Gastrointestinal Disorder
Introduction Stomach pain, or abdominal pain, is a common complaint in children. It can range from mild and temporary to severe and persistent, and it can have a variety of causes. Understanding the potential reasons for stomach pain in children and knowing when to seek medical care is important for...
Introduction Stomach pain, or abdominal pain, is a common symptom in adults that can range from mild and temporary to severe and chronic. It can arise from a variety of causes, including digestive issues, infections, or underlying medical conditions. Understanding the potential reasons for stomach...
Introduction Functional dyspepsia (FD), often referred to as a sensitive stomach, is a chronic disorder characterized by persistent or recurrent symptoms of indigestion without any identifiable structural or biochemical abnormalities. People with FD experience discomfort in the upper abdomen, such...
Introduction Heartburn, also known as acid reflux, is a common condition characterized by a burning sensation in the chest, often rising up towards the throat. It occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Frequent or persistent...
Introduction Hiccups are involuntary contractions of the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen and plays a crucial role in breathing. Each contraction is followed by a sudden closure of the vocal cords, which produces the characteristic “hic” sound. Hiccups are...
Introduction Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux (GER), occurs when stomach contents flow back up into the esophagus. While mild reflux is common in infants and young children and often resolves on its own, persistent or severe symptoms may indicate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which...
Introduction A stomach ulcer, also known as a peptic ulcer, is a sore that develops in the lining of the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine (duodenum). Ulcers occur when the protective mucus layer is weakened, allowing stomach acid to damage the underlying tissue. Stomach ulcers are a...
Introduction Pyloric stenosis is a condition that affects infants, typically between 2 and 12 weeks of age, in which the pylorus (the muscular valve between the stomach and the small intestine) thickens and narrows. This narrowing blocks the passage of food from the stomach into the small intestine...
Introduction Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, a small, finger-shaped pouch attached to the large intestine in the lower right side of the abdomen. It is a common cause of acute abdominal pain and is considered a medical emergency. If left untreated, an inflamed appendix can burst...
Introduction Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common, chronic disorder that affects the large intestine (colon). It is characterized by a group of symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation, or both. IBS is sometimes referred to as a...
Introduction Diverticulitis is a condition where small pouches (diverticula) that form in the wall of the colon become inflamed or infected. These pouches are common, especially in older adults, and the presence of diverticula without inflammation is called diverticulosis. When these pouches become...
Introduction Intussusception is a serious condition in which one segment of the intestine slides into an adjacent segment, much like the parts of a telescope. This telescoping effect can block the passage of food and fluids, cut off blood supply to the affected part of the intestine, and lead to...
Introduction An inguinal hernia occurs when tissue, such as part of the intestine, protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles in the groin area. This can create a noticeable bulge and cause pain or discomfort, especially when straining, lifting, or coughing. Inguinal hernias are more...
Introduction Pancreatitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach that plays a crucial role in digestion and blood sugar regulation. Pancreatitis can be acute (sudden and severe) or chronic (long-lasting and recurring). Both forms can cause...
Introduction Liver cirrhosis, also known as cirrhosis of the liver, is a late stage of chronic liver disease characterized by the replacement of healthy liver tissue with scar tissue (fibrosis). This scarring impairs the liver’s ability to function properly and can lead to serious complications...
Introduction Stomach flu, also known as acute gastroenteritis, is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines that causes diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. It is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection and is highly contagious. While uncomfortable, most cases of stomach flu are mild...
Introduction Stomach flu, or acute gastroenteritis, is a common illness in infants and young children. It is characterized by inflammation of the stomach and intestines, leading to diarrhea, vomiting, and sometimes fever and abdominal pain. While most cases are mild and resolve on their own, young...
Introduction An umbilical hernia occurs when a portion of the intestine or other abdominal tissue protrudes through the umbilical opening in the abdominal muscles near the navel (belly button). This condition is common in infants and usually resolves on its own within the first few years of life...
Introduction Changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea and constipation, are common and can often be attributed to dietary changes, stress, or minor infections. However, the presence of blood in the stool is a more concerning symptom that warrants medical evaluation. This article discusses the...
Introduction Amoebic infection, also known as amoebiasis, is an intestinal illness caused by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica. This infection is most common in areas with poor sanitation and is typically spread through contaminated food or water. While many people infected with the parasite do not...
Introduction Dysentery is a type of intestinal infection that causes severe diarrhea with blood and mucus. One of the most common causes of dysentery worldwide is infection with the bacterium Shigella. Shigella dysentery, also known as shigellosis, is highly contagious and can spread rapidly...
