hotels articles

For many of us taking our annual two week summer vacation is the highlight of the year, having made it through the long cold winter months, fighting off illness after illness and putting up with cold dark mornings and nights when we get to the warmer months of the year we feel as though we have earned the right to have a bit of a relax on the beach and enjoy some quality time with the family. Over the past 15-20 years the holiday market has changed greatly, with the greatest changes coming in the past 10 years mainly thanks to the growth of the internet and the rise in popularity of the low cost airlines that now fly to so many popular destinations. Because of these changes the way we book and take our vacations has evolved from being a trip down to the local travel agent to see what deals were available to being able to book our vacation ourselves directly with the accommodation and the airline. So with more vacation options available to us than ever before where should we look to book our vacation to this year?

In years gone by the most popular holiday accommodation was the hotel complex with a pool but now more and more people are moving away from this conventional holiday accommodation and are looking to book themselves and their family a private holiday home away from the masses of tourists that invade many resorts each year.

The benefits of booking a private holiday home are numerous but the main attraction for many families is the versatility that a private holiday home allows you as well as the peace and quiet that you will generally get when staying away from the tourist throngs. Many private holiday homes tend to be out of town properties that offer great access to both the surrounding countryside as well as all of the local amenities as well as having more facilities than your average holiday hotel room.

Depending on what you are looking for in a holiday home you will generally be able to find something to meet you needs by searching on the inter web for a property that perfectly suits the needs of your family, whether it be the number of bedrooms that you require, a larger kitchen or a swimming pool, by comparing the properties available at your chosen destination you should be able to find a private holiday home that both suits your pocket and your requirements.

Many of the private holiday homes that are available for rent are owned by families that themselves use the property throughout the year and then rent it out when they do not require it, these are always a better option to go for than a holiday home that is just solely for rent and not used by the owners as they will usually have all of the creature comforts that you would expect of a holiday home rather than being a basic holiday dwelling.

Finding your ideal private holiday home is easy if you use the inter web and does away with having to rely on a travel agent to sort your holiday for you, all you need to do is make contact with the property owner and sort out your flights, which is now much easier than in the past, and there you have a ready made holiday that exactly matches your requirements.

ADA access signs are signage that includes the International Symbol of Accessibility, or ISA.

For many years, the symbol for wheelchair accessibility has been a familiar sight in cities all across the nation. It is typically used to mark areas where environmental barriers have been altered or removed to allow equal access to wheelchair users.

When anyone sees these symbols on restroom ADA signs, they understand that the area is accessible. But what does that mean exactly? Let’s explore what accessibility means to wheelchair users and the general public.

Accommodating people with disabilities

People with disabilities live in the same world as everyone else because they are the same as everyone else. Wheelchair users do not want special treatment, only accommodation to allow them equal access to public facilities as those without mobility impairments.

They do not want to be seen as victims of their conditions, or portrayed as tortured individuals courageously struggling with their afflictions. Disabled people would rather be regarded as individuals who accomplish average everyday activities by finding alternative ways and means to do so. To achieve and lead normal lives, disabled people are best aided by removing the barriers put before them by our society, not the obstructions of their own bodies.

ADA access signs are designed to mark areas where these barriers and obstructions have been removed, providing disabled people with sufficient accommodations.

ADA restroom access sign characteristics

There are a variety of restroom ADA signs using the ISA symbol. They range from signs with symbols indicating men’s restroom, women’s restroom, or unisex restroom facilities to signs that feature the ISA symbol by itself.

These signs also typically include Braille lettering for use by people who are blind or have low vision. The symbols and lettering are printed using contrasting colors and legible fonts. As a rule, all of these images are raised to further aid in sign reading.

ADA access signs identify accommodations

The ISA symbol seen alongside these sign elements indicate that the restroom has been adapted for use by wheelchair users.

The facility contains toilet stalls built at the regulation measurements to comfortable fit wheelchairs and allow for mobility within the stall. The sign also indicates that certain tools to aid mobility, such as handrail bars, are also present. Other parts of the stall such as bathroom tissue holders and coat hooks are place at a height easily reachable by the average wheelchair user. These measurements are contained in ADA guidelines provided by the government.

Also, the restroom may have automatic doors with devices used to open them. These doors are created at a specific size to accommodate wheelchairs, and the devices to open them are placed at a practical height where they can be reached easily.

