Digestive Health Monthly

Because Digestive Health Matters

International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders December 2023 eNewsletter

December is Constipation Awareness Month.

Changes in bowel habits are a common and natural aspect of life. Factors such as stress, travel, new medications, dietary adjustments, changes in sleep patterns, or extended periods of inactivity can temporarily disrupt your regular routine and affect bowel movements. Occasional constipation is considered a normal occurrence due to some of these changes. However, prolonged constipation over extended durations is not typical and may warrant attention.

Chronic constipation affects up to 20% of adults and 16% of children in the United States alone. It is a common GI condition that affects people of all ages, genders, and populations and the symptoms can present differently in each person. This can make it an extremely challenging gut symptom to define.

This year, in recognition of Constipation Awareness Month, we aim to raise awareness about this misunderstood condition and we invite you to join us on our mission to educate and inform. Join our social media campaign and use the #ConstipationAwarenessMonth23 and #BreaktheBlock hashtags.

2024 Nancy and Bill Norton Research Program Awards

We are pleased to announce a call for applications for the 2024 Nancy and Bill Norton Research Program Awards. This year, we will be awarding 1 Research Grant of $40,000, 1 Preceptorship Award of up to $5,000, and 15 Travel Awards of up to $2,000.

One research grant award of $40,000 to go towards direct costs is available for innovative research related to gastrointestinal disorders. For projects with total estimated costs greater than the amount of the award, additional sources of funds may be used to complete the project. All financial resources will be acknowledged in any research report. You can learn more about this research grant and eligibility as well as access the application form here.

One preceptorship award of up to $5,000 is available to early career physicians or advanced practice providers with an interest in clinical aspects of functional gastrointestinal (GI) and motility disorders to visit a medical center with expertise in these disorders for four weeks. You can learn more about this preceptorship award and eligibility as well as access the application form here.

Fifteen travel awards of up to $2,000 each are available for young researchers focused on research in the area of gastrointestinal disorders. You can learn more about these travel awards and eligibility as well as access the application form here.

The deadline for submitting applications is midnight, Friday, January 12, 2024. All applications must be sent via email to IFFGD at iffgd@iffgd.org.

IFFGD’s 2024 research program awards are made possible by the 2023 Virtual Digestive Health Wellness Event. Learn more here.

Gastroparesis Travel Tips

With the holidays right around the corner, millions of Americans will take to the roads and skies as they reunite with loved ones. Travel can be stressful, but add a GI disorder like gastroparesis into the mix, and it can become quite the challenge.

Gastroparesis is a disorder where the stomach empties too slowly, causing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, pain, bloating, fullness, and reflux. The management of gastroparesis can be difficult, especially on the go.

IFFGD has put together a guide of travel tips for those with gastroparesis to help make the travel experience as seamless as possible.

Click the button below to learn more.

Gastroparesis Travel Tips

NORD Rare Pediatric GI Patient Assistance Program is OPEN

NORD’s Rare Pediatric GI Patient Assistance Program is now open and accepting applications. Living with a rare disease can be difficult to manage. It can require many healthcare visits, travel, and complex treatments. This program is designed to lessen the financial burden that may come with having a rare disease diagnosis.

The NORD Pediatric Patient Assistance Program offers eligible individuals financial support to pay for out-of-pocket healthcare costs that are directly related to the care and treatment of a rare disease diagnosis.

For more information, please email ‘RarePedGI@rarediseases.org’ or call 203-896-7261.

NORD Rare Pediatric GI Patient Assistance Program is OPEN

IBS and the Holiday Season

IBS is known to be a disorder of the gut-brain axis. Many people report experiencing an increase in symptoms when stressed or anxious. This means the stress of the holiday season can lead to unpleasant symptoms if not managed properly.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that has been used by professionals to treat symptoms of IBS. CBT works by teaching different coping mechanisms to handle different situations. By learning and applying some of these skills, you can reduce stress and enjoy the holidays.

Click the button below to learn more.

IBS and the Holiday Season

Constipation Awareness Month Toolkit

IFFGD has created a social media toolkit for Constipation Awareness Month. This toolkit contains a variety of resources and information that can be used to spread awareness on social media and amplify the voices of the patient community.

In our mission to raise awareness for those who live with chronic constipation, we have provided general information, key messaging, social media content, posters, and website banners, which can all be found in our toolkit.

Click the here to explore the 2023 Constipation Awareness Month material. Click the button below to visit our constipation website and learn more.

Constipation Awareness Month Toolkit

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:

Pediatric GI

"Feasibility, Safety, and Potential Efficacy of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) for Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Children Following Hematopoietic Cell Transplant (HCT)."

GERD, Barretts Esophagus

GCC Agonist Signal in the Small Intestine

IBD

A Study of Darvadstrocel for Treating Complex Perianal Fistulas in Children and Teenagers with Crohn's disease

December Spotlight

IFFGD Grant Recipient Dr. Braden Kuo

Dr. Braden Kuo is Director of the Center for Neurointestinal Health at the GI Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is active clinically seeing patients and training the next generation of GI Brain Gut clinicians and researchers in the Advanced GI Motility Fellowship.

Dr. Kuo is one of IFFGD's Advisory Board members. He has led numerous multicenter clinical trials in gastroparesis and diagnostic device evaluation for measuring GI transit. He has received funding from the American Gastroenterology Association as well as from the NIH and other philanthropy organizations. He has also authored over 120 publications, including numerous book chapters, primary investigation, and the recent ACG guidelines for Gastroparesis from the American College of Gastroenterology, and served as editor for the most recent textbook in Gastroparesis.

Donate

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

Stay Connected