In 2007, the Food and Drug Administration approved a 60mg strength version of the prescription version of the drug orlistat for over-the-counter use. Alli is used as part of a weight loss regime that includes exercise and a low fat diet. As is the...
Betel nut chewing originated in the tropical regions of southern Asia, but it has gradually spread to communities in Madagascar, eastern Africa and the West Indies. Quid, or chewable drug, made from betel nut typically contains a combination of...
Vomiting and diarrhea are symptoms that can be quite violent and potentially life-threatening, especially when they occur frequently. Sometimes, eating spoiled food that hasn't been refrigerated can lead to these symptoms. In other instances, a...
Rotavirus is a highly contagious virus that causes vomiting, diarrhea and a fever. The symptoms are most severe in young children, according to the South Dakota Department of Health. There is no cure for the rotavirus, only treatments to prevent...
Glycerin, also called glycerol, is a thick, colorless and odorless liquid derived from fats and oils used in making soap. It’s used in various industries and products, such as antifreeze, sweeteners, dynamite, cosmetics, inks and lubricants....
Colorectal carcinoma, or colon cancer, is a deadly disease that affects upwards of 135,000 and kills more than 55,000 patients per year, according to an article in the March 2005 "Clinics in Laboratory Medicine." Protocols such as rectal exams and...
Micro-K medicine, potassium chloride is used to treat low blood levels of potassium, a condition known as hypokalemia. Low potassium levels can result from disease or the effects of some medications. These levels can also decrease after a...
A fecal impaction occurs when a hard piece of stool becomes stuck in the rectum. It is most often seen in people with long-term constipation, as the stools become dry and hard and difficult to pass. A fecal impaction is diagnosed with a rectal...
Inadequate nutrition, drug interactions, alcoholism and malabsorption syndromes, such as celiac disease, can cause vitamin deficiencies. Gastritis, an inflammation of the lining of your stomach, can also cause a vitamin deficiency, specifically of...
Alli, a brand name for the medication orlistat, is an over-the-counter product approved as a weight-loss aid by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It works in conjunction with a low-fat diet and exercise program to help people drop pounds. Dr....
Most children occasionally experience some type of gastrointestinal illness. Some of these bowel disturbances are caused by bacteria, parasites, or viruses, and the child recovers fairly quickly, with or without medication. At other times, the...
In a world obsessed with thinness, losing weight without even trying sounds wonderful. However, although it's normal for body weight to fluctuate, losing 10 lbs. or 5 percent of your body weight without a change in your eating or exercise habits...
Cleaning vegetables completely before eating them is a relatively modern concern in developed countries, due mainly to the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms. Whether these microorganisms are more pathogenic or those in developed countries...
Japan has an extremely high stomach cancer rate, with Korea following close behind. On average, the Japanese prevalence is about 60 per 100,000 residents. Japan Cancer Society reports that in 2007, one in every three deaths were attributed to...
Digestive problems affect 62 million people in the United States each year, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. These problems run the gamut from upset stomach to colon cancer. Doctors often find it difficult to determine the...
Nausea, or the uneasy stomach sensation that feels like you may need to vomit, is not itself a disease, but a symptom of some other condition such as stomach flu or blocked intestines. While causes vary, there are some common remedies you may have...
"Please shower before entering pool." "There is only one "p" in pool and we would like to keep it that way." You might have seen similar signs at your local pool. Humorous or not, these guidelines are intended to keep swimmers healthy. You may not...
Heliobacter pylori, or H. pylori, is a bacteria that lives in the stomach and upper part of the digestive tract. Many people infected with H. pylori never exhibit any signs of the infection and are unaware that they are infected. For reasons that...
Food poisoning is not a common cause of intestinal obstruction, a condition where stool cannot pass through the intestines, although botulism, a type of food poisoning, can cause ileus, a slowdown or stoppage of peristalsis. Peristalsis, the...
While eating may be the last thing on your mind when you're feeling nauseated, there are foods that can ease the discomfort and provide energy and strength. Likewise, there are foods that you should avoid eating as they can make your nausea worse....
