Gastrointestinal Health
Gastrointestinal health, you will find practical information written by experts about gastrointestinal health in text, video and images. You will also be able to ask your questions or comments in each article so that our community can help you.
44 articles
![Why Do I Have Burning on My Anus?](https://t2.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/5/6/3/why_do_i_have_burning_on_my_anus_13365_300_150.jpg)
A burning sensation on the anus can occur during a bowel movement, but often does so seemingly out of the blue. Although everyone poops, discussing issues which affect the anus is still stigmatized. It can be difficult for us to know what problems may cause a burning rectum, let alone how we may treat them....
![Can Hot Weather Cause Diarrhea?](https://t1.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/5/4/9/can_hot_weather_cause_diarrhea_12945_300_150.jpg)
Heat wave, heating in the house or a heating pad, it doesn’t matter, have you ever noticed heat causing cramps and diarrhea? It’s important to remember some symptoms of heat stroke include palpitations, dehydration and diarrhea. But, why does heat sometimes cause diarrhea and cramps?
If you’re wondering...
![How To Treat External Hemorrhoids](https://t1.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/6/9/7/how_to_treat_external_hemorrhoids_12796_300_150.jpg)
Hemorrhoids are caused due to an inflammation of the hemorrhoidal veins in the rectum. This inflammation occurs as a result of excessive pressure in the area. Depending on the how badly the veins are affected, the hemorrhoids can be external or internal. External hemorrhoids are located under the skin of...
![How Long Does Food Poisoning Last](https://t1.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/7/5/5/how_long_does_food_poisoning_last_12557_300_150.jpg)
Food poisoning is a common condition that happens when you ingest drink or food that is contaminated with parasites, viruses or bacteria. When you have food poisoning, you suffer the uneasy symptoms from your digestive system, including vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and abdominal cramping. If you have been...
![What to Expect after Fissure Surgery](https://t2.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/0/5/4/what_to_expect_after_fissure_surgery_12450_300_150.jpg)
Fissure is a tear or cut in the anus, extending up towards the anal canal. This is a common anal condition, and usually causes severe pain during bowel movements. Anal fissure is usually caused by repeated diarrhea or hard stool that caused trauma to the anal canal. Sometimes, insertion of an enema tip, rectal...
![How to Prevent Anal Fissures](https://t1.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/7/2/4/how_to_prevent_anal_fissures_12427_300_150.jpg)
Anal fissures are cracks or small ulcers located in the folds of the anus, specifically in the mucosa of the rectal area, a very delicate area of thin tissues. This condition can be very annoying for the patient, causing pain when going to the toilet that is sometimes accompanied by bleeding. Although...
![What Does Mucus in Stool Mean - All Possible Reasons](https://t1.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/5/9/3/what_does_mucus_in_stool_mean_all_possible_reasons_12395_300_150.jpg)
Few people actually take notice of mucus in stool, although this is more common than you may think. In spite of the above, it is not advisable to dismiss the presence of mucus as this symptom can be an important indicator of problems related to the digestive system. If you want to know more about what...
![What to Do if you Vomit Blood](https://t1.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/9/7/9/what_to_do_if_you_vomit_blood_4979_300_150.jpg)
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Blood in vomit, known medically as hematemesis, can be spotted when the content of the upper gastrointestinal fluids contain blood, and appears in vomit. It is a condition that can be a symptom of a serious health problem and should therefore be treated urgently. Continuous hematemesis can also lead to...
![8 Natural Methods to Relieve Constipation: Dietary Tips](https://t2.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/3/9/9/8_natural_methods_to_relieve_constipation_dietary_tips_4993_300_150.jpg)
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Proper intestinal transit allows us to feel much lighter and less bloated, but for many people this is a rare occurrence. There are many causes of constipation, but the most common are due to poor eating habits and an overall lack of physical inactivity. Luckily, this also means that a few changes in your...
![What To Eat if You Have Stomach Cramps](https://t1.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/7/0/0/what_to_eat_if_you_have_stomach_cramps_5007_300_150.jpg)
Stomach cramps can be very painful and a nuisance to our day to day life, often caused by irregular bowel movements, digestive problems or the accumulation of substances that when digested, cause problems. The truth is, when we suffer from stomach cramps, the last thing we want to do is eat food. However,...
![How Long Do You Have to Wait After Eating To Swim?](https://t1.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/6/6/9/how_long_do_you_have_to_wait_after_eating_to_swim_4966_300_150.jpg)
We have grown up surrounded by false myths: do not swallow gum or it will stay in your stomach, don't squint or your face will stay that way, behave yourself or Santa will give you coal. Of course, our parents made us realize that life was not easy and that everything we did could have consequences, that...
![What to Eat with Esophagitis](https://t1.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/2/0/0/what_to_eat_with_esophagitis_5002_300_150.jpg)
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Although many different factors can cause esophagitis, diet is one of the key ways to prevent the discomfort and pain caused by this irritation to the esophagitis to deteriorate. One of the many symptoms of esophagitis is the heat generated by the acid reflux, i.e. stomach acid splashing up into the esophagus....
![How to Cleanse your Stomach Naturally](https://t1.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/7/7/7/how_to_cleanse_your_stomach_naturally_777_300_150.jpg)
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To keep your stomach healthy and free from digestive trouble or any other problems you need to eat a balanced diet. But we often feel bloated and extremely heavy when we eat too much, which is when it is recommended to help our body detox. Natural ingredients can be great allies to feel much better on...