All of these accommodations are indicated by restroom signs that contain the simple and effective ISA symbol.

Be sure your business has the proper ADA access signs

If you are a business owner or manager, you know the value of purchasing ADA access signs and displaying them in the proper places.

This simple act shows your dedication to accommodating wheelchair users. Everyone including your customers, clients, employees, and guests, will make good use of your signs. They will be confident to conduct business with you knowing you are interested in accommodating everyone equally.

No family wants to return home exhausted, wishing they could take a vacation from their vacation. Amie O’Shaughnessy, founder of the leading family-friendly accommodations guide Ciao Bambino, offers these 5 tips to ensure that your family trip runs as smoothly as possible.

1. Choose Wisely

It is essential that your family chose a destination that fits with the amount of time allotted for the vacation. If you are traveling to Europe, for example, you should plan on staying at least 10 days due to the time difference and the travel hours. If your children are very young, creating simple itineraries with no more than two location changes will help the trip run smoothly. And if your children are of different ages, make sure that you choose an accommodation that will be suitable for all. Babies and toddlers are often easily entertained, while older kids are more discerning about what activities they deem enjoyable. Don’t forget to factor in your own idea of what constitutes a good vacation. There are plenty of family-friendly accommodations that cater to parents, offering a spa, fitness classes or a golf course onsite.

2. Understand the Range of Accommodation Options

Accommodations vary quite a bit by destination. Condos and apartments can be stellar in some locations but low quality in others. Also, you will need to know the level of responsibility you want to take for your trip. If your family requires a range of amenities and onsite services, then double-check to make sure that your accommodation provides what you are looking for. If you’re more independent or see your family being out and about every day, then make sure you aren’t going to be paying for property features you will not be using. Many properties can recommend babysitters, but be aware that there is a range of rates. If babysitter rate information is not available online, ask the concierge to confirm it for you so you can understand how this will impact the budget for your trip. Many beach hotels offer kids clubs, but be sure and understand any age restrictions before you commit to a property, as it would be frustrating to show up and find out your kids are too young to participate. Goals vary from trip to trip, so it’s a good idea to make a list of your family’s priorities before you make final accommodation decisions.

3. Plan but Don’t Overplan

Vacations run smoothly when families combine structured activities such as guided tours and classes with pure, unadulterated time to relax. Overly scheduled trips are stressful, more reminiscent of work or school than a vacation. Leave some open time for your family, but make sure that the activities that are part of your priority list - popular museums and guided tours, for example - are booked well ahead of time. If you’re traveling to a beach, your family could benefit from the all-inclusive set ups offered by some resorts and hotels, saving you the stress of piecemeal activity pricing.

4. Understand the Trip Participant Dynamics

It’s important to take a close look at your family’s interactions and dynamics. How does everyone get along in close quarters? Some families adapt easily to a single house, while others are better suited for separate accommodations in a resort setting. The latter works especially well for single families, while a villa rental might be the best option if you’re traveling with a larger group. Many full service resorts now offer onsite villa rentals, combining the best of both worlds. Traveling with more than one family can be tricky, so make sure that you know each other’s traveling preferences and living penchants beforehand.

5. Maximize Use of Online Resources

With the proliferation of online resources for family travel, finding a great vacation property has never been easier. Dedicated family travel resources are growing on the web. Ciao Bambino publishes a comprehensive guide to family-friendly accommodations highlighting the features families need to consider when making travel and itinerary decisions . Delicious Baby offers city guides and a wealth of tips, articles, and information for families. TravelMuse is a new website that publishes original articles and information around a number of international destinations - many of their articles are about family travel related topics .

A well-planned vacation can be the highlight of the entire year! There is no need to fear traveling to dream destinations with your kids in tow.

When did you last spoil yourself?.

I mean really spoil yourself, like a 5 star resort style holiday.

Way out of my league, resorts are for the rich I hear you say.

So whats a resort?

A resort consists of 5 star accommodation which consists of lavishly appointed apartments or suites, offering restaurants,bars, gyms, and lounge ares.these areas are usually adjacent to pools, spas, lagoons,beaches and golf courses.Resorts are found in exotic locations, such as, Hawaii, Pacific Islands, South America, Caribbean, Europe, Australia, America, Mexico, Canada, in fact you will find resorts all over the world.Most resorts border on sea frontages and offer a variety of aquatic activities,other resorts provide beautifully manicured golf courses.

