Almost everyone has experienced heartburn. About 25 million American adults suffer daily from (esophageal reflux, sometimes referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or heartburn). It is that burning sensation felt in the chest and sometimes in the neck. GERD… Read more

The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. However, it is not just a simple tube. The lower esophagus has a specialized muscle around it that usually stays tightly closed, opening only to allow… Read more

This tough looking word, pronounced gas-tro-par-EES-is, is simple enough in its meaning. Gastro means stomach. Paresis means weakness. Gastroparesis is a weak stomach. This condition is very common. It can be the cause of a number of abdominal complaints. While… Read more

Gastroparesis is the medical term for delayed stomach emptying. During the process of digestion, the stomach must contract to empty itself of food and liquid. Normally, it contracts about three times a minute. This empties the stomach within 90-120 minutes… Read more

Gluten is the protein part of wheat, rye, barley, and other related grains. Some people cannot tolerate gluten when it comes in contact with the small intestine. This condition is known as celiac disease (sometimes called non-tropical sprue or gluten… Read more

Everyone has heartburn occasionally. This occurs when stomach acid flows upward (regurgitates) into the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that carries food to the stomach. People usually feel heartburn as a burning sensation or pain behind the breastbone. Often,… Read more

This unusual name identifies a specific bacteria that can cause infection of the stomach. This infection can contribute to the development of diseases, such as dyspepsia (heartburn, bloating and nausea), gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), and ulcers in the stomach… Read more

The liver is the largest organ in the body. It is found high in the right upper abdomen, behind the ribs. It is a very complex organ and has many functions. They include: Storing energy in the form of sugar… Read more

Hemorrhoids, or piles, are one of mankind’s most common and nagging disorders. By themselves, hemorrhoids are rarely serious, but they can be extremely troublesome. In some instances, they may mask a more serious disorder, such as colon or rectal cancer.… Read more

The liver is the largest organ in the body. It sits in the right-upper abdomen just under the right lung and behind the ribs. It is one of the body’s most versatile organs because it performs so many functions all… Read more