Butcher's broom is an herbal supplement derived from the root of the Ruscus aculeatus plant. This supplement, which is also called box holly, rusco and sweet broom, may be administered orally or applied topically to the skin. Using butcher's broom...
A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows a doctor to view the internal regions of the colon or intestine. During this exam, a doctor inserts a small, lighted camera called a colonoscope into a patient's anus. A doctor may recommend a colonoscopy...
Intestinal gas and bloating are common symptoms. When intestinal gas is not expelled through belching or flatulence, it can accumulate in your gastrointestinal tract and cause bloating. Bloating may lead to abdominal pain that ranges from mild to...
The watery stool, abdominal cramps and frequent urge to defecate that characterize diarrhea can be healed with high-fiber foods. Plant fiber or roughage not only absorbs extra water that occurs in diarrhea, it also bulks to distend intestines and...
Some people are allergic to the meat of certain mammals, such as cows, though it is rare and unusual. A beef allergy may present as raised, itchy red welts on your skin. This is known as uticaria, or hives. Because food allergies have the capacity...
Castor oil has been used for thousands of years to treat a number of health complaints. In the 1940s, Edgar Cayce, commonly known as the "sleeping prophet," educated the public about the health benefits of castor oil, which made it a popular home...
NPO is a type of diet people are placed on by their medical professionals. A NPO diet is most often seen in a hospital setting. Some patients can be placed on a NPO diet for just a short time while others may have to stay on it for a much longer...
An estimated 2 percent of people in the United States suffer from an allergy to shellfish, according to the most recent statistics published in the July 2004 issues of the "Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology." People who are allergic to...
Bubbles belong in soda, not in your stomach. If your belly has turned into a sustainable source of natural gas -- with flatulence, belching and bloating ruling the day -- you may want to examine what you eat and drink. The average person produces...
Swallowing air or consuming foods that produce air in your intestines usually cause excess gas, according to Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology. Constipation results from impaired contraction of the colon, slowing and sometimes stopping the...
Parasites are organisms that feed off of other organisms. Intestinal parasites live in the digestive track. Many are acquired through fecal-oral transmission. Fecal material containing the parasitic organism is inadvertently ingested and the...
Colitis (ulcerative colitis) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes severe inflammation of the lining of the large intestine (colon). Though this condition can begin at any age, most patients begin to develop symptoms between the ages...
Intestinal viruses cause a condition called viral gastroenteritis. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, viral gastroenteritis is the second most common illness in the United States, causing millions of cases of...
Coffee isn’t any more likely to cause intestinal bleeding than other beverages -- or foods, for that matter. In fact, diet isn’t often associated with bleeding in the lower digestive tract. Instead, a medical condition is typically the...
When a patient has a diseased gastrointestinal system or dysfunctioning bladder, a surgical opening must be made so that waste products can exit the body. An ostomy defines the surgically created opening, while a stoma defines the actual...
Stomach aches or abdominal pains can originate from any one of the abdominal organs, including the end of the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, liver, gallbladder, pancreas and the appendix, or the kidneys or the spleen. Abdominal...
During the toddler phase of life, a child is transitioning from eating soft, pureed foods to eating a more normal diet of semi-hard foods that the whole family is enjoying. These dietary changes can contribute to various bowel inconsistencies,...
Intestinal worms, such as tapeworms, pinworms and roundworms, may come from contaminated soil, food or water and can cause a range of discomfort. You may experience abdominal pain, fatigue, excessive hunger, cramps, nausea, diarrhea and gas....
Diarrhea is a frequent symptom of intestinal infection and inflammatory response. People are typically well aware when they are experiencing diarrhea. There is a more than usual amount of bowel movements with the stool being softer or more liquid...
Beneficial bacteria in the stomach help regulate digestion and balance levels of harmful bacteria that can cause intestinal problems, such as diarrhea and intestinal inflammation. Some bacteria settle in the stomach; others pass through to inhabit...
The husks of the psyllium seeds are an excellent source of fiber and are most frequently used as a natural treatment for constipation. This herbal treatment is derived from the seeds of the Plantago ovata plant. Consuming psyllium husks helps...
Minimal residue diets, also known as low-residue, are designed to restrict foods that promote frequent bowel movements in certain patients. This is not a permanent diet and is usually followed by a low-fiber or regular diet. Seek a registered...
Adults aren't the only ones who can suffer from heartburn. Children can also get that burning feeling that makes its way from the chest into the neck and throat through a tube called the esophagus. Stomach acid can irritate the esophagus. People...
The senna leaf, sometimes referred to as cassia senna, India senna, or Alexandrian senna, is recognized as a natural laxative that promotes regularity, and some claim it promotes the excretion of toxic substances. Advocates of alternative...
An estimated 30 to 50 million children and adults in the United States have a food intolerance condition called lactose intolerance, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. People who are lactose intolerant are unable to digest...
Typhoid fever is a life-threatening bacterial infection caused by a bacteria called Salmonella typhi. Typhoid is contracted through consumption of food and water that has been contaminated with Salmonella typhi. According to MedlinePlus, typhoid...
The average person expels approximately 2 liters of gas from the rectum over the span of 24 hours, according to Harvard Health Publications. This gas, also called flatus or flatulence, is a normal part of digestion and allows excess air to pass...
Bloodroot, also called Sanguinaria canadensis, is a medicinal herb traditionally used by Native Americans to alleviate cough, sore throat and body aches. In addition, today herbalists recommend bloodroot to treat warts and bad breath. The active...
Taurine is an amino acid found in food that is also taken in supplement form to improve athletic and mental performance. Because taurine is needed for several important functions in your body, a deficiency of this important nutrient could lead to...
Learn about different trigger points for massage in this free video clip on holistic medicine and chiropractics.
Learn about different trigger points for massage in this free video clip on holistic medicine and chiropractics.