A resort will seduce you with its opulent surrounds and service
.
A resort will pamper you and cater for your every whim.

A resort will feed your ego.

Tourism is a growing industry, I have been in the business for over 20 years,managing caravan parks, motels and resorts, hospitality generates, employment and commerce and makes huge contributions to many countries economies.

If we look at the social ladder most families can only take holidays in accommodation they can afford, its a question of their budget, of which a high percentage will be consumed by accommodation fees, resorts have a reputation of catering for the rich and famous and are only accessible to those who can afford to pay the high tariffs.
It is now possible to subscribe to a luxury resort membership…oh yes I hear you cry, luxury memberships with luxury prices, out of my league again fella.Well these memberships all so provide a fantastic business opportunity, that being the ability to earn $1000 commissions from each membership.
How would you like to be able to choose from 5000 luxury resorts, situated in exotic locations throughout the world at prices you will not believe….let me pass that by you again….5000 luxury resorts world wide.
How does a seven day stay in a sumptuously appointed apartment, for less than $300 sound……that’s around $45 a day.
So tell me….is that out of your league?.
Can you not now treat and pamper yourself at an exotic location you have long been dreaming of, are you not, long overdue a slice of the good life,go for it, its reachable.

When did you last spoil yourself?.

I mean really spoil yourself, like a 5 star resort style holiday.

Way out of my league, resorts are for the rich I hear you say.

So whats a resort?

A resort consists of 5 star accommodation which consists of lavishly appointed apartments or suites, offering restaurants,bars, gyms, and lounge ares.these areas are usually adjacent to pools, spas, lagoons,beaches and golf courses.Resorts are found in exotic locations, such as, Hawaii, Pacific Islands, South America, Caribbean, Europe, Australia, America, Mexico, Canada, in fact you will find resorts all over the world.Most resorts border on sea frontages and offer a variety of aquatic activities,other resorts provide beautifully manicured golf courses.

A resort will seduce you with its opulent surrounds and service
.
A resort will pamper you and cater for your every whim.

A resort will feed your ego.

Tourism is a growing industry, I have been in the business for over 20 years,managing caravan parks, motels and resorts, hospitality generates, employment and commerce and makes huge contributions to many countries economies.

If we look at the social ladder most families can only take holidays in accommodation they can afford, its a question of their budget, of which a high percentage will be consumed by accommodation fees, resorts have a reputation of catering for the rich and famous and are only accessible to those who can afford to pay the high tariffs.
It is now possible to subscribe to a luxury resort membership…oh yes I hear you cry, luxury memberships with luxury prices, out of my league again fella.Well these memberships all so provide a fantastic business opportunity, that being the ability to earn $1000 commissions from each membership.
How would you like to be able to choose from 5000 luxury resorts, situated in exotic locations throughout the world at prices you will not believe….let me pass that by you again….5000 luxury resorts world wide.
How does a seven day stay in a sumptuously appointed apartment, for less than $300 sound……that’s around $45 a day.
So tell me….is that out of your league?.
Can you not now treat and pamper yourself at an exotic location you have long been dreaming of, are you not, long overdue a slice of the good life,go for it, its reachable.

Adult smoking prevalence has been falling in the United States, down from 42.4 percent in 1965 to 24.1 percent in 1998, a 43 percent reduction. The percentage of adults who never smoked increased from 44 percent in the mid-1960s to 55 percent in 1997.1 It is not surprising then that owners of restaurants have responded to changing customer preferences by changing how they allocate their air space between smoking and non-smoking use. Restaurants without non-smoking seating sections have become exceptions. These provisions are not isolated to locations where state or local laws restrict or ban smoking and indicate an active private market in accommodation.

It has been shown that areas with lower adult smoking rates have more smoking laws and bans. It is important to note, however, that such laws have been introduced without much benefit of research on how the private market has dealt with the issue of accommodation of both smokers and non-smokers. Proponents of smoking restrictions often argue that smoking exerts a negative externality on non-smokers and that governments should control smoking through laws and bans. [Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, 2002] Even if such externalities exist, it would appear to be useful first to ask whether, in the absence of laws, private markets work toward internalizing the externalities. An active market in accommodation might indicate that laws and bans are simply overturning, partially or totally, actions of owners that had successfully dealt with smoking-related externalities.

