Gastroenterology - October 2013 Archives

The reach of social media cannot be denied. It has the potential to connect us, inform us and empower us to achieve healthier, happier lives. That is certainly true when it comes to raising public awareness about medical challenges and solutions. In fact, this past week Mayo Clinic invited doctors, researchers, patients and caregivers to explore the possibilities at The 5th Annual Health Care Social Media Summit. Dennis Douda profiles one of the speakers who is already making a big difference in the lives of others. [pkg. 2:12] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AjHr1NqXuI Journalists: Broadcast quality video and audio is available in the downloads. Click here for a transcript of the video report.  Learn more about the Mayo Clinic Center for Social Media.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Oct. 14, 2013 — Physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of esophageal cancer, according to a new study presented by Mayo Clinic researchers at the American College of Gastroenterology's Annual Scientific Meeting, Oct. 11–16, in San Diego. Esophageal cancer is the sixth most common cancer in men worldwide. Early detection and prevention are critical to survival because most patients do not survive the first year of diagnosis, and only 15 percent of patients survive more than five years. In an analysis of four studies, researchers observed a 32 percent lower risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma in people who were physically active. The analysis also showed the overall risk of esophageal cancer was 19 percent lower among the most physically active people, compared with the least physically active.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOyKwyVTulc Physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of esophageal cancer, according to a new study presented by Mayo Clinic researchers at the American College of Gastroenterology’s Annual Scientific Meeting, Oct. 11–16, in San Diego. “Although the incidence of esophageal squamous cell cancer is declining worldwide, the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma has been rapidly rising. This increase may be partly attributable to the obesity epidemic,” says Siddharth Singh, M.B.B.S., the study’s lead author and researcher at Mayo Clinic. Click here to see the news release. Journalists: Sound bites with Dr. Siddarth Singh are available in the downloads.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q7oFzeLfRE Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are at an increased risk of stroke and heart attack according to a new study presented by Mayo Clinic researchers. In an analysis of over 150,000 patients with IBD in nine studies, researchers estimated the risk of stroke and heart disease in patients with IBD, as compared to the general population. The results of the comparison pointed to a 10-25 percent increased risk of stoke and heart attacks in patients with IBD. The increased risk was especially more prominent in women. “Gastroenterologists should be cognizant of this relationship and should focus on better management of conventional risk factors, such as smoking cessation, recognition and control of hypertension and diabetes,” says Siddharth Singh, M.B.B.S., a study author and Mayo Clinic researcher. Journalists: Sound bites with Dr. Siddarth Singh are available in the downloads.

Join us on Monday, October 7 from 11am-Noon EDT for an @MayoClinic hosted twitter chat where our panel of experts will be answering these and other HCV related questions. - I have been diagnosed with Hepatitis C Virus, HCV—What What tests do I need now? - What treatments for chronic HCV are available now? - What new treatment options may be available to treat HCV in the next 6 months? This twitter chat will be hosted by Mayo Clinic in Florida hepatologist Andrew Keaveny, M.D. The following experts will be answering your HCV questions: •          Moderator: Dr. Andrew Keaveny (@AndrewKeavenyMD)—Mayo Clinic in Florida •          Maria Yataco, M.D. (@MariaYatacoMD)—Mayo Clinic in Florida •          Surakit Pungpapong, M.D. (@SPungpapong)—Mayo Clinic in Florida 

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) has reached an epidemic state and is the most common infectious cause of diarrhea in hospitals. Health care providers are seeing increased severity and recurrence rates of the infection. As a result, new treatments are being tested. Mayo Clinic experts are at the forefront of these tests. In June, Mayo Clinic opened a C. Difficile Clinic to provide these treatments to patients. "New treatment options are now available and we believe that a clinic dedicated to C. difficile will help improve patient care and outcomes," says Sahil Khanna, M.B.B.S., a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist. One new treatment available is fecal transplant. Also known as stool transplant, the procedure restores healthy intestinal bacteria by placing donor stool in the colon. Additionally, there is ongoing research on