Conditions

If you often have a painful burning feeling in your chest after you eat, you may have GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).

GERD can irritate the esophagus. It can cause problems with swallowing or breathing. In severe cases, GERD can cause recurrent pneumonia or other serious problems.

Your side may hurt so much that you called your healthcare provider. Or maybe you went straight to the hospital emergency room. If the symptoms came on quickly, you may have appendicitis. This is an infection of the appendix. Surgery can remove the infection and relieve your symptoms. Read on to learn more.

This common problem occurs when part of the stomach slides up through the diaphragm into the chest cavity. Hiatal hernias aren't like hernias in your groin. Most hiatal hernias cause no symptoms and need no treatment. If you notice symptoms, usually you can control them easily.

A hernia can happen when there is a weakness or defect in the wall of the abdomen or groin. Intestines or nearby tissues may move from their usual location and push through the weakness in the wall, causing a bulge.

This chronic condition affects your large intestine. With it, your bowels are hypersensitive. You may need to use the restroom frequently and urgently. This can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. It can interfere with your daily life.

This chronic disease of your digestive tract makes it hard for you to digest food properly. Most often, Crohn's disease affects the lower part of your small intestine (called the "ileum") and the upper part of the colon. But the inflammation can happen anywhere along your digestive tract.

Crohn's disease causes swelling, inflammation, and irritation in the digestive tract. It is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Read on to learn more.

Colitis is when a part of your colon becomes inflamed or swollen. Colitis can be caused by infections, certain medicines, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Crohn's disease is inflammation of the intestinal tract that comes and goes in flare-ups. Crohn's disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder of the intestines. It is not a disease, but a group of symptoms caused by changes in the way the intestines work.

This video will help you to understand how and why surgeons remove a gallbladder.

This is a surgery to remove a small organ under your liver. It's called the "gallbladder," and it stores bile (that's a fluid used for digestion). You may need this surgery if gallstones have collected in your gallbladder, or if the gallbladder is causing other problems. You'll be able to live a normal life without this organ.

Gallstones form when certain substances in the bile crystallize and become solid. Read on for details about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

Biliary colic is spasm of the gallbladder. This can be caused by gallstones blocking the passage of bile out of the gallbladder. Here's how to care for the condition at home.

Cholecystitis is inflammation and infection of the gallbladder. This can be caused by a gallstone blocking bile from passing out of the gallbladder. Read on to learn how to care for yourself at home.

The gallbladder can become irritated and spasm because of gallstones. This is called biliary colic. It causes abdominal pain.

Peptic ulcers are erosions in the lining of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum. Ulcers in the stomach are called gastric ulcers, and duodenal ulcers if in the duodenum. This video explains the possible causes of this disease, including the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.

Chronic pancreatitis is a persistent inflammation of the pancreas, the gland that secretes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon. Alcohol abuse is the most common cause of this condition. This video discusses how this condition develops and what treatment your doctor may recommend.

Alcoholic hepatitis is caused by excessive and chronic alcohol use and can progress to fatty liver and cirrhosis if the alcohol abuse continues. This video explores who is at risk for this disease and how your health care provider makes the diagnosis.

Lactose is the main sugar in cow's milk. People who have difficulty digesting milk have lactose intolerance. The condition is caused by a shortage of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose into a form that can be used by the body. This video explains how you can cope with this condition.

Pseudomembranous colitis is an inflammatory disorder of the colon associated with antibiotic use. Bacteria such as Clostridium difficile, which are usually present in the colon, can flourish when antibiotics are taken. This video explains how this disorder develops and what treatment is recommended.

The digestive tract, also known as the gastrointestinal (or GI) tract, is the pathway through which food passes through the body. The digestive tract begins at the mouth and ends at the rectum. Organs within the digestive tract break down food, extract the nutrients and expel the remaining waste.

Your liver is an organ that helps filter your blood. It helps process and store nutrients from the foods you eat. And it does other important jobs. When scar tissue builds up in your liver over time, this is called "cirrhosis."

A small bowel obstruction is when part or all of your small intestine (bowel) is blocked. Then digestive contents can't move through the bowel properly and out of your body. Treatment is needed right away to remove the blockage. Read on for information about symptoms and treatment.

A large bowel obstruction occurs when part or all of your large intestine is blocked. As a result, waste can't move through your bowel properly and out of the body. You must be treated right away to manage the blockage.

Do you often have burning pain in your chest? You may have esophagitis. This is when the lining of the esophagus becomes red and swollen (inflamed).

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease. You can manage the disease by removing gluten from your diet. This relieves your symptoms.

Gastroparesis (also called delayed gastric emptying) happens when the stomach takes longer than normal to empty of food. For many people, gastroparesis is a lifelong condition. Read on to learn more about gastroparesis and how it can be managed.

The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine. It's just past the stomach. Duodenitis is inflammation of the lining of the duodenum. This sheet tells you more about this health problem.

An anal fissure is a small rip or tear in the lining of the anus. Learn about its causes, symptoms, and treatment.

Diverticulosis and diverticulitis are 2 problems involving the colon (large intestine). These conditions can be painful. But they can be managed. Read on to learn how.

Traditionally ulcers were thought to be caused by too much spicy food, stress, or an anxious personality. We now know that most ulcers are likely due to infection with bacteria known as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).

If you have a problem swallowing foods or liquids, you may have dysphagia.

Gastritis is a painful inflammation of the stomach lining. Work with your healthcare provider to find ways to treat your symptoms.

Rectal bleeding is when blood passes through your rectum and anus. It can occur happen with or without a bowel movement. Rectal bleeding may be a sign of a serious problem in your rectum, colon, or upper GI tract. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any rectal bleeding.

