What is the lactose tolerance test? The lactose tolerance test is a test for diagnosing an intolerance of ingested lactose. Lactose intolerance is a genetic condition in which individuals are unable to digest and absorb the lactose sugar in cow’s milk. What is lactose intolerance? Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest the sugar in …
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What is endoscopy? Standard upper gastrointestinal endoscopes (120 cm flexible tubes with a light and camera on their tips) are capable of reaching only a foot or so past the stomach into the small intestine. If abnormalities are located within this area, these endoscopes have working channels through which surgical instruments can be passed so that diagnostic and therapeutic procedures …
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Reflux laryngitis definition and facts Reflux laryngitis is inflammation of the voice box (larynx) caused by stomach acid backing up into the esophagus (acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD). Heartburn is the most common symptom of reflux laryngitis. Acid reflux can irritate and inflame the lining of the esophagus and cause signs and symptoms that may include: Chronic hoarseness Problems …
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What Is the Difference Between Prednisone and Budesonide? Prednisone and budesonide are types of steroids used to treat Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Prednisone is also used to treat arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, skin problems, and allergies. It is also are commonly used to suppress the immune system and prevent the body from rejecting transplanted organs, and as replacement therapy in …
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What is loperamide (Imodium)? How does it work (mechanism of action)? Loperamide is a medication that is used for the relief of acute diarrhea and the management of chronic diarrhea in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis). The effectiveness of loperamide is comparable to another anti-diarrheal, diphenoxylate (Lomotil). Loperamide reduces diarrhea by slowing the forward propulsion …
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What is hepatitis C (HCV, hep C)? Readers Comments 1 Share Your Story Hepatitis C (HCV, hep C) is one of several viruses that cause hepatitis (inflammation of the liver). It Is hard for the human immune system to eliminate the virus from the body, and 85% of infections with hep C become chronic. Over decades, chronic infection damages the …
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Asacol vs. Humira Both Asacol (mesalamine) and Humira (adalimumab) are used to treat different kinds of inflammatory bowel diseases. Asacol (mesalamine is an anti-inflammatory medication used to treat inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] including ulcerative colitis [UC]). Asacol is different from Humira (adalimumab) which is an injectable protein (antibody) that is an immune modulator drug used to treat different autoimmune conditions …
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What is mesalamine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Mesalamine is a drug used for treating ulcerative colitis and mild to moderate Crohn's disease. The exact mechanism of mesalamine is not known but is believed to be by reducing inflammation in the colon. Ulcerative colitis and other inflammatory diseases cause excessive production of chemicals, for example, prostaglandins, that …
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What is telaprevir, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Telaprevir is a man-made antiviral medication that targets hepatitis C virus (HCV). Similar drugs include simeprevir (Olysio) and boceprevir (Victrelis). These drugs are called direct-acting antiviral agents because they act directly on hepatitis C virus. They block the replication of hepatitis C virus in human cells by binding to …
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What is sofosbuvir, and how does it work? Sofosbuvir is an oral, direct-acting antiviral agent used for treating infections with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Other direct-acting hepatitis C treatments include: boceprevir (Victrelis) telaprevir (Incivek) simeprevir (Olysio) After administration sofosbuvir is first converted to an active form. The active form of sofosbuvir interferes with multiplication of the ribonucleic acid (RNA) …
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