New Clinical Trials for Digestive Diseases

People coping with some type of digestive disease should consider enrolling in a clinical trial. The latest studies are uncovering even better ways to treat these conditions, as well as providing insights into the underlying  causes. Subjects who qualify can benefit from experimental therapies and expert medical care.

Participants in digestive disease clinical trials will be monitored closely to determine the effects of applied therapy. Each subject’s progress will be marked over the course of the study period. Investigators may need to continue to record data on participants following the treatment phase of the digestive disease clinical study.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a digestive disease, you can take a more active role in your health care by participating in a clinical study. Below you’ll find a running list of active digestive disease clinical trials from around the country. Learn which trials are being conducted locally and what you’ll need to know prior to enrollment.

What is a Digestive Disease?

Digestive diseases can vary between an upset stomach to much more severe conditions like colon cancer. Someone who’s living with a digestive disease could struggle with disorders of the:

• Gastrointestinal tract
• Liver
• Gallbladder
• Pancreas

Digestive disease is an umbrella term which can describe a whole range of medical conditions. Patients are often affected socially, physically and psychologically. These are some of the more common digestive diseases:

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) – This condition is characterized by a backward flow of stomach acids into the esophagus.
• Crohn’s Disease – This is a chronic condition that can cause the intestinal wall to thicken, which can obstruct the bowels and intestinal tract.
• Ulcerative Colitis – An inflammatory condition that affects the inner lining of the large intestine.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – The patient’s colon becomes incredibly sensitive to stress, gas and IBS trigger foods.
  

Digestive diseases have a large impact on the current health care system in the U.S. Leading research has made use of state-of-the-art technology to revolutionize our approach to treating GERD and other conditions. Further studies should help minimize the costs related to diagnosing and treating digestive diseases.

(You can find out more by visiting the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the American Gastroenterological Association)

Treatment for Digestive Disease

Digestive diseases can have a significant impact on the patient’s life when left untreated. Severe cases can ruin new job opportunities, relationships and even distance family members. Also, these medical conditions can be physically debilitating over time.

There are a wide variety of treatments available for digestive diseases. Your health care provider will choose to prescribe treatment based on the type of disorder you have been diagnosed with. In the past, digestive diseases have been treated with:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Fiber supplements
• Antidepressant medications
• Immune system suppressors
• Antibiotics

There is still no cure for many of these digestive diseases. Contemporary treatments are primarily focused on relieving symptoms so that patients can enjoy a higher quality of life.