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Functional Dyspepsia
Click here to download a PDF of this information. Functional Dyspepsia Functional dyspepsia is a chronic disorder of sensation and movement (peristalsis) in the upper digestive tract. Peristalsis is the normal downward pumping and squeezing of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine, which begins after swallowing. We call this disorder functional because there are no [...]
Hiatus Hernia
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 [...]
3000 Year Old Thoughts on Digestion
3000 Year Old Thoughts on Digestion Traditional Chinese Medicine “What foods should I eat?” For my patients both with and without digestive health issues, this is a common question. My answer is not that simple. Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) principles have me change my recommendations from person to person as well as from season to season. [...]
Diet and the Development of Stomach Cancer
Diet and the Development of Stomach Cancer With media coverage and public awareness campaigns bombarding us from every direction these days, most people know a lot about the debilitating effects of many forms of cancer, such as those that affect the lungs, colon, breasts, and prostate. This knowledge leads people to taking preventative actions, such [...]
Beans We Drink
Beans We Drink Coffee, Cocoa, and the Gut An enticing cup of freshly brewed java to start the day; a warm, creamy mug of hot chocolate on a cold night – we can’t get enough of these ubiquitous drinks. But what are they doing to our bodies? Does coffee contain antioxidants that protect against diseases? [...]
Physical Activity and GI Health
Physical Activity and Digestive Health: It’s Complicated! Exercise for the gastrointestinal (GI) patient can be a complex issue, but implementing the right level and combination of physical activity should be beneficial for most. Some forms of physical activity can have significant negative effects on GI conditions, whereas others have a known protective effect against specific [...]
GERD on the Rise
GERD on the Rise Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common, chronic condition caused by the backflow of stomach contents, such as gastric acid, into the esophagus. The main symptoms include a burning, pressure-like sensation in the chest (heartburn), the sensation of food or liquid rising up the esophagus, and a bitter or sour taste [...]
GERD and Dental Erosion
GERD and Dental Erosion Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when the upper portion of the digestive tract doesn’t function properly, causing stomach contents to regularly flow back into the esophagus, sometimes going all the way up into the mouth. This disease affects 13-29% of Canadians. While the most common symptom of GERD is heartburn, in [...]
Aging Digestive Tract
Click here to download a PDF of this information. Aging Digestive Tract The digestive system is a vital collection of organs that is responsible for breaking down food into its components for the body to use. As we age, the risk of something going wrong in the digestive system continues to rise, due to the [...]
Nutrition and the Aging Gut Video
Nutrition and the Aging Gut Video If you are reaching your later years, you might be experiencing changes to the way your gut works. It’s important that you maintain a nutrient-dense diet to prevent malnutrition, and if you need a bit of extra help getting those nutrients in, taking oral nutritional supplements can help. [...]
Achalasia
Achalasia Achalasia is a rare disorder, with a prevalence of 10 in 100,000. It affects the esophagus and makes it difficult to swallow food or beverages. The esophagus is a narrow tube that connects the back of your throat to the top of your stomach. The bottom two thirds of the esophagus is surrounded by [...]
A-Z Digestive Topics
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z Below [...]
Lawsuit Settled: Dannon1 Yogurt Didn’t Measure Up to Its Claims
Lawsuit Settled: Dannon1 Yogurt Didn’t Measure Up to Its Claims The $35 million US Activia® settlement is the largest-ever for a lawsuit alleging false advertising of a food product. In September 2009, Dannon settled a massive consumer class action suit in the US challenging that ads for certain brands of its yogurt overstate their claimed [...]
Photodynamic Therapy for Barrett’s Esophagus
Photodynamic Therapy for Barrett's Esophagus High Grade Dysplasia Barrett’s Esophagus You are at risk of developing Barrett’s esophagus if you have chronic acid reflux disease, also known as GERD. It is estimated that 5% to 20% of people who have chronic acid reflux also have Barrett’s esophagus.1 However, it is important to note that people [...]
Biopsychosocial Aspects of Functional GI Disorders
Biopsychosocial Aspects of Functional GI Disorders “It’s all in your head!”, “There’s nothing wrong with you.”, “All tests are negative.”...these phrases may be familiar to those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or functional dyspepsia (FD). Yet these individuals – with functional gastrointestinal disorders – are suffering from very real, frustrating, and sometimes debilitating symptoms. For [...]
How to Avoid GERD Symptoms While Working Out
How to Avoid GERD Symptoms While Working Out Whether you live life in the fast or slow lane, you’ll need some form of regular exercise. Besides reducing body fat, exercise can help relieve stress and anxiety, improve your overall sense of well-being, and, in certain cases, decrease Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms. But that doesn’t [...]
The Cost of Therapeutic Substitution
The Cost of Therapeutic Substitution It was May 1, 2003, when the government of British Columbia announced that it was “providing a new PharmaCare coverage arrangement for patients with gastric ulcers and acid reflux disease that will ensure continued access to high-quality medication while protecting $42 million in PharmaCare resources over three years. The new [...]
Therapeutic Substitution: Does one size really fit all?
Therapeutic Substitution: Does one size really fit all? Your Health Could Be At Risk Just Because You Are Different! Medicine rationing has crept into the fabric of Canadian life. As various administrations take a nip at our rights here and trim our access there, we need to pay close attention. Some of the new policies [...]
Neuroendocrine Tumours
Neuroendocrine Tumours A rare disease with symptoms worth knowing Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are rare, small, slow-growing tumours most often originating in the gastrointestinal tract and lungs. They can also develop in the pancreas, ovaries, testes, and other areas of the neuroendocrine system. When left undetected or untreated, NETs can eventually spread (metastasize) to numerous other [...]
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