Top Story

• Study shows benefits, drawbacks of CT scans for colon cancer
  A CT scan or virtual colonoscopy that uses a dye to highlight fecal matter in the colon was successful at finding most large polyps but did not do as well with smaller polyps when compared with standard colonoscopy, a study found. The CT scan does not require a laxative bowel preparation, which can be a barrier to colorectal cancer screening, and researchers said the test could be useful as a first step in screening some patients. At this time, the procedure is not recommended for general use. Annals of Internal Medicine (5/15)

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Guide to Healthy Living

• Healthy seeds are a good source of fiber, dietitian says
  Seeds, including sunflower, sesame, pumpkin and flax, are high in fiber and offer other health benefits, says registered dietitian Jessica Crandall, a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Crandall said seeds can be great snacks by themselves or added to recipes and foods, but cautioned that because they are nutrient-dense they also can add calories. Staten Island Advance (N.Y.) (5/14)

• Studies link beverages to food choices
  Two studies in the journal Appetite linked beverage choice to eating habits. One study of 60 adults found that drinking soda led people to eat more salty, high-calorie foods, while the other showed that preschoolers ate more vegetables when drinking water, compared with juice or a sweetened beverage. The Oregonian (Portland) (5/14), MedicalDaily.com (5/14)

• High school athlete does not let UC keep her down
  Maryland high school sophomore Gaby Culver is trying to manage her symptoms of ulcerative colitis so she can continue to play softball and field hockey. She says UC has forced her to grow up more quickly and "to push through a lot of difficult things" as she now has to keep a tight rein on her stress and diet to reduce flare-ups. The Daily Times (Salisbury, Md.) (5/14)

Diagnosis & Treatment

• Study: No link between beta blockers, colon cancer risk
  Beta blockers used to treat high blood pressure do not reduce the risk of colon cancer, a German Cancer Research Center study found. The idea that the drugs would affect cancer risk came from lab studies that said the stress hormone norepinephrine, which beta blockers inhibit, may contribute to cancer cell growth. Yahoo!/HealthDay News (5/14)

• Anal fissure cream meets goal of reducing pain, study shows
  A study of diltiazem hydrochloride cream, an experimental drug for treatment of anal fissures, met its goal of reducing pain in testing on 465 patients, the drug's maker, Ventrus Biosciences, reported. Anal fissures are painful tears in the anal lining. Medscape (free registration) (5/14)

• Analysis links PPIs to higher risk of C. diff infection
  An analysis of 42 observational studies found proton pump inhibitors raise the risk of Clostridium difficile infection, especially for patients taking antibiotics, U.K. researchers reported in the American Journal of Gastroenterology. Researchers said PPIs should be avoided by patients taking antibiotics "unless there are clear gastrointestinal indications for acid-suppression therapy." Medscape (free registration)/Reuters (5/14)

• Unsedated TNE safe, less costly, research suggests
  Unsedated transnasal endoscopy is safe and well-tolerated by patients being evaluated for esophageal disease, according to a large U.S. study published in GIE. Researchers said it could be more cost-effective and lower-risk for patients than standard upper endoscopy. EndoNurse (5/2012)

Policy Watch

• Lawmakers: Medicare deal is unlikely before 2013
  Congress is unlikely to strike a deal to overhaul Medicare and Medicaid before next year, Reps. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., said. Instead, Congress is likely to extend current policies during the lame-duck session. Modern Healthcare (subscription required) (5/15)

• HHS releases Web-based tool for evaluating health data
  HHS has introduced a Web-based tool called the Health System Measurement Project to simplify public monitoring and searching of federal health care data sets. The tool allows users to explore national trends in health IT and care, as well as cost and affordability. Modern Healthcare (subscription required) (5/15)

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The Last Word

News and information from the American College of Gastroenterology

• Constipation sufferers: Fiber to the rescue
  While everyone's had a bout of constipation at one point, eating a high-fiber diet can help alleviate the symptoms and promote normal bowel function. Learn more about fiber, its benefits and which foods you should eat to increase your fiber intake.

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We do not remember days, we remember moments." --Cesare Pavese, Italian poet, novelist and critic