digestion

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG): Tube Placement

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy facts Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is a procedure that allows nutritional support for patients who cannot take food orally. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy involves placement of a tube through the abdominal wall and into the stomach through which nutritional liquids can be infused. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is a surgical procedure; however, it does not …

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How to Test for Lactose Intolerance: Stool Acidity Test

What is a stool acidity test? Readers Comments 1 Share Your Story The stool acidity test is a test for diagnosing intolerance to lactose, the sugar contained in milk, in infants and very young children. What is lactose intolerance? Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest the lactose sugar in milk. Milk containing the sugar lactose is a main source …

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Hepatic Hemangioma: Get the Facts on Symptoms

What is a hepatic hemangioma? Hepatic hemangiomas are thought to be present in as many as 7% of healthy people. Hemangiomas are four to six times more common in women than in men. Female hormones may promote the formation and growth of hemangiomas. Hemangiomas, although referred to as tumors, are not malignant and do not become cancerous. Hemangiomas are not …

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Laparoscopy: Read All About This Procedure

Though many gastrointestinal disorders can be treated successfully with lifestyle changes or medications, some conditions may require surgery. Laparoscopic surgery and hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) are, “minimally invasive” procedures commonly used to treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Unlike traditional surgery on the colon or other parts of the intestines where a long incision down the center of the abdomen …

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