Managing irregular and often painful bowel symptoms involves much more than accommodating minor inconveniences. The challenges are many, and effective treatments few. Travel, whether for leisure or work, can be very difficult for those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The uncertainty of when and where symptoms may occur can cause fear of not being able […]
What are the causes of IBS? For many people, IBS is a long-term (chronic) condition that involves ongoing episodes of abdominal pain or discomfort linked to changes in their bowel movements. Some individuals—especially those whose symptoms began after a bout of food poisoning or traveler’s diarrhea (known as post-infectious IBS)—may see gradual improvement over time. […]
Patient Perspective on Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea (IBS-D) Presented by Lisa Strykowski Lisa Strykowski Watch presentation here Presentation Overview Around 1999, when Lisa was 19 years old, she started experiencing IBS-D symptoms, which included diarrhea, nausea, urgency, cramping, bloating, tiredness, and migraines. Her gut would flare up a few times a week, mostly in […]
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 […]
Here are answers to some common questions about bellyaches How can I tell if my child is faking a bellyache?Assume the bellyache is real. How is a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder different from a disease?In this context, pain associated with disease is caused by anatomic abnormalities, inflammation, and/or tissue destruction. Functional pains are caused by […]
Pseudo-Obstruction Defined Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIP) is a rare disorder of gastrointestinal motility where coordinated contractions (peristalsis) in the intestinal tract become altered and inefficient. When this happens, nutritional requirements cannot be adequately met. “Motility” is the term used to describe the contraction of muscles in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. To facilitate normal digestion and […]
An Online Study Conducted by the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders View the Survey Document Key Findings Over half of responders would be willing to take 11 or more years off their life expectancy to ensure perfect health. Impact on health: When asked about their current state of health, on a scale of 0 being […]
Diagnosis of gastroparesis (GP) may begin with various tests. This will determine if there is anything preventing the stomach from emptying properly. These tests will find if the GP symptoms are caused by another condition. This may include: imaging tests (such as CT scans or x-rays) blood tests upper endoscopy an ultrasound, which uses sound […]
Bowel training or retraining refers to behavioral programs designed to help people with bowel disorders establish or reestablish control. Individuals with symptoms of inability to control bowel movements, incomplete emptying, or chronic constipation may benefit from these programs. Bowel retraining works by teaching new skills or strategies to develop a routine and predictable schedule for […]
Symptoms of gastroparesis can be so severe in some people with the condition that they cannot adequately manage with dietary changes and medications. Disabling symptoms can significantly diminish quality of life in people. Persistent symptoms resistant to treatment (refractory) sometimes result in life-threatening dehydration, loss of essential minerals (electrolyte imbalances), and malnutrition requiring hospitalizations. Special […]