A recent review of 5,600 people with long-term medical conditions (including IBD) demonstrated that almost 1/3rd of all prescribed long-term therapy was not taken as recommended by their doctors (less frequently or not at all). Frequently cost was cited as the main reason for this. A prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) may be of some help in cutting down these costs.…
This week I notice the BBC have shared 2x patient accounts of their experience of living with a stoma. Both women underwent colonic surgery; one because of cancer and the other one because of Crohn’s disease. For those unfortunate enough to need surgery, these accounts provide a useful and uplifting account of life beyond stoma formation.
We are looking to introduce Pan-Enteric Capsule endoscopy shortly at the L&D. Potentially this could spare patients from having to undergo 3 separate procedures; SBCE, and invasive upper endoscopy + colonoscopy A second-generation colon capsule (PillCam), designed to evaluate the entire small bowel and colon, has shown promising results (NEJM JW Gastroenterol Dec 2011 and Gastrointest Endosc 2011; 75:581). …
Hypermobility Syndrome / Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Within the field of gastroenterology I often see this condition typically associated with slow transit constipation, which in turn leads to gas trapping, uncomfortable bloating distension and lower abdominal cramps. To make a simple assessment one can use the Beighton Score by clicking on the link provided by the Hypermobility Syndromes Association In general…
Please click on this link to find attached a patient advice sheet for Selective IgA Deficiency provided by Primary Immunodeficiency UK (PID UK) - www.piduk.org They also offer free membership for and support. Joining is free and easy to do. You can do this via their website at www.piduk.org/register/ Members also get a monthly eâ€bulletin and two newsletters per year.
Recurrent isolated RUQ abdominal pain (e.g. often under the right ribs) is common and abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome is said to account for 2% of all presentations to A+E with acute abdominal pain. Click on this link to review a recent systematic review of the literature assessing outcomes from;- a) Trigger point injection (TPI) alone – 86% short term successful…
Pancreatic cancer is a major problem in UK and unfortunately it is often picked up late I attach here a Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Sheet for your information
Dansac have kindly produced this simple visual chart documenting the different types of colonic surgical resections If the full picture isn’t clear seen, please click on this link to open it up in a larger window