Digestive conditions such as GERD and colitis are best managed through targeted dietary triggers avoidance, nutritional therapy, and identifying biochemical markers.
The acid/base balance is expressed in terms of pH. An acidic environment has a pH of less than 7.4, whereas a basic or alkaline setting has a pH of greater than 7.4. Molecules that give off hydrogen maintain an acidic pH. In contrast, alkaline molecules attract hydrogen.
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Gastroesophogeal Reflux Disease (GERD), also known as Acid Reflux or "heartburn," is a common problem affecting 10 to 20 percent of the population in the United States.
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Nausea is a sensation of illness that causes vomiting, which is a forceful action that brings the stomach contents up through the esophagus and out of the mouth. Coughing is a forceful movement that removes substances from the airways.
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With aging, the large intestine or colon may develop small pockets known as diverticulae -- or a single diverticulum, if you develop just one pocket. Doctors call this medical condition diverticulosis. Most people with diverticulosis never develop symptoms.
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During pregnancy, women often notice a variety of digestive sensations and discomforts. Because pregnancy changes the rate at which your digestive tract processes food, you may experience symptoms that lead you to believe you've become lactose-intolerant.
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Peptic ulcers are lesions in the lining of your stomach and duodenum, or the upper part of your small intestine, according to Dr. James Balch and Mark Stengler, authors of "Prescription for Natural Cures."
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Described by Medline Plus, the large intestine is composed of five segments: the cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon and the sigmoid colon. The primary function of the large intestine is to absorb the remaining water from the stool before elimination.
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Lactose, commonly called milk sugar, is the primary sugar in dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt. It makes dairy products taste mildly sweet and is a significant source of calories. Lactose is readily metabolized into simpler sugars and absorbed in your intestines if you produce enough enzymes.
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Food provides you with nutrients and vitamins that energize your body to get through your day. Unfortunately, some people find that they feel tired after eating a meal. This can be a sign of a medical condition or food allergy -- see your doctor if you experience fatigue after you eat.
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The human body encounters both good and bad bacteria daily. To microorganisms, the human body represents an attractive environment and source of nutrients. Bacteria that we call "good" helps us digest our food and protects us from bad bacteria that can make us sick or even kill us.
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Whether the result of poor diet, inactivity or a chronic intestinal condition, gas can build up in your belly and make you feel bloated and uncomfortable. Gas pains can be sharp and stabbing or simply make you feel full, but either way they mean you may experience an embarrassing need to pass gas.
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Abdominal pain is a common complaint. It could signal a benign illness or indicate a serious medical condition. The location, duration and associated symptoms of the pain are important in diagnosing its cause.
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If the bowels are injured, inflamed or parts need to be removed due to cancer, a colostomy may be necessary. This procedure involves attaching one end of the intestines to the abdominal wall. Next, an opening is made in the abdominal wall and a colostomy bag is attached, allowing the stools to empty into it.
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Diarrhea, the occurrence of loose watery stool, affects everyone periodically. Acute diarrhea describes a sudden onset that can occur due to viral infections, bacterial infections or parasites.
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Everyone has diarrhea from time to time; it’s usually a sign of food poisoning, food allergies or the flu. Yet when babies get diarrhea, it’s more important to monitor it closely, as their immune systems are much weaker than those of adults.
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The duodenum is a portion of the small intestine and is responsible for absorbing nutrients from partially digested food and passing along the remainder to the rest of the intestinal system.
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Onions and bell peppers hold a flavorful presence in many everyday dishes, but they may be a trigger food for heartburn. To directly answer whether or not they cause heartburn, it truly depends on the individual.
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The process of digestion is carried out through a number of organs in your digestive tract. The first stop is your stomach, which normally propels food into the small intestine to be digested. Sometimes your digestion will slow drastically or stop with food still left, undigested, in your stomach.
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Diarrhea, or loose, watery stools, is a problem that sometimes happens during pregnancy; however, Baby Center notes that constipation is usually more of a problem. There are a number of reasons you could have diarrhea.
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In addition to heartburn, acid reflux can cause pressure or tightness in the chest, with pain that can range from dull to excruciating. In some cases, these symptoms may be impossible to distinguish from those of a heart attack or cardiac chest pain, which is why evaluation by a doctor is so important.
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