Role of the GP in managing digestive health by Dr Sarah Jarvis

This article offers GP’s support and guidance in improving a patient’s quality of life with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) through appropriate management in Primary Care. IBS is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders seen in primary care. Digestive health problems are increasing and are often triggered by lifestyle factors. IBS has a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life and mental health. GPs are usually the first port of call, with some IBS patients attending appointments 8-10 times per year.

Winter is a challenging time for the NHS and in particular elderly patients. This article provides an understanding on how healthcare professionals can help their patients optimise their immune health with evidence -based interventions over the winter months - written by Dr Sarah Jarvis.

This article offers gastroenterologists an insight into ideal probiotic characteristics which need to be considered in clinical practice. This includes a discussion on the safety profile of probiotics, their resistance to gastric acidity, the delivery system and the importance of formulation.

Dr Kevin Barrett discusses the key challenges of antibiotic use, with a focus on the increasing evidence showing the effect antibiotics elicit on the balance and function of the gut microbiome (GM), This article will explore how antibiotics impact the GM, implications across the lifespan and practical steps that GPs can take to mitigate the impact on their patient’s GM in clinical practice,

This article offers GP’s the support and guidance to optimise management strategies for Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) in Primary Care. UTIs are one of the most common types of infections in the UK population and account for an important proportion of antibiotics prescribed in primary care. UTIs are becoming increasingly difficult to treat due to the widespread emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). To prevent AMR and resistant infections, different alternatives have been investigated in the management of UTIs. GPs are usually the first port of call with UTI patients accounting for 1-3% of all GP appointments each year.

This article provides an understanding on the diagnostic criteria for IBS, insight into the intestinal microbiota and the role that probiotics can play in treatment of this disorder. In addition to this, we will explore the growing interest in the role of faecal microbiota transplants in treating C.Difficile.