Digestive Health Monthly - May 2019
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Greetings!
For many people, spring is a time of fresh beginnings. The warming weather, the buds on the tress, the awakening of new life - all of this reminds us that every darkness, no matter how long or lonesome, eventually ends. And, we find a hidden strength in ourselves to continue on the road to healing.
This month, as we finally round the corner into spring, we are exploring stories of healing and sharing things you can do to create positive change for yourself and others.
Happy Spring!
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Find Your Strength
What do you do to remind yourself of your strength?
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Living with a chronic illness forces you to find an inner strength that you may not have even known you had. It takes strength to endure pain and hardship even while nurturing hope. But sometimes, when we are at our lowest, we need to actively remind ourselves of the strength we possess.
How do you remind yourself that you are strong?
Let us know!
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Connect. Learn. Be Heard.
Join us on Capitol Hill June 24-25, 2019
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Have you registered for IFFGD's 2-day education and advocacy event in Washington, DC?
Join us for two days of networking; educational presentations from doctors, governmental agencies, and patient advocates; and advocacy in our nation's capital June 24-25, 2019. Together, we'll share stories of how we have been impacted by a chronic GI disorder and make the needs of the GI community heard on Capitol Hill!
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Practice Gratitude
Being grateful in the face of suffering
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For someone struggling daily with the challenges of a chronic GI illness, the idea of being grateful may sound laughable. After all, what do you have to feel gratitude about?
But for Jasmine, who has experienced terrible suffering due to her gastroparesis, gratitude is an important part of remaining positive. Her tip? "
While I'm very much struggling to remain positive in my situation, I do make a genuine effort everyday to write down at least 3 reasons to be happy/grateful."
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Get the Scoop on GI Research
IFFGD debuts GI Research on the Road
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New scientific advances in how chronic GI diseases are understood, diagnosed and treated are always happening. So, it's important to keep updated on the latest research news.
A new program from IFFGD,
GI Research on the Road will feature exclusive videos with GI researchers on what's new in the science. This program will launch May 19-21, 2019, at Digestive Disease Week (DDW), the largest gathering of researchers, clinicians and others in the field of digestive health. Stay tuned!
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Get the Support You Need
Help your loved ones help you
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Family and personal relationships can have an effect on illness and on how well a person living with a chronic gastrointestinal (GI) disorder feels about their condition. This effect can be positive, but it can also be negative when anxieties, insecurities and the unintentional ignorance of family members and friends emerge.
But there are things you can do to help coach your loved ones to support you in the ways that are most helpful for you.
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Make Your Voice Heard
We want to hear from you!
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As a patient or family member, you have a unique understanding of the challenges of life with a chronic GI disorder and the needs of those affected. We ask you to share your insights with us by joining the
IFFGD Patient Panel.
As a member of this community of patients, family members and friends, your input will help IFFGD identify the needs of the digestive community and develop programs to meet these needs.
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Join the Conversation
Twitter chat on diet and celiac disease on Monday, May 13th at 4:00 PM EST
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In recognition of Celiac Disease Awareness Month, Beyond Celiac (
@BeyondCeliac) and celiac dietitian at Columbia University Celiac Disease Center, Jessica Lebovits, RD, CDN, CNSC, (
@gfree_rd) will be joining us for a Twitter chat on
The Gluten-Free Gut: Diet & Celiac Disease.
Get your celiac questions answered on Monday, May 13th at 4:00 PM EST with the hashtag
#DDHChat. We look forward to chatting with you!
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Help Researchers Understand Your Abdominal Pain
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The Stanford University Department of Gastroenterology, in conjunction with IFFGD, is conducting a research study to help improve the understanding and treatment of chronic abdominal pain.
We invite you to participate by completing a survey of your symptoms and prior treatments. Participation is voluntary, confidential, anonymous, and should only take about 15 minutes. The results of this survey study may help improve care for people with GI disorders in the future.
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Clinical trials and research studies are important to improving our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of diseases and developing new and better treatments. By participating in a study, you can help advance research and learn more about your condition.
Here are 3 studies currently recruiting participants:
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Adults with chronic abdominal pain are invited to participate in a survey study conducted by the Stanford University Department of Gastroenterology in conjunction with IFFGD. The survey is intended to help improve the understanding and treatment of chronic abdominal pain.
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Researchers at Augusta University are seeking adult participants with chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) to participate in a study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel treatment (Vibrant capsule).
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Women who are actively breast feeding or pumping and are currently taking linaclotide (Linzess) for constipation predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) or chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) are being recruited for a study to determine the amount of linaclotide in breast milk.
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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.
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IFFGD | 414-964-1799 | iffgd@iffgd.org | www.iffgd.org
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