Greetings!

Welcome to the October 2019 eNewsletter of the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD)

October is Health Literacy Month. Increasing public knowledge surrounding chronic gastrointestinal (GI) disorders and becoming health literate about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options for these conditions are not only important this month but every month.

We encourage you to join us this month and share the resources that you use to learn more about your chronic gastrointestinal disorder.
October is Health Literacy Month
Did you know that functional gastrointestinal (GI) and motility disorders are the most common GI disorders in the general population?

Estimates vary, but about 1 in 4 people or more in the U.S. have one of these disorders . [1,2] The conditions account for about 40% of GI problems seen by doctors and therapists . [2]

To learn more about the different types of functional gastrointestinal disorders click here
On October 4th, Healio Gastroenterology announced its 2019 Heailo Disruptive Innovators Finalist. During the American College of Gastroenterology Annual Scientific Meeting (ACG-2019), Healio Gastroenterology will honor Disruptive Innovators in seven different categories.

The winner of each category will be recognized for their accomplishments and contributions to help advance the field of gastroenterology.

We are humbled yet excited to announce that IFFGD also made the finalist list again this year for Patient Voices. Without the support of many within the GI community being recognized as a finalist in this category, it would not be possible. Thank you to everyone for all of your support.

Please join us in congratulating the following
  • Clinical Innovation Award Finalist: IFFGD Sr. Advisory Board Member William D. Chey, MD, Michigan Medicine
  • Lifetime Disruptor Award Finalist: IFFGD Scientific Advisory Board Member Eamonn M. Quigley, MD, Houston Methodist
  • Social Media Influencer: IFFGD Collaborator Megan E. Riehl, Psyd, Michigan Medicine
  • Rising Disruptive Innovator Finalist: IFFGD Collaborator Jami Ann Rothe Kinnucan, MD, Michigan Medicine
Nutritional Support for People Living with an Ostomy
This month for our Diet and Digestive Health (#DDHChat) Twitter chat we were joined by United Ostomy Association of America and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center dietitian Therezia Alchoufete, MS, RD, LDN to learn more about nutritional support for people living with an ostomy in recognition of Ostomy Awareness Day being on October 5th.

Did you miss this month's Diet and Digestive Health (#DDHChat) Twitter Chat?
No problem, you can view the full script by clicking here.
Legislative and Regulatory News
Updates on HR3396
H.R. 3396 The Functional Gastrointestinal and Motility Disorder Research Enhancement Act currently has 12 cosponsors.

Special thanks to Debbie Popp and Melissa Adams VanHouten for helping to gather over 300 patient letters, which were delivered by IFFGD to Congressional Offices in D.C.

For more information on how you can get involved, contact media@iffgd.org.

What is Hirschsprung's disease?
Hirschsprung’s disease is a rare condition that people are usually born with and occurs in 1 of every 5,000 births.

Children with Hirschsprung's disease are missing the nerve cells (ganglion cells) within the wall of their colon or rectum. These cells are responsible for the normal wave-like motion of the bowel (peristalsis). When they are missing the stool stops and an obstruction occurs.


Click here for answers to ten frequently asked questions about Hirschsprung's
IFFGD Program Updates
New Ambassadors Program
The 2019 IFFGD Ambassadors Program is here!

IFFGD, in conjunction with LASPHGAN and NASPHGAN, is pleased to recognize and award our first five Ambassador Program winners of 2019 during the LASPGHAN session of the NASPGHAN annual meeting held this October.

This program was created to expand our reach in Mexico and South America by collaborating with local Pediatric Gastroenterologist to increase the awareness of the online Spanish language educational material that IFFGD has available on a variety of gastrointestinal disorders.


The 2019 IFFGD Ambassador Award Winners;
  • Mauro Batista de Morais, MD, PhD

  • Carlos Velasco-Benitez, MD, MSc

  • Edgar Játiva Mariño, MD, MSc.

  • Juan Rivera Medina, MD

  • María Francisca Jaime Méndez, MD
Giving Tuesday is Less Than a Month Away and You Can Make a Difference
Fundraise for Digestive Health
GivingTuesday is held annually the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, and this year it is on December 3rd. This Celebration runs for 24 hours and begins at midnight local time. During this global movement, people all around the world support the causes they believe in and the communities in which they live.

Millions of people are affected by a chronic GI condition, yet public awareness is limited. By starting a fundraiser with IFFGD, you can raise awareness and partner with loved ones to support a cause that is important to you.


Click here to learn how you can get involved.
Do You or Someone You Know Suffer From Loss of Bowel Control?
Learn More About Bowel Incontinence
Bowel incontinence, also called fecal incontinence, strikes people of all ages. It involves the involuntary or loss of solid or liquid stool.

If you experience chronic bowel incontinence, here are two important things to know:
  • You are not alone – many people have this condition
  • You do not have to just “live with it.” You can find help, and ways to treat and manage the condition
If you follow this link you will find information to help you understand, manage, and find treatment for incontinence.
This month IFFGD is attending ACG 2019 Conference in San Antonio, Texas. During this meeting, we will have the privilege of interviewing some of the leading experts in the field of GI for our GI Research on the Road program.

GI Research on the Road is a program IFFGD started to learn about the research advancements being made from a few of the leading researchers in the field of GI.

Stay tuned as we launch SIX new interviews on our YouTube Channel. Be sure to subscribe to receive an alert once the video topics below are posted!

  • Tips to Evaluate Health Information Online: Austin Chiang, MD, MPH, Thomas Jefferson University
  • First look at developing Research for Fecal Incontinence: Satish Rao, MD, PhD, Augusta University
  • What is GERD and Where are We Now: John Pandolfino, MD, Northwestern Medicine
  • Understanding a Rare GI Disorder, SMAS: Baha Moshiree, MD, Atrium Health
  • Understanding SIBO: Ali Rezaie, MD from Cedar Sinai Medical Center
  • The Constipation Dilemma: Brooks Cash, MD, University of Texas
RESEARCH CORNER
Clinical trials and research studies help to improve our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of diseases and advance the development of new and better treatment options. By participating in a study, you can help further the advancement of research and learn more about your condition.

Here are 3 studies currently recruiting participants:
IBS-D
Patients with IBS Needed to Identify Phenotypes Using Fecal Microbiota and Hydrogen Breath Testing


IBS-C or CIC
Seeking women who are breastfeeding or pumping and are taking linaclotide for IBS-C or CIC

Accidental Bowel Leakage (or Incontinence)
Seeking Patients with Diarrhea and Urge Predominant Fecal Incontinence


IFFGD is a nonprofit organization. We rely on donor support to fund research and to provide reliable information and support to those affected by chronic gastrointestinal disorders.
IFFGD | 414-964-1799 | iffgd@iffgd.org | www.iffgd.org