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Helicobacter pylori, commonly referred to as H. pylori, is a bacterium that infects the stomach and the small intestines. It is very common – more than 50% of the worldwide population is believed to have it – but most people are unaware that they have it. You might have an H. pylori infection and not…
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…
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…
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…
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1.3% of adults in the United States have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Crohn’s disease is an IBD that causes your digestive tract to become irritated and inflamed. When any part of this pathway gets irritated and swollen, your body’s ability to break down food…
Your digestive organs ensure that what you eat and drink are absorbed and converted into energy and nutrients your body can use, while waste materials are eliminated. However, the body may sometimes be unable to digest certain types of food or sugar, like lactose. As a result, you may experience symptoms such as gas and…
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…
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…
Heartburn is a common gastrointestinal condition that feels like burning in the chest. Although occasional heartburn is not usually a cause for concern, frequent episodes may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) – which, if left untreated, can lead to serious medical complications. The sensation of heartburn is caused by stomach acid traveling…
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…