Introduction Cholera is a severe diarrheal disease caused by infection with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is most commonly found in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water. Cholera can cause rapid dehydration and, if left untreated, can be life-threatening. However, with...
Introduction Salmonella infection, also known as salmonellosis, is a common bacterial illness that affects the digestive system. It is typically caused by eating food or drinking water contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. While most cases result in mild to moderate gastrointestinal symptoms, the...
Introduction Traveler’s diarrhea (TD) is a common illness that affects people traveling to areas with poor sanitation and hygiene. It is typically caused by consuming food or water contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites. While TD is usually mild and self-limiting, it can disrupt...
Introduction Winter vomiting disease, commonly known as norovirus infection, is a highly contagious viral illness that causes sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhea. Norovirus, a member of the calicivirus family, is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. Outbreaks are especially...
Introduction Gallstones are solid particles that form in the gallbladder, a small organ located beneath the liver. The gallbladder stores bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver. Gallstones can range in size from tiny grains to large stones and may cause no symptoms or lead to severe pain and...
Introduction Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It is usually a short-term illness that does not lead to chronic liver disease, but it can cause significant discomfort and, in rare cases, severe complications. Hepatitis A is most commonly spread...
Introduction Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the mouth to the anus. It is characterized by inflammation that extends deep into the layers of the bowel wall, leading to a variety of symptoms and...
Introduction Microscopic colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterized by chronic inflammation of the large intestine (colon) that can only be seen under a microscope. Unlike other forms of IBD, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, the colon appears normal...
Introduction Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the innermost lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum. It is characterized by inflammation and ulcers (sores) in the colon lining, leading to a variety of symptoms and potential complications...
Introduction Hirschsprung’s disease is a rare congenital condition that affects the large intestine (colon) and causes problems with passing stool. It occurs when nerve cells (ganglion cells) are missing from a segment of the bowel, resulting in a lack of normal muscle contractions (peristalsis) in...
Introduction An anal fissure is a small tear or crack in the lining of the anal canal, the opening through which stool leaves the body. This condition is common and can cause significant pain, especially during and after bowel movements. Anal fissures can affect people of all ages, including infants...
Introduction Fecal incontinence, also known as bowel incontinence, is the inability to control bowel movements, resulting in the involuntary leakage of stool. This condition can range from occasional leakage of small amounts of stool to a complete loss of bowel control. Fecal incontinence can be...
Introduction Abscesses and fistulas around the anal opening are conditions that involve infection and abnormal connections in the tissues near the anus. An anal abscess is a collection of pus caused by infection, while an anal fistula is a small tunnel that can form between the end of the bowel and...
Introduction Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus and rectum that can cause pain, itching, and bleeding. They are a common condition, affecting many adults at some point in their lives. Hemorrhoids can be located inside the rectum (internal hemorrhoids) or under the skin around the anus...
Introduction Itching around the anal opening, also known as pruritus ani, is a common symptom that can affect both children and adults. While it is often mild and temporary, persistent itching can be uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing. Identifying and treating the underlying cause is important...
Introduction Rectal prolapse occurs when the rectum (the last part of the large intestine) loses its normal attachments inside the body and protrudes through the anus. The prolapse can be partial, involving only the lining of the rectum (mucosal prolapse), or complete, involving the entire wall of...
Introduction Roundworm infection, also known as ascariasis, is a type of intestinal parasitic infection caused by the roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides. It is one of the most common worm infections worldwide, especially in areas with poor sanitation. While many people with a mild infection have no...
Introduction Bowel obstruction, also known as intestinal obstruction or “tarmvred” in Swedish, is a serious condition where the normal flow of contents through the intestines is blocked. This blockage can occur in either the small or large intestine and may be partial or complete. Bowel...
Introduction Soiling, also known as encopresis, refers to the repeated, voluntary or involuntary passage of stool in places that are not socially acceptable, such as clothing or the floor, in children who are usually old enough to be toilet trained (typically age 4 or older). Encopresis can be a...
Introduction Pain in the anal opening, also known as anorectal pain, can be a symptom of various conditions affecting the anus and rectum. The pain can range from mild discomfort to severe, sharp, or throbbing pain. Identifying the underlying cause is essential for effective treatment. Causes Anal...
Introduction Pinworm infection, also known as enterobiasis, is a common intestinal parasitic infection caused by the pinworm Enterobius vermicularis. It is most common in children but can affect people of all ages. Pinworm infection is easily spread and often causes itching around the anus. Causes...