Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that affects the large intestine. Symptoms can include bloating, cramping, gas, abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea, making it an uncomfortable and unpleasant health issue. Because IBS is chronic, it needs to be managed over the long term. But unlike other disorders which affect the gut—for instance, Crohn’s
When someone who has celiac disease eats gluten, it triggers an immune reaction in the small intestine. Celiac disease symptoms include bloating, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea or constipation, among others. In some cases, though, it doesn’t cause any digestive symptoms at all. Gluten is a protein found in grains such as wheat, rye, spelt, bulgur, and barley.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) describes a type of disorder that involves chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are the two most common forms of IBD. The symptoms associated with IBD usually include diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, bloody stools and unintended weight loss. IBD can have very serious effects on a
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic digestive condition that involves the stomach and the esophagus. The lower esophageal sphincter is a circle-shaped band of muscle. During normal digestion, it opens so that food can enter the stomach and closes to ensure that food and stomach acid don’t return to the esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux occurs
The esophagus is the tube that carries food and liquids from your mouth to the stomach. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) happens when a band of muscle at the end of your esophagus does not close properly allowing stomach contents to leak back into the esophagus. This often causes a painful burning feeling in your chest
