UAE physicians gather to discuss latest healthcare advances

Dr. Asa'd Dajani and Dr. Adnan Abu Hammour are among the region's foremost authorities on this important medical topic, and are facilitating a number of lectures and workshops on irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation, and dyspepsia in the region.

The aim of the event is to deepen understanding, share some of the clinical practices and advances which have been made in recent years in reducing the symptoms, and combat the advance of these serious conditions.

"Modern medicine has taken significant steps forward in helping to reduce the symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome and chronic constipation, and addressing their underlying causes," said Dr. Asa'd Dajani, who runs his own clinic in Sharjah which concentrates on bowel and stomach disorders.

"We must also look at how we can promote understanding of bowel conditions; too many patients still don't understand what it is and that help is out there. Too many sufferers aren't aware of the vast ways and means there are to counter the painful symptoms," said Dr. Adnan Abu Hammour, former chairman of the Department of Medicine at the American Hospital, Dubai, and now moving to a private practice in Jumeirah.

IBS is a distressing condition that is thought to afflict around 10 to 15 per cent of the UAE's adult population, the majority of them women with symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, constipation or diarrhea.

Although the exact cause is unknown, the condition is thought to be caused by a combination of factors including abnormal movements of the intestine and altered sensation of the gut; some people develop IBS following gut infections and food poisoning.

One of the areas of discussion at the meeting was the different drugs on the market designed to counter stomach and bowel problems. Since its introduction, one such drug, Zelmac, has received significant positive feedback from physicians for helping female sufferers of IBS across the GCC.