This paper examines the diversity of private market accommodations in roughly 1,000 restaurants and bars in Wisconsin. We develop a model that predicts which factors determine the share of seating devoted to non-smoking use within the setting of profit-maximization. While it is important to note that the data are limited to Wisconsin, this is likely a reasonable case study for a number of reasons. First, the state has few stringent smoking laws, providing a rich data set to explore how voluntary choices of owners are related to various factors. This analysis examines laws each owner may be subject to and considers this information in the model. Wisconsin is also not an outlier because it does not ban smoking everywhere, as does California, nor does it fail to control its use in restaurants, as does Nevada. Finally, the adult smoking rate in Wisconsin is 23.4 percent, which is well within two standard deviations from the median smoking rate of 22.9 percent of all states. [Cook, 1999]
Advertisement

The paper begins with a literature review summarizing previous studies that address smoking policies. This is followed by a description of the data. An economic model then indicates which factors underlie smoking policies chosen by owners, and determines which factors are important to smoking policies in the absence of government restrictions and which factors are no longer important following the imposition of smoking laws. The conclusion discusses implications about the private market in accommodation and the effects of smoking bans and restrictions on individual owners.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Only limited research has been conducted on the private market in accommodation. Two studies directly examine seating allocations within restaurants and bars. Boyes and Marlow [1996] examine survey data in San Luis Obispo, one of the first cities to institute a ban on smoking in restaurants and bars. Sixty-four restaurants and bars were surveyed-roughly 65 percent of all affected businesses. The authors suggest that an active market in private accommodation existed prior to the ban because 62 percent of owners had non-smoking sections.

Logit models of support for bans in San Luis Obispo were estimated using data from a random survey of 764 individuals, 84 percent of whom were non-smokers. The empirical evidence indicates that the odds of supporting the smoking ban are significantly lower for respondents who smoke and are male. Age, education, and whether or not a respondent resided in the local community did not significantly influence odds of supporting the ban. Despite widespread support for the bans a significant percentage of the non-smokers (62 percent) also believed that smoking/non-smoking sections dealt effectively with smoking prior to the ban. Apparently, while a majority of non-smokers believed that the private market in accommodation was effective, they nonetheless favored outright bans.

Dunham and Marlow [2000a] also study private market accommodation. They examine national survey data drawn in 1996 from owners/managers of 1,300 randomly selected restaurants (650) and bars/taverns (650) across the United States. Samples were drawn in a statistically random manner and were applicable to all such establishments with a maximum sampling error of approximately plus or minus 4 percentage points. The survey found that, for restaurants, on average, 54 percent of seating was allocated to non-smoking, and for bars/taverns 5 percent was thus allocated. Both restaurants and bars/taverns exhibited cases where smoking was entirely prohibited as well as allowed throughout establishments. The authors conclude that state smoking laws do not influence allocations of non-smoking seating and suggest that laws are passed in states with relatively few smokers and therefore owners had already allocated relatively many seats to non-smoking use prior to the passage of laws. This hypothesis is supported by their finding that states with relatively many people involved in the tobacco manufacturing industry are significantly less likely to pass smoking laws than those states with relatively few workers. They also find that the percentage of seating allocated to non-smoking is negatively related to the percentage of smokers in the population, is significantly higher for owners affiliated with chains, and is significantly lower for older businesses and for bars.

It is becoming more common in the U.S. workforce that persons are maintaining employment longer for both personal and financial reasons. Americans over the age of 55 account for 22% of the nation’s job growth and represent 18 million persons in the workforce. (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000). As the baby-boom generation moves toward retirement age and as health care advances continue, more individuals are choosing to continue to engage in full and part time work activities. The value of work as a source of personal identity and reward, remains a strong component of many aging person’s lives. (Szymanski, Ryan, Merz, Trevino & Johnston-Rodriguez, 1996).

As a result of persons remaining in the workforce, the opportunity for greater occurrences of traumatic and disease related disabilities exist. Fortunately, advances in medicine and rehabilitation, have made living and working with a disability a greater possibility. Aging with a disability has been described as one of the most important new developments in rehabilitation. (Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, 2001). The purpose of this article is to identify some of the key issues affecting older persons with late-onset disabilities (post age 55) and to offer some recommendations for rehabilitation professionals to facilitate maximum adjustment to employment and other important life areas.

