226 – Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Heartburn, Dyspepsia: What’s the Difference?
The anatomical diseases Crohn’s, peptic ulcer, and esophagitis have functional counterparts with some similar symptoms; irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), dyspepsia, and functional heartburn, but these cannot be identified by x-ray or gastroscopy. Thus, for the diagnosis of these functional disorders doctors must rely entirely upon the patient’s description of his or her symptoms.
234- A Noisy Tummy: What Does it Mean?
While seldom of medical importance, for some people a rumbling, growling stomach can be a source of profound embarrassment. Picturesquely dubbed “borborygmi,” bowel sounds seem loudest to the owner, who is sometimes mistakenly convinced they are obvious to all. This article explains the causes of bowel sounds, discusses when the sounds become a cause for medical concern, and offers some tips that may help reduce bowel noises.
501 – GERD Brochure
This publication provides an in-depth overview of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) including information about the nature of GERD, how to recognize the disease, and how to treat it. Written in collaboration by IFFGD and physicians noted for their knowledge about GERD. Newly revised and updated 2010.
Also available offline as a glossy color brochure (3.5″ x 8.5″). Contact IFFGD for details.
524 – Confusing or Ambiguous Upper Gut Symptoms
By choosing the appropriate test, a doctor can make a precise diagnosis of a structural upper gut disorder, such as esophagitis or peptic ulcer, by recognizing the diseased area through testing. The patient’s history provides the information that permits the doctor to choose the right test. In the case of the disorders of gastrointestinal function, such as dyspepsia or non-cardiac chest pain, there is no structural abnormality and no diagnostic test. Hence diagnosis of these disorders depends even more upon how the patient describes his or her symptoms. But many people use words to describe symptoms that are vague or misliading to a doctor. Examples are explained – such as indigestion, gas, nausea, chest pain, or vomiting.
513 – What Else Can We Attribute to GERD?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is commonly discussed in the pages of the IFFGD publication, Digestive Health Matters. Therefore readers will be familiar with the common consequences of acid from the stomach refluxing upwards into the unprotected esophagus. These include heartburn, unexplained chest pain (non-cardiac chest pain), and inflammation and scarring of the lower esophagus (esophageal stricture) leading to swallowing difficulty. However, this article deals with several seldom-described consequences of GERD that are not rare and which can cause great distress in their own right: sore throat, cough; nocturnal choking; aspiration pneumonia; asthma; acid laryngitis; dental erosions; reflux dyspareunia are discussed. Reviewed and updated 2009.
237-Dyssynergic Defecation: Questions and Answers About a Common Cause of Chronic Constipation
Constipation affects nearly everyone at some point in their lives. Constipation that occurs now and then may result from many factors such as dietary changes, some medicines, or inactivity or travel and will generally respond to simple lifestyle measures. But constipation that is long-lasting or keeps coming back (chronic) may require more effort to diagnose and treat. When that happens, a trip to the doctor is in order to find out the cause and develop a treatment plan.
239-Is Constipation and Bloating Related to Menstrual Periods?
This Clinical Corner article discusses how constipation and bloating are affected by menstruation, especially in women with IBS, and offers some tips for controlling the bowel symptoms and the pain.
105 – Functional Diarrhea – Some Answers to Often Asked Questions
Overview of functional diarrhea, including answers to the following questions: What is diarrhea? What are functional bowel disorders? Is functional diarrhea the same as irritable bowel syndrome? What is the cause of functional diarrhea? What treatments are available for functional diarrhea? Revised and updated 2009.
179- Difficult to Interpret Intestinal Symptoms
Disorders of gastrointestinal function such as the irritable bowel syndrome or functional constipation, diarrhea, or bloating are characterized by no structural abnormality. In these cases, diagnosis depends entirely upon the history, and diagnostic tests, if needed at all, are done to rule out inflammations, tumors and other anatomic gut disease. Accurate diagnosis depends upon how accurately the individual describes his or her symptoms, and how skillfully the doctor interprets them. Reviewed and updated 2009.
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.
141-Chronic Functional Abdominal Pain
People with functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders can have a variety of symptoms that range from painless diarrhea or constipation, to pain associated with diarrhea and/or constipation (usually called irritable bowel syndrome). There is another, less common condition of abdominal pain that is chronic or frequently recurring; it is not associated with changes in bowel pattern. This condition is called functional abdominal pain syndrome. Cause and treatment is discussed.
