Digestive Disorders Medical Reference
- How to Try an Elimination Diet
Do certain foods seem to keep giving you diarrhea? An elimination diet may help you find the problem foods.
- IBD vs. IBS
These two gut conditions have some things in common. But IBS and IBD aren’t the same. Find out about their different causes and treatments.
- What Your Gut Bacteria Say About You
The bacteria in your digestive system can give you and your doctor clues about your health. Find out how.
- Suppositories: What They Treat and How to Use Them
Suppositories aren't scary, they're just a different way to deliver medicine.
- How to Treat Hemorrhoids at Home
You don't need to see a doctor for quick ways to ease your itching and pain, or for ongoing fixes to keep the discomfort from getting worse.
- What Kind of Poop Do I Have?
The Bristol Stool Scale is a way to talk about shapes and types of poop, what doctors call stools. It's also known as the Meyers Scale.
- Why Can’t I Poop?
Can’t go? You’re not alone. Over 42 million Americans have bowel movements less than three times a week.
- Hepatic Encephalopathy
WebMD explains the causes, symptoms, and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy, a brain disorder that may happen if you have advanced liver disease.
- Digestive Health Tips
Learn what’s causing your digestive problems and how to treat and prevent heartburn, constipation, gas, bloating, diarrhea, and hemorrhoids.
- EPI and Your Body
With exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), your gut reactions can offer valuable clues to the condition.
- What Is Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency?
Find out why your pancreas might not be working right.
- Why Is EPI Hard to Diagnose?
There are tests to help you and your doctor figure out what's causing your symptoms.
- Why Take a Sitz Bath?
A sitz bath, or warm-water bath covering the hips and buttocks, can help heal hemorrhoids, bowel issues, and infections.
- What Is Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency?
WebMD explains exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), a condition in which the pancreas isn't producing enough enzymes to break down and absorb nutrients.
- Child Severe Digestive Disorders: An Overview
WebMD provides an overview of intestinal diseases that affect children, from ulcerative colitis to celiac disease.
- Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease
The causes, symptoms, and treatment of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, which causes cysts to grow on the kidneys.
- Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu)
Sick with the "stomach flu"? Learn what causes a stomach "bug" (gastroenteritis) and how it's treated.
- 9 Tips for Smooth Digestion
Want a "recipe" for smoother digestion? Try these nine tips. They'll help you prevent symptoms such as bloating, belching, or burning.
- Recipe Substitutions for Lactose Intolerance
Need help making recipe substitutions for lactose intolerance? Get healthy and delicious recipe ideas.
- Anal Fissures
WebMD explains the causes, symptoms, and treatment of anal fissures.
- Anal Fissure Symptoms
An anal fissure is a tear in the lining of your anus. Learn more about the symptoms of this painful condition.
- Constipation Treatment
You don’t have to suffer from constipation. Find relief with these tips and simple remedies from WebMD.
- Eat Healthy to Avoid Constipation
WebMD offers lifestyle tips for avoiding constipation - and staying regular every day.
- Bowel Incontinence
WebMD explains the causes and treatments for bowel incontinence.
- What Does Blood in the Urine Mean?
Learn more from WebMD about the causes of blood in the urine.
- Diarrhea and the Stomach Flu
The stomach flu brings on some nasty symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhea. Learn more from WebMD about avoiding the viruses that cause it and treating symptoms if you or your child already have it.
- Polycystic Liver Disease: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
WebMD discusses the causes, symptoms, and treatments of polycystic liver disease.
- Hiatal Hernia Diet Tips
Making a few lifestyle adjustments may ease hiatal hernia symptoms.
- Tapeworms in Humans
Learn more from WebMD about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of tapeworms.
- Dumping Syndrome: Is It Curable?
WebMD explains the symptoms and causes of dumping syndrome, foods that trigger it, and how to treat it.
- What Is Peritonitis?
WebMD explains peritonitis - a potentially fatal inflammation of the abdomen's lining - including its causes, symptoms, and treatments.
- Blood in Stool: Causes and Treatment
WebMD explains the causes of bloody stools, the tests to diagnose the underlying problem, and treatment options.
- What Is a Pancreatic Pseudocyst?
WebMD explains pancreatic pseudocysts, painful but benign cysts on the pancreas.
- Could You Have Lactose Intolerance?
If you suffer from gas, cramps, bloating, nausea, or diarrhea after you eat dairy foods, you may have lactose intolerance. Get key facts about symptoms and causes of lactose intolerance.
- Using Probiotics for Diarrhea
A guide to the best sources and kinds of probiotics to prevent travelers' diarrhea, diarrhea from antibiotics, and more.
- Splenectomy
WebMD explains what happens during a splenectomy, what complications are possible, and what recovery will be like.
- H. pylori Infection: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Most people harbor H. pylori and never get sick. Others will have painful ulcers and a higher risk of cancer from infection with the bacteria. WebMD tells you the causes, symptoms, and treatments for H. pylori.
- Ruptured Spleen
WebMD looks at why a spleen might rupture, the symptoms of a ruptured spleen, and surgery to repair or remove this organ, which helps the body fight foreign bacteria.
- Enlarged Spleen: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Enlarged spleen: Learn the possible causes of an enlarged spleen, symptoms to be aware of, and treatments that can help.
- Enlarged Pancreas: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
WebMD looks at possible causes of an enlarged pancreas, including symptoms and treatments.
- Diverticulitis Diet
WebMD explains what a correct diverticulitis diet is, what foods you should eat and avoid with diverticulitis, and how to cook better when you have this condition.
- Milk Thistle: Benefits and Side Effects
WebMD explains the uses and benefits of milk thistle.
- Diarrhea: When Dairy Is the Problem
Are your stomach cramps and diarrhea caused by lactose intolerance? WebMD explains how to control symptoms --and which nondairy foods will give you the calcium and vitamin D your body needs.
- Medicines to Treat Constipation
Find out what kind of prescription and over-the-counter medicine can help treat chronic constipation.
- Safely Using Laxatives for Constipation
Laxatives are typically prescribed for constipation. WebMD explains their different types and how to use them safely.
- Dietary Fiber for Constipation
For safe and effective relief from chronic constipation, look for fiber on your grocer's shelves. Find out more.
- Exercise to Ease Constipation
Straining on the toilet? Move more. Learn why exercise is a natural remedy for chronic constipation.
- How Drinking Fluids Can Help You Manage Constipation
Always constipated? Drinking plenty of water and other natural fluids can help. WebMD explains the connection between hydration and constipation.
- Understanding Hernia -- Diagnosis & Treatment
Learn how a hernia is diagnosed and treated from experts at WebMD.
- Encopresis
Read about encopresis, which is linked to constipation in children.