The symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, known as GERD, are provoked by leaking of stomach contents into the esophagus, according to the American Gastroenterological Association. GERD is diagnosed when symptoms are suffered more than twice weekly.

Colitis, also referred to as ulcerative colitis, is a type of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the colon. The symptoms of ulcerative colitis, which include bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhea, usually occur in flare-ups, which means they come and go.

Any time a certain food causes side effects after eating it, you need to discuss the symptoms with your doctor. It’s possible that you may have an allergy or intolerance with bell peppers. It is possible to have a food allergy or food intolerance to any food.

Despite the name, heartburn actually has nothing to do with the heart but instead is the result of acidic stomach contents escaping into the esophagus and causing a burning sensation, typically behind the breastbone and sometimes extending upward into the throat. This regurgitation is called acid reflux.

There are a variety of medicines for acid reflux, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Some can deal with heartburn problems immediately. They include antacid tablets and liquids that can be taken when acid reflux first strikes.

The appendix is a finger-like appendage located on the right side of the large intestine. Approximately 5 percent of Americans experience an infection of the appendix, called appendicitis, according to The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library Home Edition.

Approximately 40 percent of Americans have a sliding hiatal hernia, according to 2006 information from the Merck Manual. The esophagus--the tube that runs from the mouth to the stomach--passes through an opening in the diaphragm, the sheet of muscle that separates the chest from the abdominal cavity.

Ulcers are not a result of stress, but they can certainly cause it. Ulcers are characterized by sharp pains after eating and may be accompanied by belching, nausea and loss of appetite. If untreated, ulcers can eventually require surgery.

Slow digestive systems can leave you feeling lethargic, bloated and possibly even like you have gained weight. Your digestive system is an essential part of your metabolism, and along with eliminating waste, it is through this system that you absorb the vitamins and other nutrients that are in your food.

Emergen-C is a powdered dietary supplement which turns into a sweet, fizzy drink when you add water. Each serving of Emergen-C contains a megadose of vitamin C, which may cause diarrhea in sensitive individuals.

According to the National Institutes of Health, a colonoscopy is a lower gastrointestinal tract examination to assess patients for abnormalities in the colon. A colonoscopy is performed on an outpatient basis and lasts 15 to 30 minutes. Bleeding after this procedure may occur for several reasons.

Most people have experienced diarrhea at some point in life, and while it is uncomfortable, it tends to resolve on its own within a few days. Acute bleeding diarrhea, however, can be a sign of serious illness and should be treated as a medical emergency, according to the May 2009 issue of the medical journal "