PRESS RELEASE
23 May 2012
Public Forum on Digestive Health
Do you suffer from common gastrointestinal complaints such as heartburn or constipation or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? If so, the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre (APC) at University College Cork invites you to a Public Forum on 29th May.
The aim of this Forum is to increase awareness about gastrointestinal health and IBS and provide up-to-date information for patients and their families on living with these conditions. The event takes place in Lecture Theatre G01, Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, UCC, College Road, Cork from 7.00-8.30pm. All are welcome and admission is free.
The forum will be chaired by Professor Eamonn Quigley, Professor of Medicine at UCC, Consultant Gastroenterologist at Cork University Hospital (CUH) and Principal Investigator at the APC. Professor Quigley, Dr Anton Emmanuel, University College London & Consultant Gastroenterologist, University College Hospital & National Hospital of Neurology & Neurosurgeryand Ms Sarah Keogh, Dietician ,The Albany Clinic, Dublin, will each give presentations followed by a question and answer session with the audience.
Professor Quigley will provide an update on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and research on IBS at the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre in Cork. IBS is a common disorder of the gut (affecting 15-20% of the population) which features abdominal pain and cramping, an abnormal bowel pattern (diarrhoea, constipation or both) and abdominal bloating. Professor Quigley will discuss how these common gastrointestinal symptoms occur and explain how altered brain-gut communication, low-grade inflammation and altered gut bacteria all contribute to IBS.
Dr Anton Emmanuel, in his talk "Constipation; new ideas on a common problem" will discuss chronic constipation, it's relationship with IBS, and how new pharmacological agents including probiotics can be used alongside classical laxatives.
Ms Sarah Keogh will provide practical advice on diet and gut health. Her presentation will look at the key foods to avoid when you have heartburn, the importance of good eating habits for digestion as well as some practical advice on diet and constipation.
The 29th of May each year is designated World Digestive Health Day by the World Gastroenterology Organisation which seeks to encourage dialogue between healthcare providers and sufferers alike to understand these common symptoms, what they may mean and how they should be appropriately and effectively managed.
The Public Forum is supported by an unrestricted grant from Danone Ireland Ltd.
For further information please contact: Dr Catherine Buckley, Communications and Outreach Manager, Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre U.C.C. tel: 021 4903362; 086 8554744; email