Features

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD)

Microscopic Colitis: Is Vedolizumab An Option?

By

C. Andrew Kistler, MD, PharmD

Due to the relatively high relapse rate and need for additional therapies, current research is being done on the use of Vedolizumab for the treatment of microscopic colitis.

Pediatric gastroenterology

Experts Discuss the Management of Childhood Obesity

By

Michelle Lampariello

Although the rise in pediatric obesity predates the COVID-19 pandemic, stressors experienced during the pandemic exposed inequities in children’s health.

Practice Management

Complying With HIPAA When Using Social Media

By

John Schieszer, MA

Among other considerations, health care providers must avoid giving individual medical advice.

Practice Management

Shrinking the Gastroenterology Gender Gap: A Call to Action

By

Kwamesha Joseph

While the causes of gender gaps are often complex and inextricably intertwined, a more in depth approach is needed to identify areas where immediate action can be taken to improve gender equity and diversity in gastroenterology.

Esophagus

A Case of Sudden-Onset Dysphagia During Lunch, Unresolved by PPIs

By

Karmen Elsen, MPA, PA-C

A patient presenting with sudden-onset dysphagia and vomiting initially is diagnosed with GERD but does not respond to PPIs. What is your diagnosis?

Practice Management

Disparities in Gastroenterology: Health Equity Begins with Cancer Screenings

By

Emily Pond

Unmitigated health disparities remain a persistent challenge throughout gastroenterology practice.

General Gastroenterology

What Does the Future of the Mental Health Pandemic Hold?

By

Aaron M. Hawkins, MD

With health experts across the country agreeing we are in the midst of a mental health pandemic, psychiatrist Aaron M. Hawkins, MD offers his view about the current state and the future of mental health in the United States.

Other bowel disorders

Microscopic Colitis: New PPI Data

By

C. Andrew Kistler, MD, PharmD

The exact pathophysiology of microscopic colitis is not completely understood, though PPIs and NSAIDs are 2 medications commonly implicated for triggering the inflammatory process.

General Gastroenterology

How GI Disorders and Brain Connect Effecting Migraine Headache

By

Jessica Nye, PhD

Researchers searched publication databases for studies of the gut-brain connection, migraine, and gastric disorders.

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD)

Low FODMAP Diet and IBD: A Potential Option?

By

C. Andrew Kistler, MD, PharmD

Current research indicates that short-term utilization of an LFD may help ameliorate some mild IBS symptoms associated with quiescent IBD, while further long term studies are still needed.

Practice Management

The Power of Touch: How Physical Contact Can Reshape the Clinical Exam

By

Lauren Biscaldi

What is the power of touch and how has it played into the history of clinical treatment as well as our current reality?

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD)

COVID-19 and IBD: Impact of Disease State and Biologics

By

C. Andrew Kistler, MD, PharmD

In patients with IBD, management of immunosuppressive regimens, as well as safety and efficacy of vaccines, has raised many questions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD)

Marijuana and IBD: Challenging Decisions

By

C. Andrew Kistler, MD, PharmD

Though patient use of cannabinoids for the treatment of IBD has increased, clinical decision making on whether to formally recommend it as treatment remains difficult.

Practice Management

Strategies for Managing Uncertainty in Patient Care

By

David Alfandre, MD, MSPH

For many health care professionals, successfully managing uncertainty means recognizing that surety is complicated and illusory and knowledge is iterative and provisional rather than definitive.

General Gastroenterology

Multidiscipline COVID-19 Clinics as Next Step in Post-Infection Care

By

John Schieszer

In today’s feature article, we talk with Ziyad Al-Aly, MD, of the Institute for Public Health in Washington, DC, who describes treating long-haulers as “America’s next big health crisis.”

Liver

PVT Treatment: Clinical Considerations

By

C. Andrew Kistler, MD, PharmD

The decision whether or not to treat patients with portal vein thrombosis is frequently encountered and remains a challenge.

General Gastroenterology

A Conversation About Racial Disparities in Health Care

By

Betsy Pitner Lowe

Clinical Pain Advisor met with Scharles Konadu, MD, a member of the American Board of Internal Medicine Gastroenterology Specialty Board, to discuss how deeply racial inequity is woven into our health care system.

Colorectal neoplasia

Review of Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening in Hard-to-Reach Populations

By

Diana Redwood, PhD

The COVID-19 pandemic sheds new light on existing access challenges in preventive health care.

Liver

Clinical Practice Update on Bariatric Surgery in Cirrhosis

By

Colby Stong

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has issued a clinical practice update regarding bariatric surgery in cirrhosis.

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD)

Opioids and IBD: Current Challenges

By

C. Andrew Kistler, MD, PharmD

Initiation of opioid use during a flare of symptoms can eventually lead to chronic opioid use (COU), which can have detrimental effects on a patient’s IBD, as well as their overall clinical health.