Ulcerative Colitis

Researchers say that new insight into the microbiome will lead to new opportunities for treating a variety of medical conditions, both within and outside the gut.

Studies showing improvements in GI symptoms in patients with IBS treated with antibiotics such as rifaximin and neomycin also provide evidence for the role of altered gut flora in this condition.

The International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) has created several useful resources for patients and physicians for IBS Awareness Month.

Data show that prevalence of concurrent IBS is actually higher in younger patients with OAB.

Recent studies on the effectiveness of current IBS medications and various non-drug interventions, including hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, suggest that a combined approach may work best for this pathophysiologically complicated condition.

As more than 60 percent of women with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) also exhibit abdominal pain consistent with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms, two researchers in the neural and pain sciences department of the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, in Baltimore, have developed a model to better illustrate the two conditions' comorbidity.

Though the Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) is commonly applied in large Crohn's disease clinical trials to distinguish symptoms resulting from inflammation, a study published online Feb. 21 in Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics demonstrated the index does not differentiate between active Crohn's disease patients and patients with the non-inflammatory irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Several studies recently have looked at the relationship between irritable bowel syndrome and increased pain sensitivity.

Clinical trials have shown that probiotics are somewhat effective as therapy for irritable bowel syndrome, but many of the studies have been short-term and of poor quality.

Because the two conditions share similar symptoms, patients with IBS often misinterpret gastrointestinal symptoms and self-diagnose as lactose intolerant.

Study shows subtype of human stem cells can survive in the intestine and help replenish inflamed or damaged tissue.

Patients with refractory IBS who incorporated weekly sessions of gut-directed hypnotherapy into their treatment report significant long-term improvements in quality of life.

Researchers report that skin patch testing for specific foods and additives that can cause IBS symptoms can help patients eliminate those foods from their diet and improve their IBS symptoms.

A roundup of brief summaries of news and research about irritable bowel syndrome.

A multidisciplinary research project aims to create a large IBS biobank and create uniform standards and guidelines to aid in the study of IBS and other functional GI disorders.

Study results show patients with IBS who drink four or more alcoholic drinks in one day may be more likely to experience diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, and indigestion the next day.

The goal of IBS management should be to improve overall symptoms, including altered stool frequency and consistency, abdominal pain and discomfort, bloating, and quality of life.

Adequate daily fiber intake confers multiple health benefits, including improved management of irritable bowel syndrome.

Expert advice from the 2013 AGA-ASGE Clinical Congress of Gastroenterology and Hepatology on managing diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and other symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

It is important for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to understand more about their condition and track their diet and bowel habits to help manage their symptoms. These apps for the iPhone and iPad provide useful information for patients that can help them learn more about the symptoms and management of IBS, track their medications and daily habits, and share this information with their health care providers.

Linzess (linaclotide capsules) was approved in August 2012 by the FDA as a once-daily treatment for adult men and women suffering from irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) or chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC).

The xTAG Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel can simultaneously detect 11 common viral, bacterial, and parasitic causes of infectious gastroenteritis from a single patient sample.

Treatment with synthetic stool may produce better results and improve safety in patients with C. difficile infection that does not respond to standard therapy.

Recent study results suggest that treatment that includes patient education, cognitive behavioral therapy, and other psycho-social modalities can help reduce symptom severity and improve quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Living in sunnier parts of the country appears to be associated with a reduced risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly after the age of 30, indicates a long-term prospective US-based study.

Women with endometriosis are much more likely to develop inflammatory bowel disease than women without the reproductive disorder.

According to two recently published studies, the risk of skin cancer may be increased in individuals who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); the risk is heightened by the use of immunosuppressant medications, which typically are used to treat IBD. At this time, there are no recommendations for skin cancer screenings in IBD individuals.

Dr. Jean-Paul Achker said there is room for improvement of response rates with current treatment approaches. "There may be a limited window of time to maximize anti-TNFα therapy, as evidenced by the observed loss of response over time, the need to increase the dose of anti-TNFα therapy, and immunogenicity," he said.

Ahmed Kandiel, MD, MPH, kicked off the 47th Annual Gastroenterology Update with a thorough review of the current treatment landscape for moderate to severe inflammatory bowel disease, including the potential risks for side effects for each biologic agent.

Bret Lashner, MD, MPH, FACG, shares his thoughts about the first day of the 47th Annual Gastroenterology Update at the Cleveland Clinic, including the recent developments with inflammatory bowel disease and hepatitis C therapy.