Rectal bleeding is a common occurrence but can often cause people to fear the worst. A singular event of bright red bleeding from the rectum may indicate something as simple as a cut close to the anus. Chronic rectal bleeding may signal a number...
According to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, an estimated 1.4 million people in the U.S. suffer from some form of inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The Food and Drug Administration has...
Colitis is a generic term for inflammation of the bowel and intestines. The two diseases most commonly associated with inflammatory bowel disease are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, and they can be devastating for sufferers. There are...
Ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease involving your colon, causes sores and persistent inflammation. Patients with ulcerative colitis often face frequent diarrhea, rectal bleeding and severe pain from these sores in their colons. They...
Mucus is jelly-like fluid produced naturally by mucus membranes in the body. Mucus produced in the intestines moistens the insides of the intestine and allow for the smooth and unhindered passage of fecal matter. Mucus in the intestine also...
Proton beam radiation therapy is a newer option for treating prostate cancer. The Prostate Cancer Foundation states that proton beam therapy is more precise than other forms of radiation therapy that may decrease the incidence and severity of side...
Potassium is an important mineral that is essential to human life. Potassium is responsible for metabolism and the function of your cells, tissues and organs. If you are faced with low potassium levels, or hypokalemia, you may be experiencing an...
Acute colitis, also called ulcerative colitis, is a form of inflammatory bowel disease. Colitis is a chronic digestive disorder characterized by a sudden, unpredictable bout of diarrhea and abdominal pain. Diet is not the cause of colitis, but...
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes chronic inflammation of the colon and other parts of the digestive tract. It is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy cells in the lining of the digestive...
Stool softeners are used as a short-term treatment to soften the stools and avoid straining in individuals with constipation or heart disease or those who have just had hemorrhoid or heart surgery. Stool softeners include Colace, Ducusate, Dialose...
Lower left abdominal pain after eating is relatively common. In most cases, the pain's source is benign, and you can treat the problem quickly. In some instances, the pain is indicative of a more serious problem. To understand your lower left...
Rectal bleeding is a frequent complaint with many athletes, particularly in runners, according to surveys cited by the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. It's often the result of something affecting the last few inches of your gastrointestinal...
People who suffer from ulcerative colitis have inflammation and sores on the lining of the lower digestive tract. Symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, rectal bleeding, frequent bowel elimination, joint pain, anemia, loss of appetite and skin...
Inflammatory bowel disease is really two chronic disorders, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, both of which are caused by intestinal inflammation. About 10 in every 100,000 people in the United States have IBD, according to Dr. Jean-Paul...
Bulimia nervosa is a type of eating disorder in which affected patients self-induce vomiting or excessively use laxatives, diuretics or enemas following eating binges. Women are three times more likely than men to develop bulimia, based upon...
Colitis, also known as ulcerative colitis, refers to the inflammation of the large intestine (colon). In many cases, colitis causes sores (ulcers) in the stomach or rectal lining. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information...
You may have constipation if you do not have regular bowel movements, producing fewer than three BMs in a week. Other signs of constipation include straining and hard stools. In severe cases, you may have intense abdominal pain, rectal bleeding...
The prostate is a small gland located at the base of the bladder in men. It plays an important role in manufacturing the liquid component of semen. According to MayoClinic.com, prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer to affect...
Anal mucus is a possible symptom of several conditions that affect the area of the anus and rectum. Vitamins may be part of treatment or a prescribed diet for some causes of anal mucus, but they may also be harmful depending on your condition. Do...
Localized prostate cancer affects the prostate (a small gland in the male reproductive system). According to the Mayo Clinic, prostate cancer is found in 1 out of 6 men in the United States, and is considered the most common cancer in men. If...
Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, with roughly 450,000 new cases each year. In the United States alone, there are roughly 100,000 new cases of colon cancer every year, according to the book "Clinical Oncology." Colon cancer...
Crohn's disease is a disease that causes inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. It may occur anywhere from the mouth to the anus and most commonly occurs in the large intestine. People with Crohn's disease are frequently burdened with...
Zinc is one of the essential trace elements the human body needs in small amounts to maintain proper health. Supplements containing zinc are used to treat a variety of health conditions and to prevent zinc deficiency. While zinc supplements are...
Colorectal tumors form in the colon or rectum, the end of the digestive tract. Colorectal tumors may begin as noncancerous polyps and develop into cancer over time. Polyps can be detected through a variety of screening methods and when caught...
