Product Review Viberzi® for Diarrhea and Pain in IBS-D Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, often debilitating functional gastrointestinal disorder. Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation and/or diarrhea. Diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) occurs when an individual experiences diarrhea frequently, but rarely experiences constipation. In our IBS survey, approximately 35% of those with IBS had [...]
The Inside Affair 2012 A Spectacular Success! In October 2012, more than a hundred individuals, including several staff and Board members, who are dedicated to GI and liver health, gathered at Toronto’s Boiler House restaurant and, by the evening’s end, we raised net funds for the GI Society’s activities of more than $50,000. Unlike a [...]
Evolution of the Human Gut Microbiota Throughout time, we have adopted changes to our diets, environments, and lifestyle behaviours. Do you ever wonder if we’ve experienced major changes to our gut microbiota as well? Using paleomicrobiology, which is the study of ancient microorganisms, researchers have examined Neanderthal feces to further understand the evolution of the [...]
IBD Patient Journey Read the PDF Report Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily involves the digestive tract. There are two main subtypes – Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis – which differ in the area and extent of inflammation. In Crohn’s disease, inflammation can occur in any [...]
Medication Supply Chain From research on a single drug molecule to clinical trials and a final product ready for patients to use, medicines take a very long time to develop. Studies estimate that this can take about 12 to 15 years, with an average per-drug cost of USD 900 million to 2 billion [...]
Bacteria, Viruses, and Antimicrobial Resistance Bacteria and viruses are extremely small organisms, also known as microorganisms, that can live on our skin, in our body fluids, and throughout our digestive tract. They are different from one another, from their biological makeup, how they develop into an infection or disease (pathogenic), and the types of treatments [...]
Traditional Chinese Medicine Approach to Treating Long COVID This is my personal experience managing patients with long COVID, or post-COVID syndrome, as a Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor. As if getting sick with COVID-19 wasn’t bad enough, some people continue to suffer symptoms more than a month after their infection, earning the unwanted label of long-hauler. [...]
IBS Updates 2021 Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common digestive condition in the world, yet many people who have symptoms do not seek help. Defined by abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits, including constipation and diarrhea, IBS can greatly affect quality of life and be an isolating experience. Those affected might find [...]
Review of the Canadian Pain Task Force Report Background Pain, according to the International Association for the Study of Pain, is “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage.” As covered in our Science of Pain article, pain serves a vital purpose for [...]
Ethical Dilemmas in Rare Diseases Scientists continue to make research advancements by creating specialized and highly effective therapies for many diseases and disorders, moving the population toward a better quality of life. It was fourteen years ago that Gail Attara, our president and chief executive officer, wrote about the advent of biologic medicines for Crohn’s [...]
