Gallbladder disease is a common digestive disorder. It is estimated over 20 million Americans have gallstones, reports the Weight-control Information Network (WIN). Gallstones are hard stones, most commonly made up of cholesterol, found in the...
As of 2008, over 30 percent of American adults were considered obese, while about 65 percent were considered overweight, according to the "World Journal of Gastroenterology". Billions of dollars are spent each year on weight management. An...
Cholesterol polyps, also known as gallbladder polyps, are growths in the gallbladder wall. Doctors commonly find these growths on ultrasounds or after removing part of a patient's bile ducts. After identify the polyps, the doctor will determine...
Fatty liver disease, although not normal, is a buildup of fat in the cells of your liver. The disease is not a cause but rather a symptom of an underlying health condition requiring treatment. In most cases you can reverse or cure this disease. To...
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a condition in which stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus. The primary symptom of GERD is heartburn, notes the American College of Gastroenterology. Along with medications such as antacids,...
Gas is caused by excess air intake and foods that release gases when digested, according to the Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology practice in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Excess gas and bloat can signal everything from a singular event to...
A soft food diet is recommended for people who have difficulty swallowing or chewing, such as those who have recently had surgery or are experiencing an extended illness. Chemotherapy patients, who sometimes have trouble with digestion and...
A type of inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's colitis, also called Crohn's granulomatus colitis, is a form of Crohn's disease affecting mainly the colon, or large intestine. Crohn's in general is characterized by inflammation caused by ulcers that...
According to the Mayo Clinic, acid reflux occurs when stomach contents flow back up the esophagus which causes a burning sensation in the chest. Reflux occurs when the lower esophageal flap is forced open. This can occur for a number of reasons,...
Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths from cancer in the United States. Colon cancer presents with many common symptoms, some of which can last a long time, making an early diagnosis possible. Early detection of colon cancer can...
Although flatulence is a natural body reaction, it can still cause a person to be socially embarrassed. Flatulence is passing built-up intestinal gases through the anus. According to the American College of Gastroenterology, the average person...
Many people believe that niacin, or vitamin B3, aids weight loss. Actually, niacin is an appetite stimulant. Excess niacin may lead to obesity, according to a 2010 study published by Da Li and colleagues in the "World Journal of Gastroenterology."...
Protein is a macronutrient which helps to strengthen muscles and allow for the creation and utilization of hormones in the body. The National Institutes of Health explans that protein also helps the immune system to function and allows for the...
Acid reflux, clinically known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or heartburn, happens when stomach contents ascend into the lower esopahgus, according to Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology. The chronic condition is frequently characterized by...
A condition where too much fatty substance is stored within liver cells is called fatty liver disease, or FLD. This condition is reversible, but if no proper medical care is given to someone suffering from the condition, he might develop cirrhosis...
Interest in the therapeutic possibilities of probiotics is high in both scientific and consumer circles. Probiotics are friendly bacteria; they can be consumed live and they take up residence in the gastrointestinal system where they exist in a...
Oxalates are substances classified as organic acids, and are found naturally in the bodies of plants, animals and humans. According to World's Healthiest Foods, oxalates exist in the body at all times, and your body also converts other nutrients...
Also known as hypoglycemia, low blood sugar is a condition that occurs when the levels of blood glucose in the body dip below normal levels, according to the National Institutes of Health. Blood glucose, also known as blood sugar, is made by the...
Fiber is found naturally in many foods. And bulk fiber can benefit your health in several ways, according to MayoClinic.com and Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology in Pennsylvania. Consult a registered dietitian if you are interested in getting...
Gallstones are a common problem that tends to occur in people between the ages of 20 and 50, as reported by the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Risk factors for gallstone formation include obesity, a family history of gallstones, and...
Fatty liver, as defined by the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, is a condition where fats accumulate inside the liver cells due to a variety of causes: alcoholism, obesity, diabetes and certain drugs and toxins. Broadly, fatty liver, or...
More than 4 million adults living in the United States suffer from constipation, the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse states. Constipation is defined by three or fewer bowel movements per week. Although not life-threatening,...
The colon is part of the digestive system. Its primary role is to absorb water from food waste and bulk it up for excretion. The colon is also home to several good bacteria, which help make vitamins and enzymes, and play a role in improving the...
The liver is the largest organ in the body. Its critical functions are to cleanse toxins and produce bile for digestion and absorption. It also stores vitamins and nutrients that your body needs throughout the day. While patients with liver damage...
When you hear the word "bacteria," it probably conjures up images of deadly diseases or, at the very least, detrimental symptoms, but your gastrointestinal tract is home to a host of bacteria that are your allies in health. Sometimes due to...
The primary function of the gallbladder is to concentrate, store and excrete bile, says "Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy." Bile helps digest fat in food. Although women are more likely to develop gallstones, men are still at risk. Men...
Hypoglycemia is, according to the Mayo Clinic, a condition with a chronically low level of blood sugar or glucose. The condition usually comes with diabetes but a variety of conditions can cause low blood sugar without diabetes. Diet changes are...
If you've got colitis, you may find the prospect of extended periods away from a toilet quite daunting, and the time you spend perched on the toilet isn't much better. People with colitis often suffer the dual indignities of diarrhea and painful...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, commonly referred to as IBS, is a condition that is believed to arise out of low grade inflammatory activity occurring in the small and large intestines, where the immune system has become deregulated. This proposed...
