Gallstones or "cholelithiasis" are solid lumps of various sizes that develop in the gallbladder when an imbalance arises in the chemical composition of bile. The most common type consists mainly of cholesterol. According to the University of...
Bilirubin is a substance that is found in bile, a fluid that is produced inside the liver, and is the byproduct of red blood cells that are broken down by the body. Bilirubin is yellow in color. When a person's bilirubin levels become higher than...
The liver is a vital organ that makes a large contribution to digestion. The liver is responsible for creating a substance called bile, which gets transported into the gallbladder. Bile is used to help break down dietary fats. The liver also acts...
Elevated alkaline phosphatase is associated with numerous signs and symptoms. According to Dr. Dicken Weatherby, a naturopathic physician and author of the textbook "Blood Chemistry and CBC Analysis," alkaline phosphatase is a group of isoenzymes...
Cynara scolymus, commonly known as artichoke, is a plant used mainly for food, but it also has a role in herbal medicine. Artichoke grows naturally in regions around the Mediterranean, and the tasty flower bud is a vegetable included in olive...
A gallbladder attack often causes symptoms of indigestion, which feels like burning in your upper abdomen. This condition, also known as heartburn, may accompany nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, belching and increased flatulence or gas....
The gallbladder is located on the right side of the abdomen, just beneath the liver. This organ holds bile, a digestive fluid that is released to the small intestine to aid in digestion. Hardened deposits of bile, called gallstones, can form in...
Most of the brown color of the normal stool is a result of old blood cells being broken down into a substance known as bilirubin and released by the liver through bile production into the intestines. The National Institutes of Health states that...
High levels of bilirubin, or hyperbilirubinemia, can be seen in numerous diseases. Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment that is a byproduct of the degeneration and recycling of old red blood cells. The pigment also grants color to the urine and feces...
Total serum protein levels may help your doctor determine if you have certain health conditions. Hypoproteinemia mean you have low serum protein levels. Albumin and globulin are the two components of serum protein. Usually, the albumin is...
Turmeric is used both as a spice and as an herbal medicine. It is also sometimes used to add yellow color to foods. Although it may be beneficial for indigestion, not everyone should consume turmeric in amounts greater than that found in foods....
The liver plays an integral part in the synthesis of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Any compromise of the liver’s functioning makes fewer nutrients available to the body. When a problem occurs, the liver has the ability to regenerate...
The liver is a reddish-brown organ that is in the upper right portion of the abdominal cavity. The liver's functions include the production of bile, which removes waste and aids in the digestion of fat in the small intestine; regulation of blood...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ascaris is the most common type of human worm infection. Ascaris worms may grow up to 12 inches during the adult stage and live in the small intestine, when infecting the human body....
Internal parasitic diseases are not common in the U.S., but do exist. According to MedlinePlus, the parasites range from one celled protozoa to worms seen visible with the naked eye. Infection is caused by eating or drinking contaminated food,...
The National Center for Biotechnology Information states that chronic pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition of your pancreas -- a large gland and organ in your abdomen -- that does not improve over time. Chronic pancreatitis often causes...
Arthritis is one of the most common musculoskeletal health problems in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that almost 21 million Americans suffer from arthritis, a sometimes debilitating condition that causes...
Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage, the spongy tissue that lines the joints, starts to wear away. Without the cushioning effects of cartilage, the bones rub together, causing inflammation, pain and stiffness. There is no cure for osteoarthritis,...
Your liver is one of your most important organs. The American Liver Society states that a typical adult liver weighs approximately 3 lb., filters more than 1 liter of blood every minute and is roughly the size of a football. Your liver is located...
With a warm and slightly bitter flavor, turmeric is traditionally used as an additive to foods. This spice, also called Indian saffron, may yield health benefits when used as a medicinal supplement. Treatment with turmeric supplements may aid in...
The fat-soluble vitamin A is necessary for the synthesis of rhodopsin, a light-sensitive pigment in your retina. Vitamin A also keeps your skin healthy and contributes to the structure of the mucus membranes in your intestinal tract, lungs and...
Chronic liver disease is the 10th most common cause of death in the U.S., according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Chronic liver disease is actually a general term applied to many disorders of the liver, including hepatitis, which...
Milk thistle and dandelion is a popular combination for people who seek to promote liver function. Dandelion root can also promote gallbladder function, stimulate your appetite and act as a digestive aid, according to the University of Maryland...
Taraxacum officinale, commonly called dandelion, is a hardy perennial herb and has spatula-like leaves that are often used in cooking. Dandelion root is used as a complementary medicine in the treatment of breast cancer in the United States;...
Turmeric, the bitter-tasting spice in curry powders and some mustards, has a long history of use as a medicine to treat a wide variety of ailments, ranging from intestinal gas to hemorrhage. Today, it is being investigated as a possible treatment...
Triglycerides are a type of fat circulating in the blood that provides energy to the body, according to the Mayo Clinic. Too much triglyceride in the blood can cause hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of heart...
Alkaline phosphatase or ALP, is a commonly used laboratory value, obtained by a simple blood test, which can help physicians understand why an individual feels sick from any number of various causes. Although liver disease and bone disorders most...
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a burning sensation in the lower chest. It occurs soon after eating foods when a backflow of acid from the stomach irritates the lining of the esophagus -- the swallowing tube that joins the throat to...
Turmeric is an herb that belongs in the ginger family. It is a common ingredient used in making curry powder. In its powder form, tumeric, also is used as an herbal supplement to treat ulcers, inflammation associated with arthritis, colitis and...
