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 …
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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 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 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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What is dysphagia? Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. Symptoms include trouble swallowing certain foods or liquids, food getting stuck, coughing during eating, excess saliva, and frequent pneumonia. Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. If you have this condition, you may swallow more slowly than other people. Some people with dysphagia also experience pain when swallowing …
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What is bloating in the stomach? The most common causes of bloating in the stomach are intestinal gas, constipation, premenstrual syndrome, and indigestion. It’s common to feel like your belly is tight, full, and swollen. When your gut is full of food or stool, it's normal for your belly to stick out a bit more than it did when you …
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What is blood in the stool? Stool that is bright red, maroon colored, or black may be a sign of concern. It can be a symptom of many disorders some of which may be serious. It is important to recognize the signs of blood in the stool early. Stool that is bright red, maroon colored, or black may be a …
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What is appendicitis? If your child has appendicitis they may exhibit sudden abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, excessive gas or inability to pass gas, fever, diarrhea or constipation. The appendix is a small organ joined to the large intestine and located in the lower right of the abdomen. People used to think the appendix served no useful …
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