Digestive Health

Doctors order a colonoscopy to check for diseases of the colon. Colonoscopies allow them to see inside your colon and rectum and diagnose changes in bowel habits, rectal bleeding and abdominal...

To test stomach PH, it's necessary to perform a stomach acid test. This type of test will determine the amount of acidity present in the contents of your stomach and should be performed by a...

Clindamycin is an antibiotic used to treat a variety of infections, such as of the skin, respiratory tract, heart, abdomen and teeth. According to Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National...

Sodium bicarbonate, also called sodium hydrogen carbonate, or "baking soda," is an effective acid-neutralizer and can help with symptoms of indigestion or heartburn when mixed with water and...

Normally, when a person has a bowel movement, the fecal matter is excreted from the body without straining. Sometimes, however, medical conditions, inadequate diet or abnormalities in the physical...

When you have acid reflux disease, your lower esophageal sphincter does not properly contract to keep stomach acids from backing up into your throat. Treatment for acid reflux disease depends on...

Burning in the upper stomach, also known as gastritis, can have numerous causes. Some of the causes include heavy drinking, bacterial infection, injury, certain chronic conditions like Crohn's...

Gallstones are hardened lumps made from either excess cholesterol or excess bilirubin. They vary in size from very small (about the size of a grain of sand) to quite large, to quite large (the...

Your gallbladder is a small reservoir in your digestive system that stores bile from the liver to help you digest fat. When gallbladder disease occurs or if the gallbladder is filled with stones...

Gallbladder duct removal, also called cholecystectomy, is a surgical procedure used to remove a diseased gallbladder, or if you experience pain from recurring gallstones. The surgery is common and...

Diarrhea is uncomfortable and unpleasant to have to deal with. It usually last a few days and is usually caused by a viral infection. Diarrhea can spread from one family member to another...

Ulcerative colitis is an auto-immune disorder that can cause inflammation and ulcers on the lining of the colon. This condition can be caused by a yeast infection known as Candida albicans....

Ischemic colitis occurs when the blood flood to the large intestine is slowed or stopped, causing abdominal pain and bloody stool. This can occur because of an injury or a temporary blockage of...

For the two most common types of colon testing, you'll need to prepare beforehand. A sigmoidoscopy doesn't require too many days of preparation, but the procedure isn't performed as often as the...

Flatulence is a completely normal part of life. Of course, knowing that fact doesn't make it any easier to cope with a flatulence attack at a job interview, first date or any other situation in...

A flexible sigmoidoscopy is an examination of the lower colon, specifically the rectum and the sigmoid colon, to detect the causes of various intestinal ailments, which can include cancer.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, more commonly known as acid reflux, is a painful and irritating condition. It occurs when the liquid contents of the stomach back up into the esophagus, causing it...

Diarrhea is a condition characterized by loose, watery bowel movements that occur more than three times in one day. It has a number of potential causes, including viral and bacterial infections,...

GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a disorder that affects adults, children, and newborns. If your newborn is suffering from GERD, she may exhibit symptoms such as fussiness after...

Nothing is more unpleasant than having a procedure like a colonoscopy, barium enema or bowel surgery, except, perhaps, preparing for the procedure. For procedures that involve an examination of...

Senokot is a natural, vegetable-based laxative. Senokot is indicated for individuals suffering from all types of constipation. This includes constipation that is the result of the use of some...

Diverticula are pouches that develop along the digestive tract, especially in the large intestine; these do not generally lead to serious medical problems, according to the Mayo Clinic. However,...

Giardiasis is a parasitic disease caused by the microscopic parasite Giardia intestinalis. It is found in food and water that has been contaminated with feces. While it is known to be problematic...

A colostomy is a major surgical procedure generally performed due to infection, blockage or trauma of the colon. The most common reasons are diverticulitis or another inflammatory bowel condition,...

Crohn's disease is characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, usually around the juncture between the small and large intestines. This causes severe pain, diarrhea, and other...

