The gallbladder is a small sac located under the liver. It serves the purpose of storing bile that the liver produces. During the digestion process, the gallbladder releases bile to aid in digestion. It’s especially necessary for fat digestion. In some cases, the gallbladder can have issues, which can lead to uncomfortable symptoms and serious…
How accurate is a stool test for colon cancer screening?
Colorectal or colon cancer screening is one of the deadliest types of cancer affecting both men and women. It usually produces symptoms only when the disease has reached an advanced stage. If you are concerned about colon cancer, the best thing you can do is to ask your primary care doctor about colon cancer screening….
Is It Indigestion, or Could It Be My Gallbladder?
Indigestion and gallstones are two different gastrointestinal conditions that can cause abdominal discomfort after eating, especially after eating certain foods. It is easy to get these conditions confused with one another, because there are many similarities. Whereas indigestion usually responds well to over-the-counter treatments, problems with the gallbladder – such as gallstones – require medical…
Triggers of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Have you ever felt abdominal pain for what seems like no reason at all, or suddenly found yourself going to the bathroom (and having a bowel movement) more often than you usually do? Is there a change in the appearance of your stool? If so, these signs could point to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Research…
Signs and Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance
For many people, ice cream is an absolute favorite dessert. Macaroni and cheese and pizza are go-to quick dinners. And cereal is a given for breakfast. But for many people, these foods can stimulate a terribly uncomfortable gastrointestinal reaction. When milk products or anything that contains a milk-derived ingredient cause these signs and symptoms, it’s…
Fun Facts About Your Digestive System
Your digestive system plays a crucial function – breaking down the food you eat and what you drink, turning them into nutrients and energy for the healthy functioning of the body, and sending them through the gastrointestinal tract for elimination. Your digestive system begins at your mouth and ends at your anus, quite literally a…
Treatments for Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest the lactose in milk products. This inability – which is literally indigestion – produces uncomfortable symptoms, such as bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. A person who is not lactose intolerant naturally produces an enzyme called lactase, which is essential in digesting lactose. It is the lactase enzyme…
What You Should Know About Colon Cancer Screening
Screenings are an essential part of disease prevention. Having regular preventive scans can detect conditions that may have not begun to show symptoms yet, especially conditions which rarely display any symptoms at all. One of the most common and fatal cancers in both men and women is colon cancer. It is estimated that over 140,000…
How Is Celiac Disease Diagnosed?
Almost 2 million people in the United States have celiac disease, but roughly 75% of them do not know that they have it, according to a study conducted by the Mayo Clinic. A person who has an immediate family member with this hereditary, autoimmune disease has a 10% chance of developing the condition. Celiac disease…
What Is Cirrhosis?
Your liver performs vital functions in your body. It reduces the number of harmful substances in the bloodstream, breaks down fat, manufactures bile for digestion, and stores nutrients – and returns some of them back to the bloodstream. Therefore, any issues with your liver can have implications for the rest of your body. One of…