KOCHI:
‘Any ongoing problem with your gastrointestinal tract or abdomen and the discomforts affecting your normal routine should not be ignored. Dr. Simon Travis, UK’s leading Gastroenterologist and Past-President, the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) said.
He was addressing the delegates at the on its second day on the strategies to create awareness and methods for comprehensive and effective management of gastroenterological problems.
‘It can be abdominal pain, severe diarrhoea, blood in stool, loss of appetite, feeling like food is stuck in throat, bloating(gas), constipation, fatigue and weight loss, fever or vomiting. Don’t endure in seclusion. Bring it up to the doctor’ he said ‘ for it might be symptoms of long lasting Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or lots of other conditions that need attention including, Inflammatory Bowel Disease or IBD (Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s disease), celiac disease, ulcers, or in rare occasions, cancer.’
Inflammatory Bowel Disease as the name suggests is the disorder causing chronic inflammation of digestive tract. ‘Ulcerative Clotis affects the large intestine whereas Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the digestive system.’ he said.
IBD is heterogeneous in nature, so each patient has an individual disease profile. Dr. Simon Travis further explained that Patients with IBD are managed in five basic principles (a) Staging the disease by defining location, severity and duration (b) stratifying patients based on risk factors (c) set treatment goals (d) select appropriate treatment for improved patient outcomes and (e) supervise therapy.
Scientific Sessions:
The conference at Lulu Bolgatty International Convention Centre, Kochi on its second day saw scientific sessions in three parallel tracks. Important sessions on “Journey of fat in the body – A source of energy or a source of disease”, GI disease burden in India, Enhancing care in IBD, Colonoscopy challenges, Hepatitis C – Virus treatment, Liver disease burden in India, Complications of Cirrhosis and various endoscopic procedures were held, Dr. Mathew Philip, Organizing Secretary and Director, PVS Institute of Digestive Diseases said.
More than a hundred eminent specialist doctors from United States, Europe, Asian and African countries are holding deliberations to share their treatment strategies, operator expertise and cutting edge techniques in Gastroenterology. Twenty three international faculty who are worldwide experts in various aspects of Gastroenterology are speaking in the four days scientific journey, in addition to 300 renowned faculties from India.
Hands-on workshops for both doctors and endoscopy technicians and Training Programme for nurses are other highlights of the event. A national level quiz program called Masterminds in Gastroenterology will be held for trainees.
The delegates will participate in a mini marathon on Friday to spread the message of ‘healthy life for healthy gut’.
The 59th Annual conference is held in the state after a gap of sixteen years. The conference is being organized by the Kerala chapter of Indian society of Gastroenterology in association with the Cochin Gut Club.
