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Because Digestive Health Matters |
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders August 2021 eNewsletter |
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Greetings!
In recent studies, gastroparesis, a chronic gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, affects approximately five million people in the United States. Gastroparesis Awareness Month, established by IFFGD in 2016, takes place every year during the month of August, and IFFGD utilizes its platform to support the gastroparesis community by raising awareness to promote education and encourage research.
In recognition of Gastroparesis Awareness Month, IFFGD is launching a campaign to acknowledge the quality of life for patients and their illness journey — using the official hashtag on social media #ThisIsGP.
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IFFGD has been working with the International Working Group for the Classification of Oesophagitis (IWGCO) to create a survey to better understand the illness experience of those with Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (rGERD).
Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (rGERD) is very common and may affect approximately 40% of people who use a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) once daily. PPIs can be used for the treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Patients who suffer from persistent symptoms of GERD despite PPI treatment are considered refractory.
Click here to participate in the IFFGD rGERD Needs Assessment Patient Survey. |
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August is Gastroparesis Awareness Month.
This year, we have created a social media toolkit containing 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, posters, and a banner for your website.
Click below to download the official 2021 Gastroparesis Awareness Month material from IFFGD.
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Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs) are rare conditions that affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. EGIDs can occur in infants, children, and adults and are often identified by irregular food-related reactions. This occurs with a high number of eosinophils in the GI tract. Eosinophils are white blood cells linked with allergic-type reactions.
Their exact role is not known, but they are part of the body’s immune response. These cells release toxins that are harmful to the body. Inflammation occurs when these are active, which causes redness and swelling.
Some common symptoms of EGIDs include nausea, vomiting, poor growth/malnutrition, and abdominal pain. EGIDs can occur in any area of the GI tract and are named to match the organs affected.
Click below for more information about EGIDs.
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The 30th Anniversary Digestive Health Virtual Walk, Make Moves for GI Health, is a unique fitness event that goes far beyond a typical virtual walk. The event will begin on August 21st and conclude on September 4th.
It will provide the opportunity for participants to engage at their own pace and as their health and schedules permit. This event also includes self-care goals for those who may not be able to participate in the fitness portion of the event. Each participant will receive fundraising and mileage goals to encourage active participation and progress throughout the event.
To honor the thirty years of IFFGD’s existence, the overall campaign goal is for all participants to collectively walk 10,950 miles over two weeks. This number represents the number of days IFFGD has been a non-profit serving the GI community. All proceeds for this walk will go towards two research grants for Gastrointestinal Disorders.
For event information and registration, click here. |
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To commemorate the 30th anniversary of IFFGD, we will be hosting a very special virtual edition of the Norton Education Series (NES).
The Nancy and Bill Norton Patient Education Series Event: IFFGD’s Thirtieth Anniversary Edition is a free virtual two-day event that will include medical education sessions and open panel discussions.
The keynote lecture will be delivered by Dr. Douglas Drossman, a longtime friend of IFFGD, and our founders, Nancy and Bill Norton, and will cover the history of FGIMDs and IFFGD.
Click here to learn more about the event and register!
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Do you have someone in your life who supports you throughout your illness journey? Nominate them for the 2021 IFFGD Ally Award.
The IFFGD Ally Award is an award to recognize those who go above and beyond to support and ensure the needs of an individual within the gastrointestinal (GI) community are met.
An Ally is someone who unites themselves with another to promote a common interest. People who are allies are not only your helpers but also have a common interest with your health in mind.
Nominations are due by Tuesday, August 31st, and must include one to two paragraphs with your reason and clear examples of why you are nominating your ally.
Individuals who are nominated for IFFGD's 2021 Ally Awards will be recognized, and the winners will be announced during the Ally Award Virtual Gala.
To learn more about the Ally Award nomination process and the Ally Award Gala, click here.
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Call for Names: IFFGD Patient and Caregiver Acknowledgment Wall |
During the Nancy and Bill Norton Patient Education Series Event and the Virtual Ally Award Gala, we would like to remember those we have lost to GI disorders and honor those who are still in the fight.
Hearts are to honor those still living with a GI disorder, and candles are to remember those we have lost to GI disorders. Please submit their first name, last initial and age (you can submit as many as possible).
To acknowledge these individuals, email their information no later than Friday, October 1st, 2021, using this link.
Once we have received all submissions, we will create a short video with all of the hearts and candles to present during the Nancy and Bill Norton Patient Education Series Event and Virtual Ally Award Gala.
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Clostridioides difficile or C. difficile (CDI) is the major cause of infectious colitis and diarrhea in healthcare settings around the world. Infectious colitis is redness, swelling, and inflammation of the colon.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost half a million cases of CDI occurred in 2011 in the United States.
CDI is most often spread from one person to another from direct exposure to the bacteria. This is often due to personal hygiene, specifically lack of handwashing.
Click below to read the newly updated fact sheet on Clostridiodes Difficile Infection (CDI) by IFFGD.
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Belching after a large meal is a normal, necessary venting of air from the stomach. In some societies, it is a gesture of appreciation to the host.
Nevertheless, for some people, belching is a serious and complex matter. Some individuals may have sudden attacks of belching which is both intrusive and embarrassing.
Gas or air that is belched originates in the “stomach,” which may cause concern that it indicates an underlying gas-producing disease.
Click below to learn more about aerophagia and belching.
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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:
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IFFGD has an Advisory Board that is made up of 60 medical professionals from various disciplines representing the USA and ten other countries. Many of these individuals are noted experts in the field of functional gastrointestinal disorders. This month we would like to recognize our new advisory board member, Dr. Baha Moshiree
Baha Moshiree, MD, MS-CI, FACG, is a Professor of Medicine and Director of Motility, in the Division of Gastroenterology at Atrium Health, in Charlotte, NC. She trained at the University of Florida for a combined undergraduate and medical school, later gastroenterology fellowship with a focus on functional bowel diseases and motility disorders. She has a master’s degree in clinical investigation and was on a National Institutes of Health (NIH) T32 grant.
Her expertise and interests are in the diagnosis and management of patients with chronic gastrointestinal illnesses such as gastroparesis, intestinal pseudo-obstruction, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and constipation with pelvic floor disorders. Dr. Moshiree's earlier research focused on the multidimensional pathophysiology of IBS and examining pain processing mechanisms and brain-gut interactions in patients with IBS and functional dyspepsia.
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She has also participated in several multinational studies in both IBS and gastroparesis. Dr. Moshiree has continuous funding from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) targeting better treatment options for patients with CF, and recently helped publish CF guidelines for treatment of GERD in patients with chronic lung disease. She is also one of three Principal Investigators in a national study to examine the prevalence of GI symptoms in patients with CF called GALAXY funded by the CF foundation.
Dr. Moshiree has presented her research at several national meetings and has received the Preceptor of the Year Award/Academician of Year from Atrium Health 2020. Dr. Moshiree is currently on the AGA’s Institute Council (2017-present) and a Council Member of the American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society. She currently serves as the ACG Governor for North Carolina. She recently was a co-author on the ACG's IBS Guidelines.
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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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