Acute Hepatic Porphyria (AHP)
Acute hepatic porphyria (AHP) is a group of rare genetic conditions that can cause severe, sudden (acute) symptoms. These symptoms can happen in various parts of the body and often require a hospital visit. There are four types of AHP which include: It is estimated that 5 in every 100,000 persons have AHP. Most people […]
Clostridioides Difficile Infection (CDI)
Clostridioides difficile infection or C. difficile is a bacterium that can infect the large bowel (or colon) and is a major cause of infectious colitis and diarrhea in healthcare settings around the world. Infectious colitis is redness, swelling, and inflammation of the colon. (It was formerly known as Clostridium difficile; however, was renamed after it […]
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
What is inflammatory bowel disease? Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic irritation and ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract; Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the most common disorders. The disorders can develop in any age group but are usually diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 30. What is Crohn’s disease? The digestive […]
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBS affects up to 5-10% of individuals worldwide and affects children and adults of both genders. Although IBS does not shorten a person’s life span, it is associated with a large health care and economic burden. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder in which people have reoccurring issues with abdominal discomfort or pain that […]
Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction
The sphincter of Oddi is a muscular valve that controls the flow of digestive juices (bile and pancreatic juice) through ducts from the liver and pancreas into the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) describes the situation when the sphincter does not relax at the appropriate time (due to […]
Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction
Intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIP) is a rare condition with symptoms like those caused by a bowel obstruction, or blockage. But when the intestines are examined, no blockage is found. Instead, the symptoms are due to nerve (visceral neuropathy) or muscle (visceral myopathy) problems that affect the movement of food, fluid, and air through the intestines. The […]
Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis
Note: Many disorders can affect the digestive tract. Some can have symptoms that may be similar to or overlap with gastrointestinal (GI) functional or motility disorders. These will have uniquely identifying features which differentiate them from functional GI or motility disorders. What is Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis? Diverticulosis: Diverticulosis is the condition of having small pouches […]
Centrally Mediated Abdominal Pain Syndrome (CAPS)
People with functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders can have a variety of symptoms that range from painless diarrhea or constipation to pain associated with diarrhea and/or constipation (usually called irritable bowel syndrome). There is another, less common condition of abdominal pain that is chronic or frequently recurring; it is not associated with changes in bowel pattern […]
Volvulus
Volvulus is a condition in which the bowel twists on itself, causing obstruction to the flow of material through the bowel. It can also lead to obstruction of the blood supply to the intestine itself, which can result in tissue death within the bowel.[1] It is most commonly due to a birth defect called […]
Globus
Globus (Latin for globe or ball) is the sensation of a lump or ball in the throat, typically felt in the throat at the level of the Adam’s apple. It is commonly experienced with an intense emotional experience such as stress. The “globus response” is a common human experience. It seems equally prevalent in men […]
Dyspepsia
¿Sólo hablas español? en españolTratamiento la Dispepsia Funcional: Cuáles son sus opciones? Dyspepsia is a common disorder that affects up to 30% of the general population. Symptoms of Dyspepsia Symptoms of dyspepsia include: upper abdominal pain or discomfort frequently include symptoms of burning, pressure, or fullness often, but not necessarily, related to meals. early feeling […]
Anal Fistulas
What is an anal fistula? A fistula is an abnormal connection between two organs or two tissue surfaces. An anal fistula (fistula-in-ano) is a connection between the anal canal and the skin. In order to understand the cause, treatment, and complications of therapy for fistula-in-ano, an understanding of the anatomy of the anal canal is […]