IBD (Crohn's & Colitis) Overview Video Featuring James R. Gray, MD, CCFP, ABIM, FRCPC Gastroenterologist Clinical Professor, University of British Columbia Chair, Medical Advisory Council, Gastrointestinal Society and Canadian Society of Intestinal Research Video Transcript Getting a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, can be life-altering. If you or [...]
Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu) Often incorrectly referred to as the ‘stomach flu’, gastroenteritis is a condition in which a person experiences temporary inflammation of the stomach and/or intestines. This inflammation leads to diarrhea and/or vomiting, as well as complications from these symptoms, such as abdominal pain, dehydration, and fatigue. Gastroenteritis is common, especially in children, [...]
Eradicating HCV Globally by 2030 The World Health Organization (WHO) has set an initiative to eliminate hepatitis C by 2030.1 They are calling on countries around the globe to achieve a reduction rate of new viral hepatitis infections by 90% and mortality by 65%.2,3 There are different types of viral hepatitis infections, including A, B, [...]
Click here to download a PDF of this information. Constipation It is normal to have a bowel movement (defecate) anywhere from three times a day to three times a week, as long as the stool is soft and comfortable to pass. For those experiencing constipation, bowel movements tend to be less frequent, and they can [...]
Click here to download a PDF of this information. Ulcerative Proctitis Ulcerative proctitis is a mild form of ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) consisting of fine ulcerations in the inner mucosal lining of the large intestine that do not penetrate the bowel muscle wall. In this form of colitis, the inflammation begins [...]
Safe Drug Disposal Don’t Flush that Drug – Don’t Trash it Either Health Canada recently warned, “Traces of pharmaceuticals are being detected in the environment, primarily in water (surface water, coastal water, groundwater, and drinking water) and soil. There is growing evidence that throwing pharmaceuticals (prescription drugs, non-prescription, over-the-counter drugs) and other personal care products [...]
Treatment of Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Pancreatic cancer, a rare disease, is projected to be the third leading cause of cancer death in Canada in 2020,1 which is an increase from fourth leading cause of cancer death in 2017.2 It also has a devastatingly low five-year net survival rate of 8%, especially when compared to other [...]
Tips for Travelling with IBD Travelling away from home for any length of time requires preparation and planning. For an individual with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), there are some extra things to consider. IBD primarily refers to two diseases of the intestines: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. These conditions are chronic and systemic with treatment [...]
A How-to Guide for Medical Cannabis Since the legalization of cannabis in Canada, you might have considered trying recreational cannabis to treat your medical condition. While purchasing cannabis from a recreational shop may seem simpler, it is best to use medical cannabis instead. This way, you can be confident that the strain you use will [...]
Gray Matter Changes in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Ever been told your IBS symptoms are all in your head? They might be, but in a much more literal way. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder defined by abdominal pain and bloating, as well as constipation and/or diarrhea. It affects 13-20% of Canadians, with more [...]
Biologics and Biosimilars To learn more about biologics and biosimilars, including updates on provincial policies regarding coverage of these medications, click here. What are Biologics? Biologics are very specific, highly effective medicines made in living cells. They improve health in many complex conditions, including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, osteoporosis, psoriasis, human [...]
Gastroparesis Patients Willing to Take Massive Risks for Cure Gastroparesis is a motility disorder in which food does not move from the stomach into the intestine as quickly as it should (delayed gastric emptying). It occurs when the pair of nerves that connects the brainstem to the gastrointestinal tract (vagus nerve) is damaged or does [...]
Fecal Transplant Might Help Treat Ulcerative Colitis Our Chief Executive Officer, Gail Attara attended the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organization’s (ECCO) 11th Congress during March 16-19, 2016 in Amsterdam. ECCO accepted a poster co-authored by Gail and five gastroenterologists on subsequent entry biologics, now called biosimilars. The conference hosted 6,265 delegates from 91 countries, all [...]
Obesity Update 2022 Obesity groups across the globe have been meeting to develop new guidelines for treating adults living with obesity that have their roots in the hard work done by Obesity Canada in 2020, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.1 In May 2022, the World Health Organization warned that Europe faces an epidemic [...]
It's The Thought That Counts Wisdom throughout the ages has explained how the world operates according to the law of cause and effect: as you sow, so shall you reap. If you plant seeds for an orange tree, it doesn’t matter how much you pray, affirm, or visualize, you will not produce apples. The law [...]
Digestion Most of us don’t think about our digestive tracts beyond what we put into it, although those who have a digestive disease or disorder often worry a bit more about what comes out. Compare this to the skin, where a healthy complexion is closely linked to our perception of beauty. The musculoskeletal [...]
Prunes vs. Psyllium for Reducing Constipation In a study, published in Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics,1 researchers compared the effectiveness of a popular natural supplement, psyllium (Metamucil®), to a natural food remedy that humans have been consuming for thousands of years, dried plums (prunes). They concluded that prunes are superior in providing safe, effective relief of mild [...]
New Medication Available for IBS-C TRULANCE® (plecanatide tablets) for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation in Adults Is now Available to Canadians to Help Meet Treatment Gap that leaves 70 Per cent of Patients Unsatisfied1 LAVAL, QC, February 8, 2022 - Bausch Health, Canada, part of Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC), ("Bausch Health" or the "Company") today announced the availability [...]
Click here to download a PDF of this information. Hiatus Hernia Hiatus Hernia Overview Hiatus hernia is a common condition of the upper digestive system, especially in individuals with functional dyspepsia, which is a chronic sensory and peristalsis problem of the digestive tract. It is helpful to learn normal anatomy to understand the abnormal changes [...]
Click here to download a PDF of this information. Intestinal Gas Many healthy individuals are concerned that they have too much intestinal gas, thinking that their digestive tract could be malfunctioning. While gas in itself is not dangerous, our inability to control its passage might have social implications. Studies have shown that the average person [...]
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