A hemoccult test or fecal occult blood test might be indicated if you notice a change in your stool color or blood in your stool. The test detects abnormal gastrointestinal bleeding and can aid in the early diagnosis of colon cancer. But the exact...
Traces of blood in your infant's stool can be an alarming discovery, and it might be difficult to determine what is causing the blood to appear and when you need to take your baby to the doctor. By observing other symptoms, you can understand what...
Used as a screening tool for colon and rectal cancer, a hemoccult test is most accurate when you follow the instructions of your doctor carefully. There are certain foods you should avoid while participating in a hemoccult test for the benefit of...
Proteins are the building blocks of every cell in the body. Your cellular structures, hormones, enzymes and blood components all are made up of various types and arrangements of proteins, which are vital for growth, development and normal body...
Gastritis is the medical term used to refer to inflammation of the stomach lining. It is a condition with a variety of causes, but regardless of its origin, the symptoms tend to be similar. You may feel nauseous or less hungry than usual. Some...
Colon cancer, which is cancer of the longest part of the large intestine, and rectal cancer, which is cancer of the end of the large intestine, are typically combined into the term colorectal cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. With...
Lactose intolerance in babies can be painful. It is the body's inability to properly process or metabolize lactose due to a lack of enzymes in the digestive system. Lactose is a type of sugar found in mammalian milk. In utero, babies can...
Lactose intolerance, or lactase deficiency, occurs when a person's body doesn't make enough lactase, the enzyme that breaks down the sugar in milk and makes it digestible. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most children do not...
Clay white stools are likely to alarm both parent and child. Healthy stools should be brown or tan in color, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, and they should be yellow if the child is exclusively breastfed. While there are some...
Blood in the stool is never normal. The symptom is known as hematochezia, which means the stools are red or maroon colored. Hematochezia should always be reported to a doctor, as it can indicate a serious health condition or injury. Blood can come...
Gastritis is inflammation of your stomach's lining. The Better Health Channel website states that the principal cause of gastritis is infection with the Helicobacter pylori bacterium, although other factors -- alcohol consumption, certain...
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease that affects the colon or large intestine and can cause inflammation, ulcers, bleeding and bowel perforation. Symptoms of ulcerative colitis include frequent diarrhea, possibly blood diarrhea and intense...
Yes, gastritis describes different diseases, not just one disease. It could refer to various conditions that are all related to the inflammation of the stomach lining as a result of bacterial infection. Gastritis can be caused by prolonged use of...
The digestive process transforms food into microscopic particles that nourish the body. Humans utilize two types of digestion -- mechanical, such as chewing, and chemical, using enzymes. Digestive juices hold these enzymes and are released by the...
Gastritis can wreak havoc on your stomach, causing uncomfortable symptoms such as hiccups, heartburn and nausea. If left untreated, this condition can literally eat away the lining of your stomach and cause painful peptic ulcers. While ground beef...
If you are lactose intolerant, your small intestine cannot adequately produce an enzyme called lactase, which helps break down lactose. Because of this, you may experience nausea, bloating, diarrhea, gas and abdominal cramps after consuming foods...
Gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach lining/gastric mucosa. It is caused by myriad factors, the most important being a bacterial infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) of the stomach gastric mucosa. Other causes include regular...
Men should have regular physical exams even if they are healthy. Conditions such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure often do not produce symptoms until advanced stages. Visiting your doctor regularly also helps maintain a relationship in...
Trypsin is an enzyme essential to the digestive system. The deadly disease human hereditary pancreatitis is an inherited condition that inhibits your body from properly regulating trypsin. The amount of trypsin in your body exceeds normal levels...
It is really a medical professional who should first spot colorectal concerns in your body. Signs that are noticed during screenings are usually growths called polyps or other early indications of precancerous or cancerous conditions. These can...
Salmonella is a potentially dangerous bacterial poisoning that can result from consuming raw or undercooked chicken and eggs. According to November 2009 ABC News article that referred to a "Consumer Reports" conclusion that two-thirds of chickens...
Abdominal pain is experienced by both men and women, and can come from an array of different things. Some abdominal pain can be mild and tolerable, or it can be severe enough to send a person to the hospital. This is a very common symptom, and...
Indigestion, also called dyspepsia, is characterized by burning pain or discomfort in the upper to middle part of your stomach. It can occur while eating or shortly after consuming a meal. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse...
While many of the symptoms of Asperger's can be treated with a variety of medications, there is not one magic pill for the syndrome. People with Asperger's often lack proper social skills, have obsessive tendencies and can be clumsy or akward....
Belching or burping is the body's natural method of removing gas from the stomach. Belching, also known as eructation, remains a social faux pas and is considered by many to be rude. Belching is commonly related to bloating and flatulence. Most...
Belching, also called burping, can be socially embarrassing. Belching creates a characteristic sound as gas is released from the stomach through the mouth. Belching during or after eating is normal, according to the University of Maryland Medical...
Lactose is a form of sugar found in dairy products, such as milk and cheese. Some people have an inability to digest lactose. Symptoms include stomach cramps, gas, diarrhea, nausea and stomach swelling. Lactose intolerance often doesn't occur...
Severe abdominal pain that's alleviated when you eat is most likely the result of an ulcer. The most common symptom of an ulcer is abdominal pain, according to MayoClinic.com. The pain may get worse when your stomach is empty because the exposed...
Fat malabsorption is an inability of the intestine to absorb fats. Fats are essential nutrients needed for energy and growth. A number of diseases of the intestine, liver and pancreas can lead to this condition. Toddlers can be severely affected...
Roundworms are popular parasites in the animal world and can have debilitating effects on humans. Learn more about roundworms in this medical video.
