhood I suffered with constant GI problems. My parent’s told me that when I was a baby I could projectile vomit like you would not believe. As long as I could remember, I would throw up almost daily. It […]
Annie’s Personal Story
Annie’s Personal Story: Lifelong Struggle with Hiatal Hernia and Digestive Troubles I’ve experienced burping and digestive problems for my entire life. All foods seem to cause it, with the exception of water. I eat vegetables and fruit and small amounts of protein daily. Many years ago I was told by my MD that I had […]
Jenny’s Personal Story
Jenny’s Personal Story: Heartburn After Abdominal Surgery and Adhesions I had PID and that infection spread to create an abdominal abscess. Had hysterectomy & intestinal adhesions corrected(taken out & cut apart as they were all stuck together) Since then, it’s been heartburn every day. Started w/onions & sugar triggering it. I was 35. Now 63 […]