'Tis the Season for Awareness About GI Disorders

The Celiac Sprue Association/United States of America Inc (CSA) has designated October as Celiac Sprue Awareness Month. The CSA is a not-for-profit educational organization that provides information and referral services for patients with nontropical sprue (celiac disease [CD]) and dermatitis herpetiformis and for parents of children with CD. The aim of the designation is to increase awareness of the disorders, the clinical diet, and the organization through publicawareness activities and an annual conference. For more information about CD, visit www.csaceliacs.org/infocenter.

CSA is not the only organization working to raise awareness about gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. The International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) Inc?a nonprofit education and research organization whose mission is to inform, assist, and support people affected by GI disorders?has designated November 23 to 29, 2003, as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Awareness Week. The goal is to raise awareness during the week of Thanksgiving that not all heartburn is ?holiday heartburn.? During this time, patients with GERD-like symptoms are encouraged to call the IFFGD Heartburn Helpline at 888- 964-2001 or visit www.iffgd.org to receive information and support regarding GERD.