Stomach pain is any pain, dull or sharp, that occurs between your chest and pelvic regions. The pain can be intermittent, chronic, or feel like cramping. There are a number of things that can cause abdominal pain or stomachaches ranging from eating too much to more serious diseases. Inflammation of other organs can also cause pain in your stomach. It …
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Lactose intolerance is very common, with close to 75 percent of the world population being affected. Having lactose intolerance means that eating dairy foods and products causes digestive disruption and discomfort, and this can seriously impact your quality of life. The basis of lactose intolerance is an inability to digest lactose, which is the main carbohydrate in dairy foods. Identifying …
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Your stomach produces secretions made from hydrochloric acid, mucus, and several enzymes. Low stomach acid or hypochlorhydria is characterized by a deficiency in hydrochloric acid. This acid is necessary to help your body break down food and absorb nutrients. It also helps to kill bacteria and viruses that may enter the stomach through your food. Food digestion becomes disrupted when levels of …
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Diarrhea is defined as loose and watery stools combined with an urgent need to empty the bowels. This can last for a few days, and depending on the cause, it will often go away without any need for treatment. Diarrhea can be classified as either acute or chronic, and there is also a type known as traveler’s diarrhea. Each has …
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Abdominal bloating occurs when your stomach fills with either gas or air. A bloated stomach will appear distended and very full. It may also be tender to touch and feel slightly hard. In some cases, the swelling can be tender and cause discomfort and pain too. Bloating can be the result of eating a meal that was too large or …
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Food intolerance is different from a food allergy, but many of the symptoms are the same. It can be difficult to tell the difference, so be sure to speak with your doctor if you suspect that you have an intolerance or food allergy. It is important to understand the difference because an allergy involves your immune system, which can lead …
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Many people lose weight as a way to improve health or as a result of stress. There are also circumstances that cause unintentional weight loss, and these are typically related to health concerns. Unexplained weight loss can be a symptom of a serious health condition or disease. Losing more than 5 percent of your weight within 6 to 12 months is …
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Your colon is responsible for absorbing water from any residual food as it passes through to be excreted. In doing so, waste is created, and the colon muscles propel everything along to the rectum for expulsion. If the stool or waste remains in the colon for too long, it becomes hard and difficult to move along. This is constipation, and …
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Nausea is an uncomfortable feeling in your stomach that makes you feel as though you want to vomit. It may be a precursor to vomiting, but it can also be a symptom of certain medical conditions. There may be times when you vomit and other times where you only have the sensation but do not actually empty your stomach. Nausea …
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It may be embarrassing at times, but the passing of gas or farting (or flatulence) is a natural digestive reaction. It is the term given to gas that moves through your digestive tract and is typically a normal part of the process. Gas can collect in your digestive tract from swallowing air when you are eating or as a result …
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