Visceral hypersensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been associated with mast cell activation. In a recent study published in Gut, Belgian researchers tested whether mast cell stabilization would improve abnormal visceral perception. Sixty IBS patients underwent a barostat study to evaluate rectal sensitivity to distention. The patients were then randomized to receive ketotifen (a [...]

Although its primary business is providing mainstream news, the U.S. News & World Report is best known for its annual rankings of best colleges, graduate schools, and hospitals. This week, the Report released its 2010-2011 rankings of the best hospitals in the United States, based on aggregate performance scores in 16 specialties. For Gastroenterology, there [...]

Although the idea of having an endoscope inserted into the rectum may be a strong deterrent for many from obtaining a colonoscopy, patients who have undergone the procedure frequently tell me that the bowel preparation is the worst part of the process. Besides having to tolerate the distasteful bowel preparation cocktail, there are the hours [...]

Hot on the heels of approving the first rapid HIV antigen and antibody combo test, the FDA announced today the approval of the first rapid hepatitis C virus (HCV) test. The OraQuick HCV Rapid Antibody Test is a simple point-of-care test for diagnosis of HCV infection. The user swabs the mouth to collect a sample [...]

The Mayo Clinic presents an easy-to-understand animation for consumers about the pathophysiology behind acid reflux. The video begins with a brief layout of the upper gastrointestinal anatomy, identifying the esophagus, the stomach, and the diaphragm. The video also points to the lower esophageal sphincter, but does not refer to it by name. There is a [...]

Colorectal cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-death in the United States. It is also one of the most preventable form of cancer if detected early, so concerted efforts have been made to increase colonoscopy screening rates. The routine screening interval after a negative colonoscopy is 10 years, but does this suffice for all [...]