When it comes to gastroenterological issues, most people know about irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease. However, not many people know about diverticulitis. Diverticulitis is the infection or inflammation of pouches that can develop in your intestines. The pouches are called diverticula – if you have them, the condition is called diverticulosis. Diverticula can develop anywhere along the GI tract but are most common in the lower parts. They are vulnerable to ... [Read More]
Digestive Disease
Treatments for Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which results in the irritation and chronic inflammation of your digestive tract. Unlike other gut-related illnesses, ulcerative colitis affects only the large colon and, in some cases, the rectum. This disease affects the innermost lining of both the colon and the rectum, often causing the formation of ulcers (also known as sores) which tend to bleed and excrete mucus or pus. It may also prompt frequent trips to the bathroom. There ... [Read More]
From Contamination to Treatment: Understanding E. Coli Infections (Food Poisoning)
All too often, it seems, the news reports contain stories about a salad or hamburger manufacturer having to recall its lettuce or beef (or other foods) due to an E. coli contamination. So, what exactly is E. coli? Short for Escherichia coli, these bacteria are found in the intestines of healthy people and animals. Most types of E. coli are harmless. However, certain varieties can make you violently ill and may even be fatal. The most common of these bad strains are Shiga toxin-producing E. ... [Read More]
The Signs and Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease
An estimated 500,000 people in the United States have been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, a chronic condition that causes inflammation in the digestive tract, but primarily affects the small intestine. The start of the large intestine is also affected, though the disease can really affect any and all parts of the digestive tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, the rectum and anus; and are responsible for processing food as it passes through the body. The ... [Read More]
What is Crohn’s Disease?
Crohn’s disease is a form of irritable bowel disease that causes inflammation and irritation of the digestive system. The digestive system includes every organ between the mouth and anus that processes food: the esophagus, stomach, intestines, rectum, and anus. For the more than half a million Americans who suffer from Crohn’s Disease, any day can present a bout with diarrhea, stomach cramps, and loss of appetite, weight loss and more. More definitively, Crohn’s disease can attack any part of ... [Read More]
Correlation Between Coffee and Liver Disease
This might be the best news you have heard in some time: drinking coffee isn’t dangerous to your liver. In fact, there is some evidence that coffee actually is good for your liver, and drinking it could even reverse liver damage, but first, what is liver disease, and what exactly is the correlation between the liver and America’s favorite morning pick-me-up? Liver Disease Liver disease – cirrhosis – is a devastating complication of liver disease and is a leading cause of death in the ... [Read More]
What is IBS?
According to the National Institutes of Health, Irritable bowel syndrome – IBS – “is a group of symptoms that occur together, including repeated pain in your abdomen and changes in your bowel movements, which may be diarrhea, constipation, or both.” In other words, IBS is defined by its symptoms rather than its cause. There’s good reason for that. The root cause hasn’t been defined. Medical science has not yet been able to pinpoint why IBS occurs, only that it does for some people and that ... [Read More]
How Probiotics Help Your Gut Health
The ancient saying “food is medicine” is increasingly becoming a mantra in modern culture. More people understand that good health is best managed through conscious healthy food consumption. Many diseases are triggered or aggravated by unhealthy food habits, so maintaining a healthy gut microbiome is crucial. It can be an active weapon against disease – or a direct contributor. It helps in reducing inflammation and risks for diseases, both trivial and serious. Gut health also helps in burning ... [Read More]
Most Common Signs and Symptoms of Gastrointestinal Disorders
Gastrointestinal disorders are among some of the most commonly diagnosed medical conditions, yet some people hesitate to discuss them with a doctor, especially those ones that affect bathroom habits. However, GI conditions aren’t limited to the bowel. They comprise a variety of issues, from heartburn to hepatitis C. These disorders can range in severity from acute, mildly annoying, to chronic, debilitating and potentially life-threatening. In other words, they’re well worth talking with your ... [Read More]
Chronic Pancreatitis Overview
Pancreatitis, the disease that 28-year-old Swedish DJ Avicii lived within the years before his recent death, is on the rise in the United States. Pancreatitis is characterized as inflammation in the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach. Acute pancreatitis can come on suddenly, signaling a new and concerning problem. However, whether from lifestyle choices or a lingering health issue, chronic pancreatitis can build up until it becomes unbearable and even dangerous. The pancreas serves ... [Read More]
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