Wormwood, known botanically as artemisia absinthium, is an especially bitter herb that grows throughout North America, Europe and Western Asia. It is well known as the primary flavoring ingredient in absinthe, a strong, emerald-colored liquor that...
Lactobacillus acidophilus, a species of probiotic or "friendly" bacteria, offers several important health benefits to people of all ages. Acidophilus promotes overall wellbeing and may play a role in the treatment or prevention of several common...
Irritable bowel syndrome is a common digestive condition that causes irregularity in your large intestine. Nausea after eating is a common symptom of IBS, along with other gastric symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, cramping and constipation....
When starting up a weight loss program, some try to do so naturally, but others need supplements such as fat burners. Fat burners may help, but could cause a scary situation. Hydroxycut, one brand of fat burner, has been found to cause serious...
Colon cancer is a cancer that appears in the large intestine, which is in the lower part of the digestive system, before the tract ends. Patients typically have a genetic disposition to colon cancer; those with a family history of the disease are...
Abdominal swelling after eating is a common symptom of many digestive conditions. The swelling, or bloating, is caused by excessive gas that forms as a result of an adverse reaction to a certain food or an ingredient in a food. If your swelling is...
Bloating and stomach pain after eating are common symptoms of various gastrointestinal conditions. If you experience these symptoms consistently you may have food intolerances, a food allergy or irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. Keep a dietary log...
The thyroid is a small gland located at the base of the neck that produces hormones important in regulating specific body functions, such as metabolism and the sleep-wake cycle. In the United States, more than 27 million people--the majority of...
While most types of candy provide little in the way of health benefits, peppermint candies may help some conditions and make you feel less guilty about enjoying an occasional sweet. Leaves from the peppermint plant provide a flavorful addition to...
Gluten is one of four proteins found in wheat that can cause an allergic reaction, according to the Food Allergy Initiative. Most people with a true gluten allergy are under the age of three years. A gluten allergy is commonly confused with gluten...
A common ingredient in herbal tea, ice cream, soap, shampoo, lip balm, mouthwash, gum, candy and toothpaste, peppermint has numerous medicinal and nutritional benefits. It is native to Europe and a hybrid between watermint and spearmint....
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that leads to difficulties with abdominal pain and cramps, bloating, gas, intestinal spasms, and irregularities with bowel movements. The cause of the disorder is mostly...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is a common cause of frequent indigestion. However, many other more serious diseases are often misdiagnosed as IBS, so don't immediately accept IBS as an explanation. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is characterized by...
Diverticulitis is a gastrointestinal condition caused by the inflammation of pouches in your intestinal wall. Symptoms include abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Maintaining a daily fiber intake of 25 to 35 grams can help...
Gastrointestinal bleeding or blood when a child passes stool can be, but is not necessarily, a sign of a serious health problem. However, Johns Hopkins Children's Center underscores the importance of finding the source of the bleeding. Bleeding...
While normal bowel movements differ from person to person, if you are not having at least three bowel movements per week then you are constipated. Constipation is characterized as having dry, hard stool that is difficult to pass and irregular...
Your body may lose potassium if you have frequent diarrhea due to irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. As an electrolyte, this essential mineral plays crucial roles in fluid balance, nerve conduction, heart function and muscle contraction. The...
Chronic constipation is the inability to have normal bowel movements on a regular basis. It is an ongoing condition that can have a variety of causes. Metabolic imbalances, reactions to medications, neurological disorders and insufficient fiber in...
Healthy people typically have blood levels of potassium that range between 3.6 and 4.8 milliequivalents per liter, or mEq/L, MayoClinic.com reports. If your potassium levels fall below this range, your doctor may diagnose you with potassium...
Many people use over-the-counter laxatives to treat occasional constipation. Some of the most popular laxatives used include products that contain magnesium salts. Although the use of laxatives can acutely relieve symptoms of constipation, overuse...
A severe stomach flu can leave the lining of your intestines damaged, even after the viral infection is gone. The stomach flu, medically known as viral gastroenteritis, is not related to the influenza virus, but is caused by various other viruses....
Zocor, also known as simvastatin, is a cholesterol-lowering medication. Zocor works by blocking the production of cholesterol in the body, allowing for a reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol in the blood. A...
There are many reasons why you develop pains in the stomach after eating, but some conditions are more common than others. Any time you experience prolonged or recurring pain, you need to make an appointment with your doctor for evaluation. Pains...
Gluten can contribute to intensified symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. MayoClinic.com states that food intolerances and allergies effect on IBS are not clearly understood. If you notice that wheat products trigger your IBS symptoms, talk with...
The digestive process transforms food into microscopic particles that nourish the body. Humans utilize two types of digestion -- mechanical, such as chewing, and chemical, using enzymes. Digestive juices hold these enzymes and are released by the...
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a disorder of the digestive tract that results in muscle spasms, pain, gas, bloating and irregular bowel movements. Its cause is largely unknown, but it is suspected that muscle sensitivity and brain...
Fiber plays an essential role in a well-balanced diet. Not consuming 20 to 25 grams daily, as recommended by the American Dietetic Association, can have harmful effects across various bodily systems. The disadvantages of not eating enough fiber...
Chocolate does not cause stomach bloating in healthy adults. If you develop stomach bloating after eating chocolate, you may be lactose intolerant. Lactose is present in chocolate products because most are made from milk solids. If you have not...
There is no normal pattern for bowel movements. Some people have about one a day, but others may have as many as three. Generally, you can consider yourself constipated if you pass less than three stools a week for a minimum of three of the last...
