Frequent bowel movements are a sign that your digestive system is attempting to rid itself of something. If you notice that every time you drink soy milk, you develop diarrhea, loose stools or frequent bowel movements, you may have an allergy or...
Fish oil has become a popular dietary supplement because of its anti-inflammatory properties and high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids. The nutrients in fish oil also aid brain function and reduce the risk of developing heart disease,...
Calcium is an essential mineral that must come from your diet and/or supplements. Without enough of it, your bones, heart and circulatory system could suffer. Vitamin D works with calcium to help build and sustain healthy bones, among other...
The fiber in your diet comes from the portions of fruits, vegetables and grains that your body can't digest or absorb. When you eat a high-fiber food, the vitamins, minerals, fat and glucose are absorbed through your intestinal walls and into your...
There's a way to avoid constipation -- add more dietary fiber to your diet. Bananas do have some fiber, and fiber contributes to regular bowel movements. However, if you're looking for a quicker fix, there are other fruits, vegetables and...
The human immunodeficiency virus--HIV--is a disease that causes progressive degradation of the immune system. As a result, patients with HIV are at a high risk of developing recurrent infections that can include gastrointestinal complications....
Correctol, the brand name for the generic drug bisacodyl, is a laxative used to alleviate symptoms of constipation. This medication can be administered as an oral tablet or a rectal suppository and enema. Patients should only take Correctol as...
Glutamine is a type of amino acid your body naturally produces and helps support a healthy immune system by providing energy for immune cells. A synthetic version of glutamine may be used in conjunction with human growth hormone to help treat...
Healthy adults should consume at least 1000 mg of calcium each day in order to keep their bones, muscles and blood vessels healthy, the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) reports. Food sources of calcium include dairy products, broccoli,...
Activated charcoal tablets are an over-the-counter treatment used to adsorb certain types of toxic or poisonous substances from the body. This emergency treatment can be used by humans and animals. Patients poisoned by ingesting gasoline, iron,...
Azithromycin is an antibiotic medication prescribed to treat a number of different bacterial infections, including respiratory and reproductive tract infections. This medication is a macrolide that works by inhibiting the growth of bacteria within...
"Stomach flu" is a term used to describe a viral infection called gastroenteritis. Despite the name of this contagious infection, the stomach flu is not caused by the influenza virus. The stomach flu is a common infection that can affect infants,...
Salmonella enteritidis, or S. enteritidis for short, is a type of bacterium that can infect eggs. People who consume undercooked or raw eggs can develop an infection called salmonellosis, which is caused by S. enteritidis. Onset symptoms of S....
Amoxicillin trihydrate and clavulanate potassium are used in combination to treat certain types of bacterial infections, including sinus, ear and lung infections. This medication is typically administered orally twice daily or as recommended by a...
If your child has low blood levels of magnesium or health issues such as seizures, heart rate irregularities or constipation, your child's pediatrician may recommend treatment with a supplement called magnesium sulfate. Magnesium sulfate may be...
If you experience infrequent or difficult bowel movements due to constipation, you may find relief from your discomfort following treatment with magnesium citrate. This oral solution may also be used to clear your intestines before you undergo...
Magnesium pills are a type of nutritional supplement used to increase magnesium levels in people who do not have enough of this substance in their bodies. Adults in the United States typically get their daily recommended intake of 270 to 400 mg...
Cetirizine is a prescription medication indicated to alleviate allergy symptoms, such as sneezing or hives, in affected patients. This medication is an antihistamine and works by limiting the effect that histamine--an allergy-inducing...
People who undergo abdominal surgery or experience chronic abdominal inflammation due to pelvic or abdominal infections or radiation therapy are at an increased risk of developing abdominal adhesions, according to the National Digestive Diseases...
Carvedilol is a prescription beta-blocker medication indicated for the treatment of high blood pressure and heart failure. This medication decreases your heart rate and relaxes blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more efficiently. Carvedilol is...
Niacin, a form of the water-soluble vitamin B-3, may help reduce your cholesterol levels if you have hypercholesterolemia. While both immediate- and sustained-release forms of niacin may help you achieve lower cholesterol levels, sustained-release...
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that helps protect your cells, tissues and organs from free radical damage and aids in red blood cell formation. Despite these benefits, adults who take more than 1,000 mg of vitamin E may be at risk of...
If you are an adult who needs to lose weight, you may benefit from treatment with an over-the-counter weight loss treatment called Alli. When used in conjunction with healthy diet and exercise routines, Alli may help you shed those extra pounds....
Protein is essential to your cells. Cells are the building blocks of life that help your body build and maintain itself. Protein is composed of amino acid chains. Glutamine is called a non-essential amino acid because your body can manufacture it....
Aldara Cream, the brand name for imiquimod, is a topical prescription medication indicated to treat specific skin conditions that include actinic keratoses; genital and anal warts; or superficial basal cell carcinoma--a type of skin cancer. This...
Over 100,000 people in the United States are estimated to be diagnosed with colon cancer in 2010, according to medical experts at the National Cancer Institute. This form of cancer develops along the intestine or colon--a portion of the digestive...
Crohn's disease, or regional enteritis, is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the small intestine. Though the cause of this condition is unknown, researchers at the University of Maryland in Baltimore report that Crohn's disease may...
Calcium salts are a class of calcium supplements commonly used to treat people who have low blood levels of calcium or high blood levels of phosphate. Different forms of calcium salts include calcium acetate, calcium gluconate, calcium citrate and...
Flora-Q is an over-the-counter probiotic supplement that contains the active ingredient Lactobacillus acidophilus, a type of naturally occurring bacterium. This treatment is typically indicated to improve digestion and helps maintain the normal...
