Step-By-Step Guides

Gut Health

  • Ulcer

    WHAT IS IT? Ulcers are open sores that develop on the inner lining of an organ. The most common ulcers are peptic ulcers. Peptic ulcers include: Gastric ulcers. Gastric ulcers occur on the inside of the stomach. Esophageal ulcers. Esophageal ulcers occur inside the esophagus. Duodenal ulcers.... View Post

  • GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)

    WHAT IS IT?When you swallow, the lower esophageal sphincter — a circular band of muscle around the bottom part of your esophagus — relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow down into your stomach. Then it closes again. If this valve relaxes abnormally or it weakens, stomach acid can flow back up (... View Post

  • Gallstones

    WHAT IS IT?Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive fluid (bile) that can form in your gallbladder. The stones may be as small as grains of sand or as large as golf balls. Some people develop just one gallstone, while others develop many.It’s not clear what causes gallstones to form. Some ma... View Post

  • Diverticulitis

    WHAT IS IT?It’s not uncommon for small, bulging pouches (diverticula) to form in the lining of your digestive tract. The pouches are most often found in the lower large intestine (colon). They develop when weak spots in the colon give way under pressure.Seldom do the pouches cause problems. But s... View Post

  • Diarrhea

    WHAT IS IT? Diarrhea occurs when food and fluids you ingest pass too quickly through your colon or in too large of an amount or both. Normally, your colon absorbs liquids from the food you eat, leaving a semisolid stool. If the liquids aren’t absorbed, the result is a watery bowel movement.If you... View Post

  • Constipation

    WHAT’S THE CAUSE?Constipation often results from too little fluids, too little fiber, too little activity, and older age. It can also be a side effect of some medications.Signs and symptoms of constipation may include: Less than three bowel movements a week Bowel movements that are hard, dry and... View Post

  • Celiac Disease

    WHAT IS IT?Celiac disease is an immune reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.Among people who have the disease, their immune systems react to gluten similarly to how they respond to a virus or bacteria — they try to attack and destroy the protein. This reaction infl... View Post