GERD, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, refers to a medical condition wherein stomach acids move up from your stomach to your mouth. According to the Mayo Clinic, GERD can interfere with your life, especially when you have frequent...
There are different types of rectal bleeding, and you may see blood in the toilet or in your stool. The color of the blood can vary from dark maroon to bright red. This color helps your physician determine where the bleeding site may be located....
Heartburn and acid reflux both have one thing in common -- stomach pain. Excess stomach acid is the culprit behind the discomfort, oftentimes requiring a neutralizer to relieve the symptoms. Baking soda is an age-old neutralizing remedy that may...
The stomach is an organ between the esophagus and small intestines. Its function is to grind food into smaller particles and mix it with digestive juices so the food is absorbed when it moves into the small intestines. Some examples of stomach or...
Cilazapril, or Inhibace, is an ACE inhibitor drug used for the treatment of high blood pressure, heart attack prevention and to slow the progression of congestive heart failure. Alberta Health Services suggests that the side effects are relatively...
The gastrointestinal tract is a series of hollow organs that starts at the mouth, continues through the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and ends with the large intestine. There are three kinds of digestible carbohydrates. Table sugar and the...
A duodenal ulcer is an ulceration in the mucosal lining of the duodenum. It is believed that lifestyle, acid and pepsin, and H. pylori play a role in ulcer development, but H. pylori is considered to be the primary cause of an ulcer, states...
Caffeine is the bitter substance found in the beans of the coffee plant, leaves of the tea bush and the kola nut. It is the most widely consumed central nervous stimulant in the world. Sources of caffeine include coffee, tea, chocolate, energy...
Food moves through the gastrointestinal tract as a result of a series of coordinated muscle contractions. Muscles that contract either too fast or too slow cause the irritable bowel of irritable bowel syndrome, sometimes abbreviated as IBS. The...
Potassium is an essential compound needed for the body's cells, specifically those of the nerves and muscles. Generally, people can procure enough potassium through a healthy diet so that the kidneys function to keep potassium levels in proper...
Digestive disorders affect the digestive system's ability to break down food particles into small molecules, which cells then use as energy. The digestive tract, also called the alimentary canal or gastrointestinal tract, consists of a series of...
The gallbladder concentrates and stores bile until the liver needs it to aid in the digestion of fats. Frequently, this tiny organ causes more problems remaining in the body than if it never existed in the first place. "Pathophysiology: A 2-in-1...
So you're eating a fabulous meal and all of a sudden you start experiencing sharp abdominal pain, along with chest, neck or shoulder pain. And then you start vomiting blood or have blood in your stool. Or your stomach is tender to the touch and...
Multiple myeloma is a cancer that affects your blood cells and can be physically and mentally damaging. Symptoms can include bone pain, fatigue, weakness, weight loss and difficulty breathing. Physical therapy is recommended to help fight these...
The digestive system, also known as the gastrointestinal tract, alimentary canal or gut, is a series of hollow organs that form a long tube from the mouth to the anus. The organs of the digestive system include the mouth, pharynx, esophagus,...
An allergic reaction is your immune system's response to proteins be they pollen, animal dander or foods. In the case of a food allergy, the body sees the proteins as dangerous intruders and triggers a series of symptoms including itching,...
According to the Mayo Clinic, more than half of all babies experience acid reflux as known as gastroesophageal reflux or GERD. The website Kid's Health says that GERD occurs when acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus. This generally...
The digestive system is simply a series of hollow organs arranged in one long, twisting tube, according to MedlinePlus. The problems that afflict the digestive system are not so simple and are often uncomfortable. Digestive problems, or...
Food allergies, bacterial and viral infections, and a host of other causes can inflame the gastrointestinal tract. Milk products, egg and wheat are common food allergens that can lead to irritable bowel syndrome and enterocolitis, or inflammation...
The gastrointestinal tract is the only system in your body that will continue to demonstrate neuronal activity and reflexes after being isolated from the central nervous system. This is possible because the gut is hardwired with its own network of...
Infant acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux, occurs when stomach contents flow from the esophagus to the baby's mouth. Some healthy infants experience this acid reflux because the lower esophageal sphincter, or the ring at the...