Psychosocial Adjustment
Advertisement

With aging and the occurrence of later-in-life disabilities, numerous employment and other important life domain issues emerge that can require significant life adjustments. Psychosocial adaptation to disability involves complex interactions between personal, social, and environmental factors for each person (Keany & Glueckauf, 1999). Livneh (2001) recommends viewing adaptation ecologically, and that practitioners use an eclectic approach to teach adaptive coping skills, help client work through perceptions of loss, and assist in modification or removal of environmental barriers. Adjustment to disability for persons with late-onset occurrence can be challenging because of their pre-disability lifestyle and level of functioning. Because of their age and life experiences, such persons have acquired certain stability and predictability factors related to their personal, family, and work life. The occurrence of a disability can potentially disrupt many of the previously manageable aspects of their life such as employment, relationships, and economic independence and lead to feelings of frustration and despair. Their values tend to be more stable and entrenched and can present challenges to adapting to new changes. Successful adjustment requires a level of value examination, a reshaping of values and goals, and implementation of coping strategies (Keany & Glueckauf, 1999). Persons with late-onset disabilities face the dual challenge of adjusting to both their disability and aspects of growing older with the accompanying physical and role changes.

There are certain implications for persons with late-onset disability entering rehabilitation settings. For older persons, independence, effort, accepting pain, and maximizing functional ability are valued often at the expense of comfort and nurturance (Hartke, 1991).

In rehabilitation, goals are often defined by values that constitute quality of life, such as suitable income, independent living arrangement, driving privileges, and job satisfaction. Being able to develop or maintain a positive or high quality of life after a disability is one of the key outcomes in rehabilitation (Kemp, 2000).

Employment

From an employment standpoint, older persons with late-onset disabilities have followed a more traditional career development evolution as described by Super and other theorists (Szymanski, Hershenson, Enright & Ettinger, 1996). In general, their work lives have had elements of choice and some degree of opportunity to move among various employment situations. Many have had stable careers in semi-skilled, skilled, and professional occupations and are actively planning for retirement. In fact, 33% of the workforce over the age of 55 is employed in managerial and professional occupations (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000). With the occurrence of a disability after the age of 55, questions regarding ability or lack of ability to remain in employment become important considerations. Financial matters also become significant as adjustment to a reduced level of income is frequently required. The individual may need to explore benefits, such as short and long term disability and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Future vocational planning with realistic job goals can become a major task for those who desire to continue working. Even consideration of a career change may be a challenge for persons who have remained in one career throughout their employment history, not to mention issues around physical stamina, sensory acuity, and cognitive functioning brought on by the disability or simply the function of age. Some older adults have decided not to pursue competitive employment due to their age and disability and are using vocational programs inappropriately to remain active. Many older persons are not pursuing competitive employment goals, but rather are using vocational programs as a social outlet (Drebing, Losardo,Van Ormer, Krebs, Penk, Nasser, et al, 2002). Alternative programming should be sought for such persons.

WHEN 30 Dell temporary employees walked off the job in February, saying they weren’t allowed to conduct sunset prayers, it brought attention to Muslim prayer accommodation in the workplace.

Globally, there are an estimated 2 billion Muslims, with 7 million living in the United States. “Islam is one of the fastest-growing religions in the world,” says Rabiah Ahmed of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Washington, DC, advocacy group for the American Muslim community.

According to CAIR’s annual civil rights report, religious accommodation is consistently one of the top three concerns for Muslim Americans. Muslims, Ahmed says, are “dealing with issues other minorities and religious groups have dealt with in trying to accommodate a religion as well as other responsibilities.” A Muslim’s responsibilities include praying five times a day, ideally in a certain time frame.

And unlike in other faiths, Muslims need to step away from work to pray, Ahmed says.

Employers must accommodate workers who ask for that time unless accommodation creates an undue hardship on the business, says Lori Carr, an employment partner with law firm Gardere Wynne Sewell in Dallas. An undue hardship can be financial or nonfinancial, such as the impact on morale or scheduling. “It’s really [determined] on a case-by-case basis,” Carr says. Ahmed believes entrepreneurs must be aware and flexible. “[Muslims’ responsibilities] can be accommodated if both parties are willing to work at it,” she says. CAIR offers a booklet that helps companies implement Islamic religious practice policies that work for both sides.

