Feeding tubes and stomach plugs serve an essential function of providing a route into the stomach when a person encounters the incapacity to eat food. The Oral Cancer Foundation reports that an alteration in neurological functions, damage to the...
Many people find that most of their extra weight tends to accumulate around their midriffs. This additional stomach fat can resemble an inner tube ring, making it a less than desirable complement to your bathing suit. While abdominal weight can...
The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's Disease representing between 50 to 80 percent of all dementia cases. The Alzheimer's Association characterizes it as a progressive--and ultimately fatal--disease that destroys brain cells, causing...
When fat starts to accumulate around the lower abdominal area, it can start to resemble an inner tube on some people. Carrying excess body fat on any area of the body is not only unpleasant and uncomfortable, but it can significantly increase the...
Several different types of feeding tubes are used to supply nutrition to patients unable to eat. Temporary feeding issues may require a naso-gastric (NG) tube, which is inserted through the mouth or nose down the throat and into the stomach....
Feeding tubes provide nutrition to patients who can not eat normally. This includes patients suffering from burns, liver failure, and neck or head injuries, or patients who are comatose, according to Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. There are...
Gastric bypass surgery treats obesity by limiting the amount of food the stomach can hold and decreasing the amount of nutrients and calories the intestines can absorb. The different approaches to gastric bypass surgery use various means to shrink...
Dysphagia is condition defined by difficulty swallowing or the inability to swallow. Dysphagia can be caused by a number of medical conditions, including stroke, cancer, and neurological disorders. Because proper swallowing is a critical aspect...
Stomach cramps and nausea are common symptoms that everyone experiences at some point in their lives. In most cases, stomach cramps and nausea occur as a result of minor digestive problems or common viral infections that clear up quickly....
Nicotine affects the central nervous system as a stimulant, although some people claim they feel calm from it. It increases blood pressure, respiration and heart rate, and constricts blood vessels. Nicotine suppresses hunger and causes an...
Hiccups are caused by the involuntary contraction of the diaphragm and the near-immediate closure of the vocal cords. Normal hiccups last for minutes or hours and usually develop in response to eating too quickly, drinking alcohol, temperature...
Many people experience bloating and gas at some point during their lives. Fleeting gas and bloating are common symptoms that do not usually indicate any underlying health conditions. Acute, severe bloating and gas can signal a viral infection,...
Rheumatoid arthritis affects 1.3 million Americans, reports the American Arthritis Foundation. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the lining of the joints. Long-term damage and loss of function of the...
People who have acid reflux may experience nothing more than a bitter taste in the back of their throats upon belching. However, some people experience this along with the chest clutching pain of heartburn, which sends many to the ER thinking...
Your body needs small amounts of the essential mineral zinc to help maintain a variety of functions, including immune system health, blood clotting and reproduction. Dietary sources of zinc include red meat, cheese, poultry and shellfish. Your...
A healthy empty stomach is very acidic, with a normal pH range of 1.5 to 2.5. Immediately after consuming a meal, the pH of the stomach increases to a range of 4.0 to 6.0. The pH of stomach contents is often tested to help diagnose...
Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) require from 30 to 50 percent more calories than children without the disease in order to reach normal heights and weights. Feeding them can sometimes prove tricky, as children can often be finicky about the...
For the cancer patient, it is imperative to maintain adequate nutrition before, during and after treatments. Nutrition can help him to maintain muscle mass, strength and nourishment required to withstand chemotherapy, radiation and surgeries....
The body employs a number of immune system responses that protect it from invasion by infectious organisms and irritants. Vomiting, which can be triggered by the brain, digestive system and bloodstream, is one of those important immune responses....
Prenatal vitamins contain essential nutrients, one of which is iron. When iron is consumed in large quantities, it can have serious side effects. Prenatal vitamins are prescribed to women to help improve their nutritional status before pregnancy,...
Contrary to its name, heartburn has nothing to do with your heart. This condition affects your stomach and the tube leading to your stomach called the esophagus. Heartburn occurs when you suffer from a burning feeling in your lower chest,...
A blockage in the intestinal tract is referred to as an intestinal obstruction. The blockage usually occurs in the small intestine or colon and may be partial or complete. Partial blockages significantly hinder the movement of contents through the...
The elderly have a high risk for malnutrition. With advancing age, there is an increased chance for developing diseases or conditions that affect nutrition. Cognitive impairments can also cause chewing and swallowing difficulty. According to the...
There is no particular food that can prevent cholangitis, but you can make dietary changes to reduce your risk of developing gallstones, which are one of several factors that may lead to a cholangitis infection. If you have chronic cholangitis,...
A feeding tube is a flexible, small lumen, hollow tube that is inserted into the stomach. The duration of time that the tube is in place is dependent upon the patient's needs. A feeding tube is recommended when a patient is unable to receive...
According to the organization Pancreatica, approximately 90 percent of individuals with pancreatic cancer experience weight loss and muscle wasting, which is also called cachexia. This may be due to the cancer itself, cancer treatments or side...
Huntington's disease is a genetic progressive degenerative disease that causes nerve cells in the brain to deteriorate over time. People with Huntington's disease often experience uncontrolled movements and mental deterioration, as well as...
Patients with colon cancer may develop a condition called a bowel obstruction. According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the tumor prevents food and liquids from continuing through the intestinal tract. The intestines continue to try...
Esophageal cancer is a form of cancer that starts in the inner layer of a 10-inch long tube that connects your throat and stomach. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and treatments for Esophageal Cancer in this video.
Pharyngeal cancer is cancer in the pharynx. Watch this video for more information on this condition, its symptoms, prevention, and how to treat it.
Bicycle ab combinations focus on the rectus abdominal muscles rather than the obliques. Learn how to use resistance bands to do bicycle abdominal combinations from a certified personal fitness trainer in this exercise video.
Abdominal tucks are great for getting your stomach flat and ripped. Learn how to use resistance bands to do abdominal tucks from a certified personal fitness trainer in this exercise video.