https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sagr <p style="font-weight: 400;"><em>THE SOUTH AFRICAN&nbsp;GASTROENTEROLOGY REVIEW&nbsp;</em>is written by specialists in the field. Its&nbsp;aim is to publish articles pertinent to the&nbsp;practicing Gastroenterologist in South&nbsp;Africa. The South African Gastroenterology&nbsp;Review is distributed to a broad spectrum&nbsp;of clinicians who have an interest in clinical&nbsp;gastroenterology and hepatology.&nbsp;</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">The views expressed in individual articles are&nbsp;the personal views of the Authors and are&nbsp;not necessarily shared by the Editors, the&nbsp;Advertisers or the Publisher. No articles may&nbsp;be reproduced in any way without the written&nbsp;consent of the Publisher</p> In House Publications en-US South African Gastroenterology Review 1812-1659 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sagr/article/view/268949 <p>Pediatric gastric disorders present complex challenges influenced by various lifestyle factors, including diet, behavior, and environmental exposures. This paper delves into the multifaceted impact of lifestyle on gastric health in pediatric populations, exploring common disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, Helicobacter pylori infection, and gastritis. It highlights the clinical presentations, diagnostic approaches, and treatment strategies tailored to pediatric patients, emphasizing the significance of lifestyle modifications in optimizing outcomes and preventing complications.</p> <p>The analysis focuses on anatomical and physiological differences in the pediatric gastric system, elucidating how developmental changes influence disease manifestations and management strategies. Additionally, the paper discusses the role of dietary patterns, eating behaviors, and psychosocial factors in exacerbating or alleviating gastric symptoms. By integrating evidence-based lifestyle interventions into clinical practice, healthcare providers can enhance diagnostic precision, implement targeted treatments, and improve the overall well-being of pediatric patients with gastric disorders.</p> Nazmul MHM Srikumar Chakravarthi Mohammad Abdur Rashid Farzana Y Ansary Ahmed Copyright (c) 2024 2024-04-20 2024-04-20 22 3 1 9 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sagr/article/view/268950 <p>Gastric problems are common during pregnancy, affecting a significant proportion of women and presenting unique challenges for management and treatment. This review explores the prevalence, types, risk factors, and management approaches for gastric symptoms experienced by pregnant women. Hormonal changes, increased intra-abdominal pressure, and dietary/lifestyle factors contribute to the occurrence and severity of gastric problems, including heartburn, nausea, constipation, and bloating. The review discusses non-pharmacological strategies such as dietary modifications and lifestyle changes, along with safe pharmacological interventions, highlighting the importance of personalized care to optimize maternal comfort and fetal safety. Challenges in diagnosis and management, including safety considerations and individual variability in response to interventions, are also addressed. Overall, this paper emphasizes the significance of addressing gastric problems in prenatal care to improve maternal health outcomes and enhance the pregnancy experience.</p> Halima Sadia Hakim Kohinoor Pervin Rajesh Thangarajan Mohammed Shahjahan Kabir Lubna Shirin Flora Tasmin Nahar Jasvindar K Sivasuthan Letchumanan Nazmul MHM Copyright (c) 2024 2024-04-20 2024-04-20 22 3 10 17 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sagr/article/view/268952 <p>Pediatric gastric disorders present a diverse range of challenges in clinical practice. This review examines the anatomy and physiology of the pediatric gastric system, outlines common gastric disorders (including GERD, peptic ulcer disease, and H. pylori infection), and discusses diagnostic modalities and treatment approaches. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based strategies to guide healthcare professionals in effectively managing pediatric patients with gastric disorders.</p> Nazmul MHM Mohammad Abdur Rashid Maria Noureen Srikumar Chakravarthi Copyright (c) 2024 2024-04-20 2024-04-20 22 3 18 27 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sagr/article/view/268953 <p>Gastric problems are common during pregnancy and can significantly impact maternal well-being. This research paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of gastric issues experienced by pregnant women, focusing on their prevalence, contributing factors, and physiological mechanisms. A systematic review of literature was conducted to analyze existing studies on gastric problems during pregnancy. The review revealed that a high proportion of pregnant women experience gastric symptoms, including heartburn, acid reflux, nausea, constipation, and bloating, which can vary in severity across trimesters. Hormonal changes, increased intra-abdominal pressure, and altered gastrointestinal motility are key physiological factors contributing to these symptoms. The implications of gastric problems on maternal health and fetal development are discussed, emphasizing the importance of effective management strategies. Non-pharmacological approaches such as dietary modifications and lifestyle changes are highlighted, along with considerations for safe pharmacological interventions. This paper concludes by identifying future research directions aimed at improving the understanding and management of gastric problems in pregnancy, with implications for prenatal care and maternal health outcomes.</p> Nazmul MHM Kohinoor Pervin Mohammed Shahjahan Kabir Lubna Shirin Rajesh Thangarajan Jasvindar K Sergey Gupalo Saeid Reza Doustjalali Fazlul MKK Sivasuthan Letchumanan Negar Shafiei Sabet Copyright (c) 2024 2024-04-20 2024-04-20 22 3 28 36 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sagr/article/view/268954 <p>The concept of "Wellness Starts in the Gut" highlights the fundamental role of gastrointestinal (GI) health in overall well-being. This paper explores the intricate relationship between the gut and various aspects of wellness, focusing on the gut-brain axis, gut microbiota, and factors influencing GI health. The anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal system are discussed, emphasizing the role of digestion and gut microbiota in maintaining health. Common GI disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and acid reflux are examined, along with strategies to promote GI wellness through diet, lifestyle modifications, and the use of probiotics and prebiotics. By understanding the importance of GI health and implementing practical approaches to support it, individuals can enhance their overall wellness and quality of life. This paper concludes by highlighting future research directions aimed at advancing our knowledge of gastrointestinal wellness.</p> Nazmul MHM Fazlul MKK Mohammed Shahjahan Kabir Lubna Shirin Farzana Y Ashraful Kabir Sergey Gupalo Saeid Reza Doustjalali Negar Shafiei Sabet Ansary Ahmed Copyright (c) 2024 2024-04-20 2024-04-20 22 3 37 44