Because Digestive Health Matters
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders
August 2020 eNewsletter
Greetings!

Gastroparesis Awareness Month, established by IFFGD in 2016, takes place every year during the month of August. During this time and throughout the year IFFGD utilizes their platform to support the gastroparesis community by raising awareness to promote education and encourage research.

In recognition of Gastroparesis Awareness Month, IFFGD will launch a campaign which acknowledges the symptom burdens and quality of life for patientsusing the hashtags #MyGPlife and #GastroparesisAwarenessMonth. During Gastroparesis Awareness Month, we invite you to share your story about what it is like living with gastroparesis using #MyGPlife
While faced with obstacles and many uncertainties this year during the COVID-19 pandemic, we explored new ways to disseminate up-to-date information to the patient community.

IFFGD's COVID19 program was designed to provide the patient community with information on a variety of topics such as:

· COVID-19 and GI Symptoms (Part 1 & 2) - with Dr. Brennan Spiegel from Cedars Sinai

· Managing Stress During a Pandemic - with Psychologist Helen B. Murray from Harvard Medical

· Research Study Update on COVID-19 and the Impact on Those Living with Gastrointestinal Disorders - with Dr. Miranda Van Tilburg from Campbell University and Dr. Simon Knowles from Swinburne University in Melbourne, Australia
· Dietary Modifications to Improve the Immune System - with New York based Dietitian Kate Scarlata
Click here to watch each video today.
Do you know the symptoms of dyspepsia in children?

The symptoms of dyspepsia are persistent or recurrent pain and discomfort in the upper middle region of the abdomen.

The discomfort can be a sensation of fullness after meals, an early feeling of having had enough to eat (satiety), bloating, belching, nausea, retching, vomiting, regurgitation, loss of appetite, or food refusal.

Click the button below to learn more about dyspepsia in children.
August is Gastroparesis Awareness Month.

This year we have created a social media toolkit, which contains information and resources to amplify the voices within the patient community, and help spread awareness about Gastroparesis.

In the toolkit you will find, key messaging, ways to raise awareness using your platform, social media content, social media images, and posters.

Click the button below to download the 2020 Gastroparesis Awareness Month social media toolkit.
IFFGD's 2020 Virtual Advocacy Event

Thank you to everyone who participated in our 2020 Virtual Advocacy Event. There is still an opportunity to engage and participate for those who missed any portion of the education program or Congressional call-in day.

The full-day educational portion of the event is now available online. The four sessions of this program include, an update on research and drug development in federal agencies, advocating for yourself in healthcare, creating a healthcare team, and going beyond traditional medicine in GI illness.

Advocates who were unable to participate on Monday, July 27th can continue to view the advocate training materials and contact Congress. Please email advocacy@iffgd.org if you have any questions, and to inform us of any legislative offices you have contacted durning the advocacy event.

Stay informed through our social media channels and by signing up for the IFFGD Advocacy Connection eNewsletter.

Diet, Nutrition and Digestive Health: Finding the Balance in Food for Life

IFFGD along with the University of Michigan Gastrointestinal Department partner with the Food for Life Kitchen for a Norton Education Series event. This educational event will discuss how the foods we eat affect our bodies and overall health.

When: Sunday, October 11, 2020 at 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM EDT

Where: East Ann Arbor Health and Geriatrics Center
4260 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Visit our event page or follow us on social media for the event updates.
Most of us may experience constipation from time to time, which can result from illness, inactivity, travel, medications, and other circumstances.
Constipation appears differently to different people. Individuals may report constipation if they sense something is amiss, or if they are uncomfortable.

When you notice changes in your symptoms, it is important to speak with your healthcare provider.
Click the button below to learn more about the different subgroups and treatment plans that may help you manage your symptoms.
Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare disease in children and adults characterized by food-related reactions, infiltration of certain white blood cells (eosinophils) in the GI tract, and an increase in the number of eosinophils in the blood.

This disorder can be distinguished from food allergy by the lack of a specific offending food and the lack of a response to an elimination diet.

Click the button below for more information about eosinophilic gastroenteritis today.


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:
August Spotlight
Recognizing the critical role of research in advancing the understanding and care of chronic gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses in adults and children. This month we are highlighting IFFGD's 2020 Research Recognition Award Winner, Christopher V. Almario, MD, MSHPM.

Dr. Almario is an Assistant Professor-in-Residence of Medicine and Health Services Research Scientist in the Divisions of Digestive and Liver Diseases and Health Services Research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA. He earned his MD at Jefferson Medical College and then completed his internal medicine and gastroenterology training at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and UCLA, respectively. While at UCLA, he also earned his MS in Health Policy and Management through the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.
His research is focused on developing and validating innovative, scalable, evidence-based technologies that support patients and clinicians in making shared decisions that improve health and reduce costs. He has also conducted a number of studies that deepen our understanding of the epidemiology and impact of functional gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome, chronic idiopathic constipation, functional heartburn) on patients’ quality of life.

Dr. Almario’s work has been published in Gastroenterology, American Journal of Gastroenterology, Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and the International Journal of Medical Informatics, among many others. He has also received funding from the National Institutes of Health, American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, and multiple industry partners.
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