digestion

What is stomach pain? Cramping abdominal pain arises from hyperactivity of normal intestinal peristalsis, also known as muscle contractions, and can be caused by excess gas, irritation of the intestines from infection or inflammation, blockage, and even stress. One of the worst feelings is to wake up in the middle of the night with a …

What is a bad gallbladder? The first sign of a bad gallbladder is pain in your upper right abdomen, where your gallbladder is located. The most common gallbladder problem is gallstones. The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ that is underneath your liver and stores bile. Bile is a digestive fluid that breaks down fat. The gallbladder plays an important …

What is a pinworm infection? Share Your Story Picture of pinworm and pinworm eggs (magnified). Source: CDC.gov Pinworm infection is caused by the helminth (Enterobius vermicularis), a small, white parasitic worm. The pinworm is about the length of a staple (ranges from 2 to 13 mm [0.08 to 0.5 inches]) and lives for the most part in the rectum of …

What is dyspepsia? The symptoms of dyspepsia include digestive tract discomfort, feeling of fullness, bloating, nausea or vomiting, excessive belching, and heartburn. Dyspepsia, also known as functional dyspepsia, is long-term or recurring indigestion. Dyspepsia can be uncomfortable and often causes pain or distress within your digestive tract. Often, dyspepsia will not cause long-term damage to your body, but it can …

What is appendicitis? The cause of appendicitis is not always clear, but it's usually related to viral or bacterial infections, large intestine blockages, inflammatory bowel disease, abdominal trauma, and benign or malignant tumors. The appendix is a small organ located in the lower right of your abdomen. It is joined to your large intestine. While researchers used to think the …

What is malabsorption? Malabsorption is when your body has trouble digesting food and absorbing nutrients. Common symptoms include bloating, weight loss, fatigue, muscle weakness, abdominal discomfort, bad smelling stools, rashes, swollen feet and hands, and nausea and vomiting. Malabsorption refers to poor absorption of nutrients by the intestines. When you are experiencing malabsorption, your body has problems digesting food and …

What are gallstones? Gallstones are small, hard deposits that form in your gallbladder from bile that crystallizes. Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, gas, heartburn, diarrhea, and loss of appetite are common symptoms of gallstones. Gallstones are small, hard deposits that form in your gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that rests under your liver and stores bile. …

Not all types of nausea result in vomiting, but vomiting is often preceded by nausea. Nausea is the feeling that you are soon going to throw up! Your salivary secretions increase, you feel heaviness in your chest and throat, and you feel like throwing up. We all feel uncomfortable when we are sick, and nausea goes a notch higher in …

A baby with stomach pain may have the following signs and symptoms the baby is grumpy or fussy and more. When a baby has a stomachache or stomach pain, it can cause significant discomfort, making it difficult for the baby to sleep or rest. Knowing the cause of the pain can help determine if the child requires medical attention or …

What are kidney stones? It can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks for a kidney stone to pass. If you've been trying to pass your kidney stone for close to six weeks, seek medical attention. Kidney stones are small hard objects that form from minerals found in your urine. Normally, your body disposes of these minerals through …