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Diet – An Important 1st Step in IBS Treatment

Constipation is one of the most common intestinal problems in children, accounting for 3% to 5% of all visits to pediatricians. It is a symptom, not a disease. Fortunately, most constipation in infants and children is not caused by any serious medical disease. The cause of most constipation is functional or idiopathic, meaning there is […]

Question and Answer: Encopresis (Fecal Soiling) and Functional Fecal Retention Answer by: Paul E. Hyman, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics, Chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS Question My son was diagnosed with encopresis almost 2 years ago. My doctor thinks it is my fault my son has encopresis, saying I […]

Introduction Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a chronic disease marked by severe, recurrent episodes of nausea and vomiting in a person who is otherwise healthy.  CVS episodes often flip-flop with states of wellness. Vomiting may occur every 5-10 minutes for several hours during an episode. On average, CVS episodes last 3-7 days but vary with […]

Introduction Cancer of the colon and rectum remains one of the most deadly forms of cancer. It is the third most common cancer in the United States, yet it is quite curable by surgery when found in its early stages. Since it involves the lower gastrointestinal tract, treatment of colon and rectal cancer frequently affects […]

What is intestinal pseudo-obstruction? Intestinal pseudo-obstruction is a rare condition with symptoms like those caused by a bowel obstruction, or blockage. But when the intestines are examined, no blockage is found. Instead, the symptoms are due to nerve (visceral neuropathy) or muscle (visceral myopathy) problems that affect the movement of food, fluid, and air through […]

  Many otherwise healthy, active people suffer from incontinence or loss of bowel control. Fecal incontinence (FI) is also called bowel incontinence, and may also be called accidental bowel leakage. It strikes men and women of all ages and involves the involuntary loss of solid or liquid stool. Incontinence is a long-term, stressful, and limiting […]

Here are some common questions about GI disorders in children: How do I know if my child really has an upset stomach, or is trying to avoid going to school? Many school-age children never think about faking it; assume the bellyache is real. However, children and parents often forget that some bellyaches come from too […]

Symptom overlap is common among several functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. For instance, care must be taken not to confuse functional dyspepsia with other common disorders that may cause upper gastrointestinal distress, like heartburn, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), functional abdominal bloating, and functional biliary disorders. Functional dyspepsia is identified based on symptoms. […]

By Nancy J. Norton, Former President and Founder, International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) If you think fecal incontinence is a problem of old age, you are partly right. Although it does affect the elderly, people of all ages live with fecal incontinence. In fact, many older people have been trying to cope with […]

Tips to consider when finding a doctor Whether your doctor is a family doctor or a specialist (like a gastroenterologist), there are certain qualities to look for to help you get the care you need for your incontinence. Here is a checklist of questions to consider: Is your doctor sympathetic? Does he or she listen […]

Common Causes of Incontinence Continence depends on properly functioning muscles and nerves in and around the rectum and anal canal. Any condition that interferes with these complex mechanisms may result in incontinence. Examples of events or conditions that can affect continence and lead to bowel incontinence, or loss of bowel control, include: childbirth, constipation, diarrhea, […]