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...
You've had gall bladder attacks before, but this one is different. The pain is severe, radiates to your back or shoulder, has lasted more than two hours and might be accompanied by fever. Exhausted, you arrive at the hospital expecting to have...
Diarrhea is never a fun condition to go through. It can cause dehydration and make you uncomfortable in social situations or make it impossible to leave the house. If you experience diarrhea after eating certain foods---especially ones high in...
Digestion is a complicated process requiring various chemicals to properly synthesize foods. Digestive enzymes help to process the foods eaten and allow them to be broken down into their nutrient components. The chemicals necessary for digestion...
The pancreas is an organ located in the abdomen that is crucial for the digestion of food. The function of the pancreas is to combine enzymes with the digestive juices of the intestines to complete breakdown of proteins, carbohydrates and fats....
Digestive enzyme supplements are prescribed for individuals who do not make sufficient enzymes required to digest food. Certain conditions may affect the body's ability to produce digestive enzymes, such as cystic fibrosis, or if part of the...
The pancreas is located just behind your stomach in the upper abdomen. It manufactures insulin and other digestive enzymes. Pancreatitis is the medical term for inflammation of the pancreas. It can be acute, which means it occurs suddenly, or it...
Amylase and lipase are digestive enzymes. Amylase breaks down dietary starch, and lipase aids in the digestion of dietary fats. The pancreas produces these enzymes in large quantities and secretes them into the small intestine. Diseases of the...
Creatine is a naturally occurring amino acid normally found in muscles of the body, according to MedlinePlus. Creatine is also available in foods such as meat and fish. Manmade creatine is often used to improve muscle mass and athletic performance...
Dietary fat and carbohydrates are two of the major nutrients your body uses to generate caloric energy. The digestive system is responsible for breaking these nutrients down into their basic components, which are then absorbed and used as fuel or...
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas and can be acute or chronic. The pancreas produces hormones and supports digestion by producing enzymes that breakdown food. Pancreatitis is treated with medication, IV fluids and in some cases,...
Whenever you eat a meal, the nutrients in your food must be broken down so they can be absorbed through the lining of your intestine. This is accomplished by chewing in your mouth, churning in your stomach and the activities of digestive enzymes,...
Trypsin and chymotrypsin are two different but related digestive enzymes produced and released by the pancreas. Both enzymes function within the intestine to help break down large protein molecules that we ingest in the foods we eat. Without this...
A jejunostomy tube, or J-tube -- also known as a percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy tube -- is a feeding tube inserted through the abdomen and into the jejunum to provide nutrition. According to the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, J-tubes are...
Pancreatic enzymes are substances produced in your pancreas that play a vital role in food digestion. If you develop a condition called chronic pancreatitis, reduced or absent production of these enzymes can lead to an enzyme deficiency....
Bromelain, a chemical derived from pineapples, has long been used as a meat tenderizer. It also has a long history of use by naturopaths and other providers of alternative health care for treatment of a variety of disorders. The use of bromelain...
Enzymes are defined as proteins that expedite the rate of biochemical reactions. While you eat, you are typically attempting to digest and absorb three main nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins and fats. As such, there are three main digestive...
When the pancreas releases glucagon and insulin, it is referred to as an endocrine gland. It is called an exocrine gland whenever it releases sodium bicarbonate and the digestive enzymes. The term pancreatitis refers to the inflammation of the...