If you feel that you might be lactose intolerant, it is important to be properly diagnosed so that you can work with a doctor and dietitian to ensure that you are getting adequate nutrition while avoiding lactose. Lactose intolerance means your...
Any detoxification ritual, including a liver cleanse, may illicit a temporary flare-up of illness, according to the Real Age Medical Encyclopedia. Following a common, gentle cleanse such as lemon juice and olive oil to flush the liver, you may...
The American College of Gastroenterology states that more than 15 million Americans suffer heartburn symptoms daily. Heartburn is commercialized as a condition that must be treated with over-the-counter medications, when in reality, heartburn can...
At this stage of cirrhosis significant amounts of scar tissue have accumulated in the liver, affecting the organ's ability to function properly. Cirrhosis is a life-threatening condition, according to the American Liver Foundation, that is always...
Heartburn is a symptom that does not involve the heart. The pain originates in the esophagus, often in the chest area. The pain occurs when acid from the stomach leaks out and burns the esophagus. While there are no universal foods that trigger...
Probiotic medications contain various strains of probiotics, which are living organisms that help introduce healthy bacteria into the intestinal tract. For individuals who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, commonly known as IBS, irregular...
Constipation, as defined by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, is having less than three bowel movements in a week. The Institute adds that some individuals may not have a bowel movement daily, but that does not...
Anal fissures are tears in the lining of the anus, the opening of the rectum to the outside of the body, that cause pain and bleeding during and after bowel movements. In many cases, anal fissures heal on their own within a few weeks. In some...
Cirrhosis, a condition that occurs in the course of liver disease, consists of the buildup of scar tissue in the liver that significantly decreases the organ's ability to function. The American Liver Foundation indicates that chronic alcoholism...
Piles, or hemorrhoids, are veins near the rectum or anus that bulge because of pressure. The pressure may be caused by straining to pass bowel movements or by conditions such as pregnancy, being overweight, heavy lifting or standing for long...
Heartburn, also called acid indigestion, occurs when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms include a burning pain in the chest after eating or at...
Heartburn occurs when your stomach contents or acids back up in the esophagus, according to the American Gastroenterological Association. Heartburn can usually be controlled through behavior modification in the form of lifestyle changes. These...
Constipation is an unpleasant condition defined by MayoClinic.com as infrequent bowel movements, or having difficult passing stools. The American Gastroenterological Association notes that constipation is generally diagnosed when a person...
The pancreas, a gland that sits behind the pancreas, plays an important role in digestion. The pancreas produces digestive enzymes that help digest fats, carbohydrates and proteins. The pancreas also produces insulin which is a hormone that...
Entocort (generic name budesonide), also known as Entocort EC, is the sole prescription medication that is approved by the FDA to treat mild and moderate cases of Crohn's disease that affects the ileum and ascending colon, according to the product...
Gastric acid reflux, also known as heartburn or GERD, occurs when the esophagus sphincter muscle relaxes prematurely, allowing stomach acid to rise and enter the esophagus. Symptoms include chest pain, burning and in some cases nausea and...
A colonoscopy is a test that can be used to diagnose bleeding in the stools, digestive issues or as a preventative measure to check for colon cancer. The test involves inserting a small camera into the rectum, by way of a thin tube. In order to...
Fiber-rich foods are good for your digestive system, maintaining regular bowel movements and providing nourishment. Although the benefits of fiber sound wonderful, soluble fibers such as in beans, peas and fruits can produce excess gas in your...
According to the American Gastroenterological Association, an occasional bout of indigestion or heartburn from acid reflux is common among American adults and rarely a cause for concern. However, intense or regular acid reflux, including chronic...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports an estimated 3.2 million Americans are living with chronic hepatitis C infection. While the disease varies in severity from person to person, the American Gastroenterological Association...
The symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, known as GERD, are provoked by leaking of stomach contents into the esophagus, according to the American Gastroenterological Association. GERD is diagnosed when symptoms are suffered more than twice...
A virus that damages the liver, hepatitis C passes from person to person through contaminated blood. The Mayo Clinic notes that the most common transmission method of hepatitis C is shared needle use, such as from drug use. About 4.1 million...
Cirrhosis of the liver occurs when scar tissue forms on the liver. As the scarring worsens, symptoms and complications of the condition manifest. According to the American Gastroenterological Association, cirrhosis of the liver is the 11th leading...
Ulcers, also known as peptic ulcers, are open sores that develop in the stomach and duodenum from exposure of the protective mucus layer to stomach acid, according to the American Gastroenterological Association. Damage to the protective mucus...
Constipation is a common and uncomfortable digestive problem that can be the result of a diet low in fiber, a symptom of another digestive disease such as irritable bowel syndrome or a result of some medications. Constipation can be defined as...
All humans have gas in their gastrointestinal tracts. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports that humans produce approximately one to four pints of gas daily. Odorless gases predominate in the intestine,...
Your colon contains the last portion of your digestive tract and the rectum. Also referred to as the large intestine, it begins where the small intestine ends. Occasionally you may experience symptoms that involve the colon, such as bleeding from...
Fatty liver occurs when triglyceride--a form of fat--accumulates within the liver cells. This condition, also known as steatosis, may lead to persistent inflammation and liver damage. Although most fatty liver is caused by excessive alcohol...
The American Gastroenterological Association reports that research on probiotics, which are living microscopic organisms, has shown that they can be of benefit to your health. They are most often used to help with digestive health conditions such...
