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Links & Other Resources

The GI Society does not necessarily endorse the information provided by the following organizations or individuals. This list is intended to give you a well-rounded view of some of the options available. Always consult your physician or health care provider before implementing any major lifestyle or treatment changes.

More information on the GI Tract

Best Medicines Coalition, The
www.bestmedicines.org

Better Pharmacare Coalition
www.betterpharmacare.com/
The Better Pharmacare Coalition was formed in 1997, in response to a new British Columbian government policy called "Reference Based-Pricing" (RBP). Health organizations, patient advocacy groups, and consumers were frustrated by the policy, viewing it as direct interference in the vital doctor/patient relationship and a dangerous impediment to patients' ability to access 5 separate classes of medication. Since then, the government implemented a more sinister form of RBP called Therapeutic Substitution in another class of medication and the coalition is determined to stop these unsafe policies.

BodyWorks Games at Science World British Columbia
www.scienceworld.ca/teachers_outreach/play_online/bw_games.htm
Science World has a few online games, such as Nutrient Roundup where you can "master the ins and outs of nutrition". Learn a bit about the digestive system while having some fun!

Canadian Association for Enterostomal Therapy, The
www.caet.ca
C.A.E.T. is a specialty area of nursing that provides preventive, acute, and rehabilitative care for people with select disorders of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary and integumentary systems.

First Principles of Gastroenterology
http://www.gastrosource.com
This site is an excellent resource for even your most complex GI questions.

International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
www.iffgd.org
IFFGD is a USA-based non-profit education and research organization. Mission is to inform, assist, and support people affected by functional gastrointestinal disorders or bowel incontinence.

Johns Hopkins Gastroenterology & Hepatology Resource Center
www.hopkins-gi.org
The Johns Hopkins Gastroenterology & Hepatology Resource Center provides in-depth information on the GI tract.

Journal Watch Gastroenterology
gastroenterology.jwatch.org
Edited and reviewed by more than 80 physicians, Journal Watch regularly combs 180 medical journals for important findings in gastroenterology.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
www.niddk.nih.gov
Look for information under: Health Information - Digestive.

Quackwatch
www.quackwatch.com
A guide to health fraud, quackery, and intelligent decisions, operated by Stephen Barrett, MD.

Remicade Information
www.remicade-crohns.com
Information relating to infliximab (Remicade) as used for treatment of Crohn's disease provided by Schering-Plough.

Swimming Briefs for Bowel Incontinence
www.discoverytrekking.ca
Unique adjustable swim briefs, for men or women, worn under a regular swim suit. Very effective and comfortable. Simply the best design available anywhere, this was designed by the mother of a teen that suffered from incontinence, and is now being sold worldwide. These are washable and reusable. Two styles to choose from. Retailed individually, but bulk wholesale inquiries are welcome. When visiting the website, click on the Special Needs page to view swimming briefs.

Diet & Nutrition Information

Dietitians of Canada
www.dietitians.ca
Dietitians of Canada is the nation-wide voice of dietitians and a trusted source of information on food and nutrition for Canadians. If you are looking to find a dietitian in your area, then this website can help! Access to information is via internet only.

Health Castle
www.healthcastle.com
Health Castle is an online-only nutrition community run by registered dietitians. Here you will find helpful, wide-ranging nutrition articles.

HealthLink BC Dietitian Service
(Formally Dial-a-Dietitian)
www.HealthLinkBC.ca
This is a great resource for food and nutrition issues, just dial 8-1-1 from anywhere in BC.

EatRight Ontario
www.eatrightontario.ca
EatRight Ontario, a provincially funded service designed to help Ontarians improve their health and quality of life through healthy, nutritious eating.
Toll Free in Ontario only 1-877-510-5102

www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/fiche-nutri-data/index_e.html
www.nutritiondata.com
www.eatracker.ca
These links offer food composition and analysis information.

toronto.foodontario.com
www.foodvancouver.com
We realize that many people have special dietary needs, so our mission is to provide information on special dietary concerns, as well as showcase some of the many fine restaurants and food establishments that Vancouver and Toronto has to offer. Information is also available via iPod - see websites for details.

Celiac Disease

Canadian Celiac Association
www.celiac.ca
Toll Free Phone: 1-800-363-7296

Fondation Québécoise de la Maladie Coeliaque
www.fqmc.org
Téléphone: 514-529-8806

Tax concessions for Canadians using Gluten free products that have been diagnosed with Celiac disease will find this government page helpful.
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/tpcs/ncm-tx/rtrn/cmpltng/ddctns/lns300-350/330/clc-eng.html

Ostomy Resources

Living with an ostomy has a variety of challenges and the best way to meet these is with the guidance of healthcare professionals. It helps to have accurate and up-to-date health information. Whether you are facing a decision to undergo ostomy surgery and are seeking assistance, or have lived with an ostomy for a long time, you will likely find the information offered by the organizations we've linked to here helpful. Many of these other groups will mail you free patient information on request and their websites include valuable links to additional resources.

