Latest Conference Articles

Many patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease will respond to proton pump inhibitors, but for those who don't the treatment options can vary as much as the symptoms themselves.

For gastroenterologists, treating patients with esophageal issues is part of their daily practice. The introduction of high-resolution manometry could prove to be a useful took when treating these patients.

"There are only 2 or 3 things I know for sure. Only 2 or 3 things. That's right. Of course, it's never the same things, and I'm never as sure as I'd like to be," nuggets of wisdom (from the novel "Bastard Out of Carolina," by Dorothy Allison) that Thomas Murray, Senior Director of Quality Measurement & Improvement, AGA, shared at the 2015 AGA Clinical Congress of Gastroenterology & Hepatology.

These days doctors are doing much more than just treating patients as they work through performance improvement measures as well as changes to their billing programs. The American Gastroenterological Association is working on ways to streamline the process to help doctors do their jobs more efficiently.

With so many changes in the health care industry, the days of doctors running solo practices in their hometowns seem to be ending as more physicians opt for employment with large health care systems.

For patients with chronic gastroenterological issues, the addition of psychological counseling can help with symptom management.

With prescription costs rising along with other fees in health care, the role of specialty pharmacy in gastroenterology (along with other options) has gained more attention in recent years.

The demand for gastroenterologists has grown in recent years while the number of doctors entering the field has remained steady. This has put even more of a burden on doctors as they work to provide the best care possible for their patients.

In part 2 of our interview, the effect Value-Based Payment has on patients is discussed.

When working with the value-based payment system, the size of the practice is just one factor doctors must consider when meeting the new requirements.

According to a new study published in Gastroenterology, research results showed that transoral fundoplication, an incision-less procedure allowing anti-reflux valve alteration, is an effective treatment for patients afflicted with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Rosa Michaelis, MD, discusses her goals of cultivating more patient interaction within epilepsy research at the American Epilepsy Society 2014 Annual Meeting.

Franck Kalume, PhD, shared the potential possibility for treatment options for both geriatric and pediatric epilepsy patients at the American Epilepsy Society 2014 Annual Meeting.

Franck Kalume, PhD, discusses his lab's primary research focus at the American Epilepsy Society 2014 Annual Meeting.

Helen Scharfman, PhD, discusses the next steps of her research study at the American Epilepsy Society 2014 Annual Meeting.

Helen Scharfman, PhD, shares her physiological approach to epilepsy management at the American Epilepsy Society 2014 Annual Meeting.

Kimford J. Meador, MD speaks about the neurodevelopment effects of combination drug exposure in women with epilepsy at the American Epilepsy Association 2014 Annual Meeting.

In the second part of an interview with Kim Van Naarden Braun, PhD, the screening process used in New Jersey is discussed at the national level.

Laura Jansen, MD, PhD, speaks about her experiences with management and treatment of pediatric epilepsy at the American Epilepsy Society 2014 Annual Meeting.

With technology improving every day the state of New Jersey implemented a program three years ago to mandate screening for critical congenital heart defects.

The potential uses of cannabis in treating epilepsy have gotten a lot of press but so far little scientific research. Three studies presented today at the American Epilepsy Society's meeting in Seattle represent an attempt to fill that gap. Their authors report on the use of marijuana and its derivative cannabidiol (CBD) in treating some forms of epilepsy.

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a growing concern for patients and physicians. The National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke today announced it will fund a $5.9 million research project on SUDEP. The Center for SUDEP Research, a virtual "center without walls" will enable 9 groups of scientists to shared findings and data with a goal of fostering collaborations, the NIH said in announcing the program. The news was released in conjunction with several SUDEP studies presented today at the American Epilepsy Society's annual meeting in Seattle, WA.

The medical problems faced by children with epilepsy are much studied, but in 3 studies presented at the American Epilepsy Society's annual meeting in Seattle, researchers report on these kids' behavioral and intellectual development problems.

Changing kids' diets has been shown to help control epileptic seizures. But until recently there was little data on whether strict dietary regimens are beneficial for adults with epilepsy. Reporting at the American Epilepsy Society's annual meeting in Seattle, WA today, two research teams said they have had some success with diet modification as a way to reduce seizures in adults with drug-resistant epilepsy.

W. Curt LaFrance, Jr., MD, MPH shares his views on combining neurological and psychological approaches to epilepsy management and treatment at the American Epilepsy Society 2014 Annual Meeting.

Kathleen Millen, PhD, one of the presenters at the American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting provided an overview of the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy in patients with malformations of cortical development.

Men of all ages are experiencing the difficulties that come with cardiovascular health including erectile dysfunction. A recent study was conducted looking at the link between the two conditions and what can be done to improve their treatment.

When cocaine users seek medical attention at a hospital regularly used scans may miss some hidden damage done to the patient's heart. A new study looked at other areas that could help maintain their longterm health.

As children get older their waistlines increasingly show signs of getting wider as well and the problem extends far beyond American students. Doctors around the world are working together to find ways to combat the growing problem.

Doctors are taking a new look at a condition which could play a factor in predicting cardiovascular incidents called hopelessness. While not much is known about the condition or treatment there are some things people can do to keep themselves as healthy as possible.