Media Release

Udupi, May 28: The department of gastroenterology and liver diseases, Kasturba Hospital Manipal organized a free camp and awareness programme for the public and patients with digestive discomforts on the occasion of World Digestive Day on Saturday May 28 at the hospital premises here. The doctors at the camp duly emphasized on food allergies, food intolerance, irritable bowel, coeliac disease and various intestinal disorders.

The camp was inaugurated by Dr (col) M Dayananda medical superintendent and COO, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal. Dr Rajgopal Shenoy associate dean, Dr Shiren Shetty consultant gastroenterologist and other dignitaries were present. A patient awareness booklet was also released on the occasion. The programme was organized in association with Boston Scientific – the leading medical equipment manufacturing MNC.

Dr (col) M Dayananda said that the one-day camp was being organized to increase public awareness on food intolerance and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and their prevention. Dr Shiran Shetty, associate professor department of gastroenterology and liver diseases said that cases of food allergy, glutein (wheat) allergy are known to exist. Food intolerance and IBS can be seen in upto 40 per cent of the population. Food allergies are also seen in our Indian population especially in children upto 4 per cent.

The common symptoms of food intolerance and IBS according to leading consultant Dr Ganesh Pai, professor and head, department of gastroenterology Kasturba Hospital Manipal are; abdominal pain, vomiting, loose stools, bloating and discomfort. “There is no single test which can diagnose the above problems but after getting to know the patient’s history and careful examination and relevant lab tests we can confirm the diagnosis,” he said.