What is pancreatitis? The primary symptom of pancreatitis is upper abdominal pain that may spread to your back. Additional symptoms may include fever, nausea, vomiting, rapid pulse, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, and cough. In the United States, acute pancreatitis is one of the most common reasons people with gastrointestinal problems are admitted to the …
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What is food poisoning? Many cases of food poisoning never get an official diagnosis from the doctor. If you need to visit your doctor for food poisoning, they will diagnose you based on your symptoms. Food poisoning is a common illness that happens if you eat contaminated food. There are about 48 million cases of foodborne illness annually in the …
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What is acid reflux? Acid reflux (GERD, heartburn) is when acid from your stomach ends up flowing back up into your esophagus. The most common symptoms include problems swallowing, chest pain, feeling of a lump in your throat, regurgitating food or liquids, and vomiting. Acid reflux is a condition where acid from your stomach ends up flowing back up into …
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What is a hiatal hernia? A hiatal hernia is a condition that occurs when a part of the stomach pushes through an opening in the diaphragm. Risk factors and medical conditions that can cause a hiatal hernia include being over the age of 50, obesity, heavy lifting, smoking, pregnancy, and straining (bowel movement or exercise). A hiatal hernia is a …
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What are hemorrhoids? Minor blood spots can be a symptom of hemorrhoids, but if there's more consistent blood appearing during bowel movements, it could be a sign of colon cancer, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis. Hemorrhoids are itchy, painful, and sometimes bleeding masses of swollen tissues located in the anus and rectum. Hemorrhoid symptoms can be either internal, located above …
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What is heartburn? Heartburn symptoms can be similar to angina (heart attack), including pain in your chest or upper torso, irregular heartbeat, cold sweats, weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, indigestion, nausea, and vomiting. Whoever coined the phrase "hurts so good" may have just finished a spicy meal. If you've ever felt a burning sensation in your throat or chest …
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What is a colostomy? A colostomy is a surgery where an opening is made from the colon out through the abdomen allowing stools to pass out through the abdomen instead of passing through the bowels and rectum. Your colon plays an important role in supporting your health. It processes food, removes waste, and may even support your immune system. So …
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What is frequent urination? Frequent urination can be a sign of overactive bladder, drinking too much, urinary tract infection, diabetes, pregnancy, kidney stones, stroke, prostatitis, and more. The average person urinates six or seven times a day. However, there is nothing wrong with urinating anywhere from four to 10 times over a 24-hour period. How often you urinate can depend …
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What is GERD? GERD symptoms start with acid reflux and then can progress to include chest pain, nausea and vomiting, sore throat, hoarseness, coughing or wheezing, excess saliva, inflamed gum tissue, and even acid erosion of your teeth. If you've ever enjoyed a spicy dish or eaten a large meal at your favorite restaurant, you've probably experienced a form of …
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What is a kidney infection? You'll know you have a kidney infection if you have discomfort or pain when urinating, frequent urination, high fever and chills, lower torso pain, nausea and vomiting, and/or blood in urine. Your kidneys remove waste and excess fluids from your body, but sometimes they can get infected. Kidney infection, or pyelonephritis, is a type of …
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