Forty-one per cent of Qatar residents feel that their overall digestive health could be improved, according to the findings of a new survey.
The survey results were discussed at a medical advisory council meeting held in Dubai over the weekend to obtain inputs on the unmet needs in the treatment of diarrhoea and gain an understanding of the prevalence of digestive health issues in Qatar and across the region.
The meeting was attended by leading experts from the fields of gastroenterology, general medicine and pharmacy from across the Middle East.
The findings, which were based on a survey of nearly 200 respondents, revealed that 41% of Qatar’s residents felt that their overall digestive health could be improved. Common digestive health issues include diarrhoea, constipation and heartburn. Further, 24% of those surveyed - who had suffered from acute or chronic diarrhoea - did not treat the condition even though it could interrupt daily activities such as causing respondents to miss school, work and family or social gatherings.
Dr Abdel-Nasser Elzouki, professor and senior consultant (Medicine) and head of General Internal Medicine at Hamad General Hospital, took part in the advisory council.
“There are many myths in the region associated with the treatment of digestive conditions such as diarrhoea. For example, some patients believe they shouldn’t treat diarrhoea because their condition isn’t ‘severe enough’, or that diarrhoea is a defence mechanism to flush out toxins and pathogens from the body. These are barriers we face as medical professionals in ensuring that patients receive the recommended medical care to treat digestive health issues such as diarrhoea effectively,” he said.
The survey was commissioned by Johnson & Johnson, which also sponsored the medical advisory council.
According to the survey, which was also carried out in the UAE, Lebanon and Kuwait, 24% of respondents who had suffered from diarrhoea across the region admitted that they did not treat their condition. Fifty-one per cent of respondents who did not seek treatment believed it’s best for diarrhoea to run its course while 20% weren’t sure how to treat their condition.  
Interestingly, 21% of those surveyed across the four markets - who had suffered from either chronic or acute diarrhoea - treated their condition with natural remedies. For example, they used an absorbent such as charcoal rather than with Loperamide-based medication or antibiotics.
While these natural agents were included in traditional anti-diarrhoeal mixtures, research shows that these absorbents provide little, if any, benefit to adults suffering from diarrhoea.
“As digestive health is the cornerstone of overall wellness, it’s important to seek help if you are experiencing ongoing or irregular digestive issues or think your digestive health could be improved. Qatari residents should consult their healthcare providers to ensure that their digestive health remains balanced throughout the year,” said Dr Elzouki.
The medical advisory council featured a full day of interactive sessions, roundtable discussions and workshops where expert attendees discussed clinical updates as well as their perception and understanding of various diarrhoea treatment options.