Most hemorrhoids aren't something to worry about. But a thrombosed hemorrhoid is more painful. It occurs when a small blood clot develops in an external hemorrhoid. This can cause severe pain and sometimes bleeding. Read on to learn more.

An intestinal obstruction is when the small or large intestine is blocked at one or more spots. This prevents air, food, stool, and fluid from passing normally through the digestive system.

Functional dyspepsia is a set of long-term symptoms. You can learn ways to manage your symptoms over time. This may include taking medicines. It may also mean making changes to your diet and managing your mental health.

Lysis of adhesions is a surgery to cut bands of tissue that form between organs. These bands are called adhesions. They are often caused by scar tissue that formed after an earlier surgery.

Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is an uncommon health problem in adults. It's when you have sudden, recurring episodes or attacks of vomiting. The attacks may occur over a period of a few days or weeks.

Signs of an internal injury may take time to appear after a blow to the abdomen, even if the condition does not seem serious at first. Watch out for new symptoms.

Sometimes it's hard to pinpoint the exact cause of abdominal pain. But, it's important to know how to care for yourself and what to watch for.

The gastrointestinal form of anthrax occurs after eating food that has been contaminated with anthrax spores or meat from an animal infected with anthrax. Not everyone who ingests anthrax will get sick. Read on to learn how to care for yourself at home.

Ascites is fluid collecting in the belly. Symptoms include belly swelling and a feeling of pressure. Read on to learn how to care for yourself at home.

Gastroenteritis is an infection in the intestinal tract. It is often caused by bacteria. This infection may cause fever, vomiting, stomach cramping, and diarrhea. Here's how to care for yourself at home.

Constipation can be an uncomfortable and frustrating condition. Learn how to care for yourself at home and when to call the doctor.

The biggest concern with diarrhea is fluid loss(dehydration). This sheet can help you take care of yourself while you are ill.

The main concern with bacterial diarrhea is becoming dehydrated. This sheet can help you care for yourself at home.

This sheet can help you take care of yourself when you have diarrhea.

Here's what to eat and drink for the first few days after you've had vomiting or diarrhea.

Certain foods produce gas when digested. In some people, these foods make an excessive amount of gas. Read on to find out which foods to avoid, and what other things may be causing gas.

Some people get pouches along the wall of the colon as they get older. These pouches are called diverticula. They often cause no symptoms. If the pouches become blocked, you can get an infection. This infection is called diverticulitis.

When the muscles of the esophagus tighten or contract abnormally, it is known as spasm. Esophageal spasm is more common in people with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The esophagus can become blocked after swallowing a large piece of food, taking a large pill, or swallowing foreign objects. Recurring blockage can be a sign of disease in the esophagus.

Esophagitis is an inflammation of the lining of the esophagus. This can occur from acid reflux or an infection. The most common cause of infection is a fungus called candida.

If you've recently been treated for fecal impaction, this sheet can help you prevent future problems.

It can be hard to tell the difference between food poisoning and viral gastroenteritis. Home care is similar in either case. This sheet can help you take care of yourelf while you are ill.

Gastritis is inflammation and irritation of the stomach lining. It can be present for a short time or it can be long lasting.

Gastroenteritis can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping. Here's how to take care of yourself at home and when to call your healthcare provider.

Hemorrhoids are swollen and inflamed veins inside the rectum and near the anus.

Learn how to care for yourself and manage your diet when you have lactose intolerance.

Accidentally taking too much of a medicine or swallowing a chemical product may be harmful. Follow these instructions if there is no sign of toxic effects.

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. Read on to learn details about care for this condition.

Pinworms are parasitic worms. During a pinworm infection, they live in the rectum and cause intense itching around the anus.

Pyloric stenosis is narrowing of the pylorus. This can block the passage of food out of the stomach. The problem is often first seen in young infants.

When certain fish are not refrigerated correctly, bacteria can grow inside them. The bacteria cause the release of histamine from the fish. Eating spoiled fish containing histamine can cause allergy-like symptoms.

Indigestible objects are sometimes swallowed by adults. Some objects may move through the digestive tract and pass out of the body with no problems and no need for treatment.

Tapeworm is a parasite that grows in the intestines (gut). They can live in your body for many years, or they can leave the body during a bowel movement. Tapeworms can cause an infection.

Traveler's diarrhea is an infection in the intestinal tract caused by bacteria called E coli. This bacteria is commonly found in water supplies of developing countries.

The appearance of blood in the stool depends on where in the gastrointestinal tract the bleeding is coming from. Blood from the upper part of the GI tract is usually black or dark. Blood may also appear in the vomit. This looks like coffee grounds.

A peptic ulcer is an open sore in the lining of the stomach. It may also occur in the duodenum. Learn how to care for yourself when you have this condition.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic condition that causes inflammation and ulcers in the rectum and colon. It's a form of inflammatory bowel disease. Learn about symptoms, home care, and follow-up care.

Gastritis is irritation and inflammation of the stomach lining. An ulcer is an open sore in the lining of the stomach. The causes and symptoms of gastritis and ulcers are very similar.

Gastroenteritis is also called the stomach flu. The main treatment for this illness is to be sure to stay hydrated.

Learn how to care for yourself during a vomiting illness.

The cause of epigastric pain is not always obvious. It may be accompanied by other symptoms depending on what is causing it.

A hiccup is a spasm of the diaphragm muscle. In most cases, hiccups are not serious. They last just a few minutes, and often go away without any treatment.

A peptic ulcer is an open sore in the lining of the stomach or duodenum. In many cases, bacteria called H. pylori are thought to be involved in the development of a peptic ulcer.