Conditions

This is a burning sensation in your chest. It is related to your digestive system. Most people experience heartburn occasionally, and have only mild discomfort. But for some, it can be a chronic and painful problem.

This is a throat irritation that happens when stomach acid travels up into your throat. Normally, this acid is kept in your stomach by a muscle called the "lower esophageal sphincter." But, if this muscle doesn't work properly, it lets acid escape and go up your esophagus to your throat. We call this "reflux."

This is a surgery for appendicitis. That's a painful swelling of your appendix, a small organ connected to your large intestine.

This surgery repairs a weak spot in your abdominal wall. It prevents organs and tissues from bulging out uncomfortably. That's a condition we call a "hernia."

This is a label given to certain conditions that cause problems with your gastrointestinal tract. With IBD, your intestines become irritated and inflamed. This gets worse over time. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are the most common forms of IBD.

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.

If you have IBS, you know how frustrating it can be. It's uncomfortable and inconvenient, and it can be embarrassing. The good news is you can take steps to manage your symptoms. These tips will help.

This is a chronic disease that affects your large intestine. With it, your intestine becomes inflamed. And sores we call "ulcers" form on your intestine's inner walls.

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.

Learn the facts behind some common concerns about gallbladder surgery.

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.

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.

This common illness affects your digestive system. It's not really a flu. It's an inflammation of the lining of your intestines. Doctors often call it "gastroenteritis." Most people recover from it with no treatment.

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.

This is an immune system disease. With it, your immune system reacts to foods that contain gluten. That's a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. When you eat gluten, your immune system attacks and harms your small intestine. This makes it hard for your body to absorb nutrients.

When you eat some foods, you feel bad. The doctor says you have "celiac disease." But what does this mean, exactly? Let's learn all about it.

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."

You've been diagnosed with cirrhosis, and you have some questions and concerns. How will it affect you? What does it mean for your future? Well, it means you'll need to make some changes in your life. Use these simple strategies to manage your cirrhosis and to keep your liver as healthy as possible.

This is a digestive disorder. With it, your body can't fully digest lactose. That's a sugar found in dairy milk and milk products. To break down lactose, your small intestine makes an enzyme called "lactase." But if you are lactose intolerant, you don't make enough lactase. Consuming milk and dairy can cause unpleasant problems.

This is a sore that forms in the lining of your digestive tract. It develops when stomach acid eats through the mucus layer that protects the walls of your digestive tract. A peptic ulcer can form in your stomach. It can also form in your esophagus, or in the upper part of your small intestine.

We've all felt pain in our stomach area at some time. Usually, it isn't cause for alarm. But abdominal pain can be a sign of a medical emergency.

This condition is an inflammation and swelling of the veins of the anus or rectum. Hemorrhoids may occur inside or outside the anus.

With this problem, you have trouble controlling your bowels. You may have leaks. You may soil your clothing before you can get to a toilet. This keeps you from being as active as you like.

We've all had hiccups. They can be funny, and aren't usually a sign of anything serious. But what causes them? Why do we get hiccups, and how can we get rid of them?

If you have a problem with digestion, you may have heard about enzyme supplements. They support digestive health. Some are prescribed by doctors. Others are sold in health food stores and drug stores without a prescription. But should you take them? And, are they safe to use?

This is an inflammation of one or more small, bulging pouches called "diverticula." They form in weak spots in the wall of your intestines. Most often they're found in your large intestine. When you have these pouches, we say you have "diverticulosis." When they become irritated or infected, you have "diverticulitis."

This happens when small pouches called "diverticula" bulge through weak spots in the wall of your intestines. Most often, they're found in your large intestine.

This is an inflammation of your stomach lining. It happens when stomach acid irritates the inside of your stomach. This can happen suddenly and heal quickly. Or, it can develop slowly and last for a long time.

This is a problem with the tube that connects your throat to your stomach. It's your "esophagus." With Barrett's esophagus, the lining of this tube becomes red and thick. This makes it hard for you to swallow food. It also raises your risk for cancer of the esophagus.

This is when you have too much gas in your digestive tract. Having some gas is normal for everyone. We release it by burping and farting. But if you do this more than 20 times each day, we say you have "excess" gas. Excess gas can be embarrassing. And if it builds up inside you and you can't get rid of it, it can be very painful.

Your appendix is a small, tube-like organ attached to your large intestine. It's on the lower right side of your abdomen. But what does it do, exactly? Let's take a moment to learn about this mysterious structure.