Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Latest Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Veterans diagnosed with reflux issues often start on high doses of drugs, rarely stop therapy

U.S. veterans diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are frequently prescribed doses of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as omeprazole (commonly known by brand names such as Prilosec), that are much higher than recommended --- and they are kept on the drug far too long, according to a new Northwestern Medicine- study.

21 Feb 2013

Four genetic variations may increase risk of colorectal cancer

An international research team co-led by cancer prevention researcher Ulrike "Riki" Peters, Ph.D., M.P.H., and biostatistician Hsu Li, Ph.D., at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has identified variations in four genes that are linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

21 Feb 2013

Resistant starch kills pre-cancerous cells and reduces inflammation

As the name suggests, you can't digest resistant starch so it ends up in the bowel in pretty much the same form it entered your mouth. As unlovely as that seems, once in the bowel this resistant starch does some important things, including decreasing bowel pH and transit time, and increasing the production of short-chain fatty acids. These effects promote the growth of good bugs while keeping bad bugs at bay.

20 Feb 2013

Radiographs at age 15 predict third molar impaction

Delayed root development of the mandibular third molar at age 15 years predicts subsequent impaction, according to a prospective observational study.

18 Feb 2013

General practitioners ‘may miss UTI in children’

Family doctors need to lower their threshold of suspicion for urinary tract infection in children, according to UK research.

18 Feb 2013

Colorectal cancer outcomes could be improved with regular genetic screening for Lynch syndrome

Cleveland Clinic researchers have found that colorectal cancer outcomes could be improved with regular genetic screening for Lynch syndrome, the most common hereditary, adult-onset cause of colorectal cancer, as published in the online version of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

16 Feb 2013

Elemental diet may help adults with eosinophilic esophagitis

Results from a small study suggest that consumption of an elemental diet for 2–4 weeks results in a significant histologic improvement in adult patients with eosinophilic esophagitis.

14 Feb 2013

Growth factor aids mandible reconstruction

Surgeons have used recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 to successfully restore mandibulectomy defects with few adverse effects.

12 Feb 2013

Oral Candida infection weakens tooth enamel

Oral infection with Candida albicans is associated with demineralization of tooth enamel, potentially increasing susceptibility to caries, research shows.

11 Feb 2013

Parenteral nutrition safety: an interview with Dr. Phil Ayers, A.S.P.E.N PN Safety Task Force Chair and Dr. Peggi Guenter, Director of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.)

Parenteral nutrition is intravenous nutrition for patients who are unable to eat or be tube fed. It is used with more than 300,000 patients per year - a quarter of whom are children and newborns.

11 Feb 2013

Taro, Sun Pharma mutually agree to terminate merger agreement

Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced today that they have mutually agreed to terminate their merger agreement, announced in August 2012, pursuant to which all shareholders of Taro would have received a cash payment of $39.50 per share upon the closing of the merger.

10 Feb 2013

Positive data from POZEN's PA32540 Phase 3 studies presented at AHA 2013 stroke conference

POZEN Inc., a pharmaceutical company committed to transforming medicine that transforms lives, presented data today from the combined results of two Phase 3 studies of PA32540, an antiplatelet therapy of enteric-coated (EC) and immediate-release omeprazole, in patients with previous cerebrovascular disease.

10 Feb 2013

Northwestern Medicine to open new Outpatient Center in Glenview, Illinois

Northwestern Medicine today announced that on March 1 it will open a new Outpatient Center at 2701 Patriot Boulevard in Glenview, Illinois. At this new center, 20-30 physicians will offer patients a wide range of primary care and specialty clinical services.

10 Feb 2013