Canadian Association for Enterostomal Therapy
www.caet.ca
National organization representing nurses who care for individuals with wound, ostomy, and continence issues. Free educational material on ostomies available for download. Toll-Free: 1-888-739-5072

Ostomy Software
www.ostomysoftware.com
Offers a broad range of information, including a free downloadable "decision-tree" to aid in pouch selection.

Friends of Ostomates Worldwide
www.fowusa.org
Organization devoted to providing education and supplies to those in need around the world.

International Ostomy Association
www.ostomyinternational.org
General information on ostomies. Includes a link to Fatwa that allows Muslims with ostomies to enter a mosque.

Gay and Lesbian Ostomates
www.glo-uoaa.org
Toll-Free: 1-800-826-0826

United Ostomy Association of Canada
www.ostomycanada.ca
Toll-Free: 1-888-969-9698

Johns Hopkins University
www.hopkins-gi.org

Cleveland Clinic
www.clevelandclinic.org/colorectal

If you do not have access to an Enterostomal Therapy Nurse and need assistance with your pouching system, the following ostomy supply companies in Canada have toll free Customer Service Representatives that may be able to provide assistance. Product samples, educational material, and general assistance are also available through each of the following companies:

Coloplast
www.coloplast.ca
Toll-Free: 1-866-293-6349

ConvaTec
www.convatec.com
Toll-Free: 1-800-465-6302
Toll-Free Emergency: 1-888-235-7918

Hollister
www.hollister.com
Toll-Free: 1-800-263-7400

How to Find a Doctor/Gastroenterologist

You might want to help your general practitioner find a specialist that is right for you. The following websites allow you to search for a doctor by specialty and the location where they practise. Nation-wide information is available through The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada website (www.rcpsc.medical.org). Search their physician database to find a gastroenterologist in your area. You will still have to be referred to a specialist by your family physician.

Alberta
www.cpsa.ab.ca

British Columbia
www.cpsbc.ca

Manitoba
www.cpsm.mb.ca

New Brunswick
www.cpsnb.org

Newfoundland & Labrador
www.nmb.ca

Northwest Territories
www.rcpsc.medical.org

Nova Scotia
www.cpsns.ns.ca

Nunavut
www.rcpsc.medical.org

Ontario
www.cpso.on.ca

Prince Edward Island
www.cpspei.ca

Quebec
www.cmq.org

Saskatchewan
www.quadrant.net/cpss

Yukon
www.rcpsc.medical.org

Pharmacists/Pharmacy

Canadian Pharmacists Association
www.pharmacists.ca
613-523-7877
Toll Free 1-800-917-9489

Alberta College of Pharmacists
www.pharmacists.ab.ca
780-990-0321
Toll Free 1-877-227-3838

College of Pharmacists of British Columbia
www.bcpharmacists.org
604-733-2440

Manitoba Pharmaceutical Association
www.napra.ca
204-233-1411

New Brunswick Pharmaceutical Society
www.nbpharmacists.ca
506-857-8957

Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board
www.nlpb.ca
709-753-5877

Northwest Territories Regulatory Authority
www.hlthss.gov.nt.ca
867-920-8058

Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists
www.nspharmacists.ca
902-422-8528

Ontario College of Pharmacists
www.ocpinfo.com
416-962-4861

Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec
www.opq.org
514-284-9588; Toll Free 1-800-363-0324

Prince Edward Island Pharmacy Board
www.napra.ca
902-658-2780

Saskatchewan College of Pharmacists
www.saskpharm.ca
306-584-2292

Yukon Regulatory Authority
consumer@gov.yk.ca
867-667-5111

Government Health Information

Health Canada
www.hc-sc.gc.ca

Alberta
www.healthlinkalberta.ca
Toll-free in AB: 1-866-408-5465

British Columbia
www.bchealthguide.org
Toll-free in BC: 1-866-215-4700

Manitoba
www.gov.mb.ca/health/guide
Toll-free in MB: 1-888-315-9257

New Brunswick
www.gnb.ca/0217/Tele-care-e.asp
Toll-free in NB: 1-800-244-8353

Newfoundland & Labrador
www.yourhealthline.ca/en
Toll-free in NL: 1-888-709-2929

Northwest Territories
http://www.hlthss.gov.nt.ca/english/health/default.htm
Toll free in NWT: 1-888-255-1010

Ontario
www.healthyontario.com
Toll-free in ON: 1-866-797-0000

Quebec
http://www.msss.gouv.qc.ca/en/
Call Services Quebec at 418-266-8900 for the phone number of your local Info Santé.

Saskatchewan
www.health.gov.sk.ca/healthline-online
Toll-free in SK: 1-877-800-0002

Yukon
http://www.hss.gov.yk.ca/