Gallbladder, or biliary, sludge is composed of a mixture of small, sand-like particles and mucus within bile. It may exist without symptoms, or intermittent symptoms may be experienced. The most...

Hookworms are intestinal parasites. They cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. If left untreated, they can cause anemia and protein deficiency. Children and pregnant women are particularly at risk....

Aciphex is a medication used in the treatment of gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), duodenal ulcers, esophagitis and other similar intestinal problems. The medication works by suppressing the...

Following the steps of this article will help you get over the stomach flu without going to the doctor and without conventional medication. This is a natural remedy. You will need to rest and...

So many things can cause upset stomach or nausea. You could have a stomach virus, motion sickness, indigestion or appendicitis. You could be having a side effect from a medication or food...

Colon polyps often do not cause symptoms. They are often discovered when the patient is tested for something different. However, your doctor may want to remove the polyps if they are cancerous or...

Believe it or not, over 100 different types of worms can live inside the human body. Some are so tiny that you need a microscope to see them, but others are visible to the naked eye. These...

The duodenum is part of the upper-gastrointestinal system. You might experience pain in this area resembling an ulcer--- but have no ulcer present. This is called nonulcer stomach pain. This...

Finding bright red blood in your stool can be a shocking and terrifying experience. Blood in your stool can be a sign of a health condition, so it is very important to see a doctor for advice.

Kinevac is an intravenous medication that can only be prescribed by a doctor. It is used to reduce gallbladder size by contracting it. This will cause concentrated bile in the gallbladder to be...

Diverticulitis occurs when small pouches in the lining of the lower portion of the large intestine, known as the sigmoid colon, become inflamed and irritated. Follow a special diet during a...

Diarrhea is characterized by frequent watery bowel movements. Additional problems that can occur from having diarrhea are severe dehydration, and the loss of salts, nutrients and electrolytes. In...

When body tissue or an internal organ pops out of its normal place within the body, it's called a hernia. A navel hernia---also known as an umbilical hernia--can often be seen in newborn babies,...

A tapeworm is a parasite that can infest your digestive tract if you eat food or drink water that is contaminated with larvae or eggs. You won't seen many symptoms, although the National...

If you experience rectal bleeding when it is not linked to trying to pass stools, you should see a doctor immediately. Especially if the bleeding becomes heavy or changes color, bleeding in the...

Crestor is the brand name for rosuvastatin calcium, a statin drug, designed to lower cholesterol levels in the body. It's often prescribed to fight atherosclerosis, more commonly known as...

A colonoscopy examines the large intestine, the last stage of your digestive system. The colon is the upper portion of the large intestine, forming a squatty question-mark shape in the abdomen....

A colonoscopy lets your doctor clearly see the inside of your colon and rectum to check for medical conditions and abnormalities. Colonoscopies are recommended in some cases when blood is found in...

Cascara is an over-the-counter medication that is used to relieve occasional constipation. Cascara is not intended to be used on a long-term basis. It is a stimulant laxative. As with any...

You feel a twitch in your stomach. Then another. Pretty soon, you're stuck in the bathroom with diarrhea and vomiting that seem to go on forever. It's obvious there's something wrong, but how do...

People of all ages have at one time or another suffered from an upset stomach. It may have been caused by something ingested or possibly a mild case of anxiety. Whatever the trigger, the feeling...

It is recommended that at age 50 you have a colonoscopy. The thought of having this procedure may cause worry, stress and resistance. Knowing what the entire procedure is for having a colonoscopy...

Colitis and Crohn's disease are two similar types of inflammatory bowel disease that can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, dehydration, fever and other debilitating symptoms. If you suffer from any...

Colon polyps are growths that form on the surface of the large intestine or colon. An individual may have only one polyp or several. These polyps may be flat or raised up like bumps and can...

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus caused by straining during a bowel movement or pressure on these veins due to pregnancy or another condition. Symptoms of hemorrhoids include itching,...