Your colon, also known as the large intestine is about six feet long, beginning at the cecum and ending at the anus. The anus is also known as the rectum, and cancer located in that area is called rectal cancer. Cancer located in the rest of the colon is called colon cancer. Colorectal cancer is … Continued

The biliary system, including the liver, pancreas and gallbladder, form a part of the body’s digestive system that is responsible for nutrient absorption and waste disposal. A number of disorders can occur in the biliary system. Some of the most common are highlighted below. Ascites Ascites is simply an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen … Continued

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, known as IBS, is a common functional gut disorder characterized by abdominal pain and changes in bowel movements. The term functional disorder refers to the abnormal behavior of the intestines rather than the condition resulting from an injury or disease. According to the American College of Gastroenterology, as many as 15% of the global … Continued

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a comprehensive term describing diseases that are characterized by inflammation of some or all of the digestive tract. The two most common types of IBD are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Both involve abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue and weight loss, and each is characterized by an abnormal reaction by the … Continued

Hemorrhoids occur when the blood vessels in the lower part of your rectum and anus become swollen. There are two types Internal hemorrhoids which occur inside the lining of the rectum and anus External hemorrhoids, which form under the skin surrounding the anus Hemorrhoids, also called piles, affect 1 in 20 Americans. At least half of adults … Continued

For years, doctors thought that eating spicy foods, smoking or stress caused stomach ulcers. Scientists then discovered that bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, known as H. Pylori, are responsible for most peptic ulcers. It is estimated that more than half of the population has H. pylori bacteria in their bodies, but most are unaware, as it … Continued

Heartburn or acid reflux describes the condition when the sphincter muscle in between the esophagus and the stomach relaxes at the wrong time causing the acid from stomach contents to leak back into the esophagus. While occasional heartburn is not uncommon, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) results when heartburn or acid reflux occurs regularly. Symptoms People … Continued

Gastroparesis occurs when the muscular contractions that ordinarily move food through the digestive tract don’t function correctly, preventing the stomach from emptying properly. Symptoms Early signs indicating gastroparesis are: Feeling full quickly when eating Nausea or vomiting Bloating Abdominal pain Heartburn Fluctuation in blood sugar levels Causes In many cases, gastroparesis is idiopathic, meaning that … Continued

Bill Gates would borrow money from the person who ever solves the elusive problem of gas and bloating. People will line up for blocks if the gas problem is solved! While admittedly there is no solution, there are some valuable tools available to ease the problem and the anxiety that goes with the problem. Intestinal … Continued

The normal esophagus is elastic and will relax to allow passage of food. Even food particles as large as 2cm will often pass without difficulty. If a segment of the esophagus losses its elasticity, larger non-compressible food particles will stop within the esophagus. When food stops, it may trigger potent painful contractions of the esophagus … Continued