Syndromic Testing
What is Syndromic Testing? A symptom is a part of a disease that presents in the patient (example: diarrhea), while a sign is a part of a disease that a healthcare provider can detect (example: jaundice). A syndrome is a group of signs and symptoms that usually happen together. Syndromic Testing can look for a […]
Acute Hepatic Porphyria (AHP)
Acute hepatic porphyria (AHP) is a group of rare genetic conditions that can cause severe, sudden (acute) symptoms. These symptoms can happen in various parts of the body and often require a hospital visit. There are four types of AHP which include: It is estimated that 5 in every 100,000 persons have AHP. Most people […]
Malabsorption
Malabsorption refers to decreased intestinal absorption of carbohydrate, protein, fat, minerals or vitamins. There are many symptoms associated with malabsorption. Weight loss, diarrhea, greasy stools (due to high fat content), abdominal bloating and gas are suggestive of malabsorption. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies resulting from malabsorption may cause glossitis (sore tongue), cheilosis (a fissuring and dry […]
Celiac Disease
Celiac Disease What You Need to Know Did you know more than 2 million Americans have celiac disease (CeD) but most of them don’t know it? What is celiac disease? CeD damages the small intestine. People with this disease can’t eat gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley and in some products such […]
Clostridioides Difficile Infection (CDI)
Clostridioides difficile infection or C. difficile is a bacterium that can infect the large bowel (or colon) and is a major cause of infectious colitis and diarrhea in healthcare settings around the world. Infectious colitis is redness, swelling, and inflammation of the colon. (It was formerly known as Clostridium difficile; however, was renamed after it […]
Radiation Induced Injury to the Colon and Rectum
Experiencing symptoms of diarrhea, urgency, incontinence, and rectal bleeding can be a significant source of stress that calls for consultation with a healthcare provider. Those individuals with a history of prior radiation therapy exposure need to disclose this to their doctor. Radiation induced symptoms must be considered as a potential source. Radiation therapy has been […]
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
What is inflammatory bowel disease? Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic irritation and ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract; Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the most common disorders. The disorders can develop in any age group but are usually diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 30. What is Crohn’s disease? The digestive […]
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBS affects up to 5-10% of individuals worldwide and affects children and adults of both genders. Although IBS does not shorten a person’s life span, it is associated with a large health care and economic burden. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder in which people have reoccurring issues with abdominal discomfort or pain that […]
Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction
The sphincter of Oddi is a muscular valve that controls the flow of digestive juices (bile and pancreatic juice) through ducts from the liver and pancreas into the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) describes the situation when the sphincter does not relax at the appropriate time (due to […]
Congenital Sucrase-Isomaltase Deficiency (CSID)
Congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency (CSID) is a genetic disorder that affects a person’s ability to digest certain sugars. People with this condition cannot break down the sugars sucrose and maltose, and other compounds made from simple sugar molecules (carbohydrates), which can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and other symptoms. Sucrose (a sugar found in fruits, and also […]
Working With a Healthcare Team for SBS
Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a complex, challenging condition for patients, caregivers, doctors, and other health specialists. Treatment of the condition involves life-long therapies and approaches that need to be closely monitored. Successful management of SBS depends most strongly on an informed patient and caregivers working closely with a supportive team of healthcare providers. Working […]
