Blood in the stool is alarming. It's often due to an injury or disorder of the digestive tract. Appearance of blood in the stool can range from bright red to black and can originate from any part of the digestive tract, according to the University...
Coumadin, or warfarin, is a medication your doctor may prescribe to increase the time it takes your blood to clot. It is a powerful drug. Too little or too much can be dangerous. Certain foods and medications, especially those containing vitamin...
Caffeine is a powerful stimulant commonly found in sports energy drinks, over-the-counter medications, coffee, tea, cola drinks, chocolate bars and other food and beverages, and used by over 80 percent of adults in North America, according to the...
Hemorrhoids occur when the veins of the anus or rectum swell, causing intense pain or discomfort. Sometimes bleeding occurs. Treatment involves easing the pain immediately and reducing the swelling over time so that the pain does not continue....
Hemorrhoids are small bundles of veins in the anus that are considered part of normal anal anatomy. They can, however, become engorged with too much blood, usually due to straining during defecation. Symptoms such as bleeding, pain and itching...
If you live with the gastrointestinal disease colitis, the gas, diarrhea and abdominal pain you frequently experience can wreak havoc on your professional and personal life. Luckily, following a colitis diet plan may help you experience less pain...
Ulcerative colitis refers to inflammation in the lining of the colon and rectum. The inflammation or swelling is severe enough where it destroys cells in the lining causing ulcers that bleed and produce pus. The condition is also known as...
Surgeons perform more than 600,000 colorectal procedures a year in the United States to treat conditions affecting the lower gastrointestinal tract, according to the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. Conditions that...
It is hard to imagine what inspired anyone to first drink mineral oil. A petroleum by-product, slick in texture with little discernible taste, its therapeutic benefits are anything but obvious. Yet, mineral oil is a time-tested remedy used to...
If you have more than just a few pimples or if your pimples have become infected, you likely need more than just the medications you use topically on your skin. You may need oral antibiotics that can help knock out the bacterial infection that's...
Hemorrhoids can develop inside the rectal area or they can protrude outside the body. A hemorrhoid is the result of swelling in the anus or rectum, explains FamilyDoctor.org. This condition is often caused by constipation, frequent diarrhea and...
Hemorrhoids, a painful condition that causes swelling and inflammation in the veins of your lower rectum and anus, can occur as the result of pregnancy or straining during a bowel movement. Pressure on the rectal area can also build up over time,...
Rectal bleeding after strenuous exercise -- although it may seem scary -- is usually not serious. Generally, the bleeding subsides on its own without medical treatment, though make sure to visit your doctor to rule out conditions such as colitis,...
It's important for every woman to have regular gynecological exams, even if past exams have been normal. Early screening and diagnosis often detect uterine cancers in the earliest stages, before the disease has a chance to advance, making the...
Hemorrhoids occur when veins in your rectum become inflamed from bathroom straining or from the pressure of pregnancy and childbirth, according to the Mayo Clinic. Associated with itching, burning and pain, hemorrhoids are a common ailment in...
Hemorrhoids, according to the Mayo Clinic, are the painful itching, swelling and inflammation of the veins of the anus and lower rectum. This condition can be caused by pressure created when straining during a bowel movement or because of...
An ileostomy is an opening in the stomach wall that allows waste to be removed from the body when the colon and rectum do not function properly, or when surgical removal of these organs is required. The lower part of the small intestine, called...
The digestive system consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, anus, liver, pancreas and gall bladder. It functions to break down food particles, transport them through the digestive tract and absorb the...
The most common sexually transmitted disease reported in the United States usually has no symptoms. In 2006, there were 1,030,911 chlamydial infections reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to the CDC, it is a...
Aggrenox is the brand name for a combination of dipyridamole and aspirin. It is used in the prevention of strokes. It is a blood thinner, which means it keeps your blood from forming clots. Blood clots are a major cause of strokes because they can...
For acne sufferers, skin care routines that involve careful cleansing and then applying messy lotions can dominate their lives. Some also need to remember to take prescribed oral medications several times each day in an effort to combat their...
Loose stools, more commonly referred to as diarrhea, are watery bowel movements that usually pass at least three times per day, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Acute diarrhea, which lasts one to two days, is...
An uncomfortable and painful condition, hemorrhoids are the result of swollen and inflamed veins in the lower rectum and anus. They are caused by increased pressure inside the veins. Straining during bowel movements, sitting for extended periods...
Hemorrhoids are a painful condition of the rectum that can be exacerbated by a poor diet and excess pressure generally caused by straining. Some hemorrhoid sufferers experience bleeding, most particularly associated with internal hemorrhoids....
Urinary tracts infections (UTI) are almost 30 times more common in women than men, making them more difficult to recognize in men. Compared to UTIs in women, UTIs in men are more likely to be associated with serious problems such as sexually...
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. If you have this illness, you may experience swelling and inflammation of your colon and rectum. Ulcerative colitis is also an autoimmune disorder. Stress and certain foods may trigger...
Hemorrhoids are inflamed or protruding veins in your lower rectum or anus that can produce symptoms such as bleeding, pain and anal itching or irritation. They commonly appear in those who have reached middle age. Weightlifting and other vigorous...
Noticing rectal bleeding after a workout might cause you to feel alarmed. However, most cases of rectal bleeding are not a medical emergency and often result from temporary conditions such as constipation or injuries to the skin around the anus....
External hemorrhoids appear on the outside of the anus and are painful, swollen and hard. This thrombosed hemorrhoid is due to a blood clot in the anal region. The pain can be severe, subsiding only after three to seven days. External hemorrhoids...
Cirrhosis is a condition that causes irreversible scarring of the liver. As scar tissue replaces normal tissue, blood flow through your liver is affected. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and treatments for Cirrhosis in this video.