Employers could soon find it harder to claim undue hardship, no matter what the religion: In March, the Workplace Religious Freedom Act-which would update Title VII rules to require employers to accommodate employees’ religious needs unless they would create “significant difficulty or expense”–re-emerged in Congress for the seventh consecutive session, co-sponsored by Sens. Rick Santorum (R-PA) and John Kerry (DMA). With bipartisan support, it might not take a wing and a prayer to pass this time.

33% of Americans do not feel secure with their personal finances.

Accommodating a longtime employee’s medical impairments does not establish that an employer regarded the employee as disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), according to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

In June 2003, Connie Cigan, a 30-year employee of the Chippewa Falls School District, retired from her position as physical education instructor. According to Cigan, the school district forced her to retire because of her medical impairments, which included arthritis, bursitis and degenerating spinal discs.

Before her retirement, the school permitted Cigan to take time off work and to ask other teachers to cover some of her duties or to adjust their own teaching periods to provide her with additional rest time.

In January 2003, the school superintendent informed Cigan that he would not recommend renewing her contract for the 2003-2004 school year. Cigan decided to retire at the end of the school year.
Advertisement

Cigan then filed a lawsuit, alleging violation of the ADA based upon her “forced” retirement, which she characterized as a constructive discharge. The lower court dismissed her claims, and the 7th Circuit agreed, holding that constructive discharge must include “unendurable working conditions.” Cigan’s argument that working conditions are irrelevant when the prospect of discharge lurks in the background was unfounded in law. The prospect of being fired at the conclusion of an extended process is not itself a constructive discharge, the court said.

The appeals court also held that Cigan was not “disabled” under the ADA because she did not show she was substantially limited in any major life activity. Instead, Cigan asserted that the school district had “regarded” her as disabled, based primarily on the district’s efforts to accommodate her impairments.

The ADA requires employers to provide certain accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, and to engage in an interactive process to determine the applicability and reasonableness of the accommodations. For most purposes, a person “regarded as” disabled by an employer has the same rights as a person who actually is disabled. An individual is regarded as disabled when the employer believes that an impairment substantially limits one or more of the employee’s major life activities.

The 7th Circuit, however, was unwilling to accept the premise that an employer offers accommodations only if it thinks an employee suffers from a substantial limitation in a major life activity. Instead, the court specifically found that “decent managers” try to help employees cope with declining health without knowing or caring whether an employee fits the description in the federal statute. Similarly, managers can respond to state and local laws, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements without implicitly concluding that an employee is disabled.

RELATED ARTICLE: Professional Pointer

Regarding an employee as disabled may trigger an employer’s duty to accommodate. However, this case reassures employers that not every attempt to accommodate an employee’s medical impairment will be viewed as evidence that the employer regarded the employee as disabled.

The development of obesity is the result of an imbalance between food intake and energy expenditure. The mechanisms that control food intake or energy expenditure are not fully understood. Signals that arise from the GI tract contribute to meal termination and, hence, determine meal size. One of the modulations of upper GI secretion, sensation, and motility is the neurotransmitter, somatostatin. Octreotide, the cyclized analog octapeptide, binds preferentially to type 2 somatostatin receptors. Some studies have shown the effects of somatostatin or the synthetic analog, octreotide, on human GI motor functions in health and disease states. To further this research area, a group of researchers from the Mayo Clinic compared the effects of octreotide and a placebo on postprandial symptoms, satiation, and gastric volumes in obese patients.

In a randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 26 obese but otherwise healthy subjects received 100 micrograms of octreotide or placebo simultaneously 30 minutes before each study. Studies were performed on two separate days and included validated noninvasive techniques: 99mTc-single photon emission computed tomography imaging to measure fasting stomach volume and gastric volume changes after 90 mL of water, 240 mL of Ensure, and a standardized nutrient drink test to measure the maximum tolerated volume and postprandial symptoms.
Advertisement

Relative to placebo, octreotide increased gastric volume after 90 mL of water, but fasting and gastric volume change post-Ensure and maximum tolerated volume of Ensure were not different. Octreotide decreased sensations of fullness and bloating and tended to reduce aggregate symptoms after the fully satiating meal.

In obese individuals, somatostatin analog significantly reduced postprandial sensations after a satiating meal without altering maximum tolerated meal volume or post-nutrient gastric volume, suggesting an effect on upper gut sensation. The data also suggest that different mechanisms come into play in the presence of nonnutrient or nutrient loads to the stomach. The role of somatostatin as a permissive factor in the development of obesity by reducing postprandial sensations deserves further study.