Colon cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the Western world and the second-leading cause of cancer deaths. More common among women, incidence of colon cancer begins to rise at age 40 and peaks between ages 60 and 75. Early...
Flaxseeds or flax are small, brown seeds from the Linum usitassimum plant. While they may be small in size, they can pack a big nutritional punch because they contain alpha linolenic acid and lignan, a natural source of soluble fiber. Incorporate...
Your baby may become constipated if the muscles at the end of his large intestine tighten, which will prevent stool from passing normally. If this occurs for a long period of time, the stool will become harder and drier, making it even more...
If you are not able to pass a stool more than three times per week, you may be constipated. Constipation is uncomfortable and can be downright painful. There are many natural remedies you can try, including drinking prune juice. The fiber,...
The colon, also called the large intestine, removes fluid from food as it passes through the final portion of the digestive tract. At times, a blockage occurs in the colon. Common causes of bowel obstruction in the colon include cancer, scar...
Intestinal parasites are organisms that invade human intestines and obtain nourishment from the body's nutrients. Intestinal parasites are transmitted to humans through ingestion of contaminated foods such as salad, undercooked meat and water....
The anus, the end of the digestive tract, opens to allow the passage of stool. Passing large or hard stools may cause tears in the walls of the anal canal. These tears, referred to as anal fissures, are common for individuals with constipation,...
Appendicitis is the most common cause for emergent, abdominal surgery in children, according to Cleveland Clinic. Appendicitis occurs when the appendix--an appendage, or extension of the colon--becomes inflamed, obstructed and infected. It’s...
Constipation can be a painful condition that makes your child cry, irritated and miserable. The frequency of bowel movements can vary, and thus it may be difficult to determine whether your child is constipated or not. Signs of constipation...
Peptic ulcer describes a sore, or lesion, in an area where hydrochloric acid and pepsin are present. Most peptic ulcers occur on the lining of the stomach, known as gastric ulcers, or the upper portion of the small intestine, known as duodenal...
According to MayoClinic.com, ovarian cancer occurs when there is uncontrollable growth in the cells of the egg follicles. In the past, ovarian cancer was detected at advanced stages but increased awareness of symptoms has increased the likelihood...
Weakened rectal muscles can cause fecal incontinence, defined as the inability to control bowel movements. Although it can be embarrassing and unpleasant, fecal incontinence is far from uncommon; the American College of Gastroenterologists reports...
Constipation is a bowel condition that can occur for many reasons. It sometimes occurs in younger children as their digestive systems develop and they transition from using diapers to having bowel movements on the toilet. Constipation can be...
The J-pouch surgery, performed for ulcerative colitis and colon cancer, improves the quality and/or quantity of life for most patients who undergo the procedure. This surgery, as explained by J-pouch.org, involves removing the entire large...
GlaxoSmithkline's weight loss drug Alli, which contains the active ingredient orlistat, blocks your body's absorption of fat, causing it to be excreted from the body. This effect results in an overall lower calorie load. But before you purchase...
Your large intestine, or colon, plays an important role in the final stages of digestion. It is where waste from food and fluids is stored before moving to your rectum for elimination, and your colon houses trillions of harmless bacteria that...
Diverticular disease affects your colon -- the waste-removing portion of your large intestine. Diverticulosis occurs when diverticula, or small pouches, form in your colon. Doctors think the diverticula pouches may be formed when you strain to...
The amount you eat may not have a lot of impact on how much stool you produce. Many disorders cause large, bulky stools even in people who don't eat a lot. The size of your stools has more to do with how well you digest your foods than how much...
If your infant has not passed a bowel movement in several days or if she is passing dry and hard stools, it is likely that she is constipated. It is more difficult to treat constipation in infants, particularly very young infants, because they...
Although children have different bowel patterns, your child is considered to have constipation if she has difficulty passing stools or hasn't been able to have three or more bowel movements a week, according to the American Academy of Family...
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a functional disorder of the colon also known as the large intestine. IBS can cause diarrhea or constipation, or may cause both at different times. With IBS, the colon does not function normally although there...
Carbohydrates are your body's chief source of energy. When you eat carbohydrate-containing foods like bread, your body breaks them down into glucose, a molecule your cells use to power your daily functions. While low-carbohydrate diets have...
Blood in a 2-week-old baby's stool upsets parents, usually more than it upsets the baby. Virtually every baby passes blood in the stool at least once during their infancy, pediatrician and author William Sears, M.D. explains. While some causes of...
Constipation is characterized by infrequent bowel movements, difficulty passing stool and the passage of very hard stools, reports the Mayo Clinic. Most instances of constipation last only a few days and can often be treated at home. Adding...
About 75 percent of the population will eventually experience hemorrhoids, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. While hemorrhoids can stem from a wide range of causes, your diet can have an impact on their...
Having a colostomy, or a surgically created opening in your abdomen for stool to pass from your colon to the outside of your body, doesn't require a special diet. However, you can adjust your food choices to regulate your bowel patterns and make...
Docusate sodium is an oral medication used to soften stool. The medication makes it easier to pass stool, especially after surgery or injury to the perineum. Docusate sodium also helps treat constipation and works to reduce straining during a...
If you have difficulty passing stools or you pass infrequent hard, dry stools, you may be constipated. Constipation is a common condition that affects most people at one time or another. Bowel movements are a natural way of ridding the body of...
Many conditions can cause gas pains in your child. Common ones include swallowing too much air with meals, drinking too much juice or soda or eating certain foods such as beans, vegetables or high-fiber or fatty foods. While soothing your child's...
Colic can be quite challenging for parents. It is defined as crying more than three hours a day, three days a week for more than three weeks in an otherwise well-fed, healthy baby. Colic usually starts a few weeks after birth and often improves...
Gastritis is a term used to describe a group of conditions characterized by inflammation of the lining of your stomach. in some cases, gastritis can lead to ulcers and an increased risk of stomach cancer. For most people, however, gastritis isn't...
Bloating is the common term for gas buildup in the stomach and intestines. It's often accompanied by abdominal pain which may be either mild and dull or sharp and intense. Passing gas or having a bowel movement may relieve the pain. Learn about...
Constipation is the condition of experiencing hard feces which are difficult to pass. Learn remedies and treatment options for constipation in this health video.
