Lactose intolerance is a condition characterized by the sufferer's inability to digest lactose -- a sugar found in milk and other dairy products. It is a fairly common condition that affects approximately 50 million Americans. The underlying cause...
Diarrhea--frequent, watery bowel movements--is uncomfortable and unpleasant, but treating it usually requires nothing more than waiting it out for a day or two while taking steps to remain healthy in the meantime. Sometimes diarrhea can signal a...
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a relatively common gastrointestinal disorder that may cause abdominal pain, bloating, cramping, mucus in the stools, flatulence and either diarrhea or constipation. Less common symptoms include fatigue,...
Blood appears in the stool for various reasons, including infection, cancer, digestive disorders and open wounds, such as hemorrhoids and ulcers. Blood may be visible to the human eye in some cases, suggesting the blood is from the lower...
People who experience episodes of indigestion, bloating, heartburn, nausea or diarrhea due to overeating may experience relief from these uncomfortable symptoms following treatment with Kaopectate. This over-the-counter medication should only be...
All toddlers get sick occasionally, and common symptoms in young children include diarrhea and rashes. Most of the time these ailments are caused by a virus and they pass on their own, but you can speed your toddler's recovery by keeping him...
Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) is an over-the-counter medication used to manage heartburn, nausea, indigestion and stomach problems. According to MedlinePlus, Pepto-Bismol is an antidiarrheal medication that decreases intestinal inflammation...
Sarsaparilla grows in Jamaica, Mexico, Honduras and India, where the roots of this woody trailing vine are used for medicinal purposes. It has a sweet spicy taste and a pleasant aroma. Sarsaparilla was used to treat syphilis as far back as...
Stomach virus, or viral gastroenteritis, is the inflammation of the stomach and the intestines caused by viruses like astrovirus, enteric adenovirus, norovirus and rotavirus. The disease is more prevalent among the very young and the very old. The...
Clostridium difficile is a strain of bacteria that can overgrow and cause a potentially severe infection in the large intestine. When antibiotics are used to fight infection elsewhere in the body, they sometimes have the side effect of killing off...
Quite a few folk remedies use common food items, such as honey, yogurt and garlic, in their recipes. These remedies, which treat conditions such as coughs and diarrhea as well as skin issues, are simple to make and require ingredients that most...
Parasites invade your stomach and intestines, causing gastrointestinal problems that can lead to weight loss. The symptoms of intestinal parasitic infections can easily be confused with the symptoms of other gastrointestinal illnesses in the early...
Diarrhea is a condition that describes loose, watery stool that may occur multiple times per day. Causes of diarrhea include a virus, reactions to medications, a side effect to medical treatments or because of medical conditions. Treatments for...
Taking care of yourself requires thinking about what goes into your body, the exercise your body undergoes and the internal workings you can't see. High cholesterol--and the problems the condition causes--is an area of concern for doctors and...
Most people get diarrhea from time to time, whether from illnesses such as the flu, from something they ate or as side effects from starting medications. A disruption in the gastrointestinal system allows too much liquid to remain in food that's...
Diarrhea is one of the few intestinal problems a pregnant woman may actually avoid. Diarrhea can occur early in labor but it can also be the result of a gastrointestinal infection, such as the ingestion of bacteria. Moderate diarrhea can lead to...
Digestion begins in the mouth as salivary glands moisten the foods consumed. The food proceeds down the esophagus to the stomach where stomach acids are added to further breakdown food. Eventually, the food reaches the intestines and works it way...
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the digestive tract. Symptoms of the disease include diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, ulcers, reduced appetite and weight loss. Severity of symptoms ranges from mild to severe and...
MedlinePlus explains that animal products that are undercooked or poorly handled are common sources of salmonella infection. Except in serious cases, a medication isn't the first line of treatment. Instead, an infected person should keep up with...
Salmonella is a general term for food poisoning caused by approximately 2,000 types of related bacteria. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, there are an estimated 1.4 million cases of salmonella in the United States each year....
Impacted colon, also known as fecal impaction, occurs when stool becomes hard and dry and is difficult to eliminate from the rectum. As the impaction worsens, it may cause symptoms such as small stools, straining during bowel movements and rectal...
Pantoprazole--made by the pharmaceutical company, Pfizer--is the active ingredient in Protonix. An acid blocker, it's used to treat erosive esophagitis, a condition of the esophagus associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD....
The gallbladder is an organ that collects and stores bile, a digestive fluid that is made by the liver. The removal of the gallbladder is known as a cholecystectomy. Cholecystectomy may be necessary if you experience pain from gallstones that...
Diarrhea is the increase in the volume and frequency of loose, watery bowel movements. It is also generally accompanied by gas, cramping and feelings of urgency. Causes of diarrhea may vary from irritating foods, stress, tumors and drugs to...
Fecal incontinence is the inability to control the evacuation of solid waste from the body, according to the National Association for Continence, or NAFC. Experts say that more than 6.5 million Americans are afflicted with the condition. Fecal...
You have diarrhea if you have been passing loose and watery stools at least three times a day. Chronic diarrhea, or that which lasts four or more weeks, may actually be a clue that you have a chronic disorder such as irritable bowel syndrome or a...
All foods may become contaminated with bacteria or viruses, but eggs pose a particularly high risk for transmitting salmonella bacteria. The nutrient-rich yolk provides a near-perfect environment for bacterial growth. Commercial eggs undergo...
Don't be surprised if your child gets diarrhea now and then. Diarrhea is a serious problem for small children, who can get very sick and even die because of the dehydration and loss of electrolytes diarrhea causes, according to the University of...
Camping in the wilderness can be a rewarding, safe experience. Nonetheless, it takes some preparation. It is possible to get lost and hurt while camping. You should make sure you know how to handle yourself if you get lost in the wilderness, what...
Spastic Colon is commonly known as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) which is a problem people have when there are intestinal motility problems. Learn more about the symptoms, prevention, and treatment of this condition in this video.