![What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD)](https://t2.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/5/2/5/what_are_the_signs_and_symptoms_of_gastroesophageal_reflux_disease_gord_7525_300_150.jpg)
Gastro-oesophageal reflux is an involuntary leakage of gastric contents into the oesophagus caused by inefficiency in the gastro-oesophageal area. Such condition is very common in pregnant women and typically stops after giving birth. However, for non pregnant people with gastroesophageal reflux disease,...
![What Causes Colitis in Adults](https://t1.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/8/0/5/what_causes_colitis_in_adults_9508_300_150.jpg)
Colitis is a disease that causes inflammation of the lining of the colon, which is located at the end of the large intestine connected to the rectum. It may be caused by different factors. It mainly manifests as abdominal pain accompanied by swelling and changes in bowel movements, which could range from...
![Recommended Diet for Irritable Bowel Syndrome](https://t2.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/7/4/2/recommended_diet_for_irritable_bowel_syndrome_10247_300_150.jpg)
Irritable bowel syndrome or colitis is a syndrome that afflicts up to 20% of the general population and carries with it a bad disposal of feces, swelling and pain in the abdomen. Knowing how to live with this condition is about adapting your dietary needs at present to ease these inconveniences in the bathroom...
![What Happens if you Eat Expired Food](https://t2.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/6/7/2/what_happens_if_you_eat_expired_food_11276_300_150.jpg)
Most food products tend to be sold with an expiration date on the label that will tell you for how long can you store it and consume it before food goes bad. Yogurt and cheese usually have a shortened expiration date after which they will start to rot or become moldy. Sometimes you will smell and taste...
![How to Know if your Drink Has Been Spiked](https://t2.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/9/0/2/how_to_know_if_your_drink_has_been_spiked_11209_300_150.jpg)
Sadly, every year, many incidents are being reported of victims ingesting alcohol or other drugs against their consent. The crimes cannot always be apprehended, as they are usually perpetrated in seemingly non-threatening settings, such as summer parties, nightclubs, festivals, 'date nights', fraternity...
![Why Does Food Get Stuck in my Throat?](https://t1.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/4/8/0/why_does_food_get_stuck_in_my_throat_11084_300_150.jpg)
There are many ways that we can cook food to make it tastier and easier to eat. For instance, vegetables can be blended into thick soups so that they are easier to swallow by small children. Other times, this process helps to prevent people from choking on olive pits or fish bones that are naturally...
![How Often Can You Take Laxatives?](https://t2.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/9/7/6/how_often_can_you_take_laxatives_10679_300_150.jpg)
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Laxatives are a a kind of medicine used to relieve constipation for people who have trouble as a result of different conditions or digestion problems. Laxatives can be very useful in relieving these problems in the short term, and can be taken in the form of tablets, capsules or liquid solutions, usually...
![What to Eat When I Feel Nauseous](https://t1.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/4/6/6/what_to_eat_when_i_feel_nauseous_10664_300_150.jpg)
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Nausea can arise as a result of many things, e.g. taking certain medications, pregnancy, aggressive medical treatments (such as chemotherapy), dizziness or simply because the stomach is unsettled.
When you feel nauseous you shouldn't force yourself to eat or drink. Rather, you should eat every two or...
![How to Treat Intestinal Worms at Home](https://t2.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/4/9/9/how_to_treat_intestinal_worms_at_home_9994_300_150.jpg)
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Roundworms commonly refers to an infection of the intestine caused by white and fine parasites, which, to be more specific, live in the large intestine. They then lay their eggs around the anus, which leads to symptoms such as intense itching, irritation and redness in that area. Anyone can contract pinworm...
![How to Know if I have Tapeworm](https://t2.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/7/9/9/how_to_know_if_i_have_tapeworm_9997_300_150.jpg)
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Tapeworm is a parasitic worm that can can grow up to 10 metres in size and live in our digestive tract for up to 25 years, feeding on our nutrients. Once it enters the body, its head sticks to to gut wall and feeds on our food in order to grow. The worm consists of segments that fall off and are eliminated through...
![What are the Symptoms of Colon Polyps](https://t1.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/7/5/9/what_are_the_symptoms_of_colon_polyps_9957_300_150.jpg)
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Polyps are abnormal tissue growths that appear in the mucosa or innermost layer of the large intestine and reach the intestinal canal. The normal area of appearance of these polyps is in the colon and their size that can be from less than a centimetre to a couple centimetres. The rectum is another place where...
![How to Treat Aerophagia through Your Diet](https://t2.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/6/0/2/how_to_treat_aerophagia_through_your_diet_9206_300_150.jpg)
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Aerophagia is a digestive disorder caused by swallowing air while eating, leading to annoying flatulence. If you often suffer from flatulence perhaps it's time to watch your daily diet and start making some healthy changes. This condition is also associated with eating too fast, drinking fizzy drinks,...
![What to Eat if I Have Acid Reflux](https://t1.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/2/5/7/what_to_eat_if_i_have_acid_reflux_7752_300_150.jpg)
Acid reflux is an unpleasant condition that causes burning, discomfort and heartburn, meaning you have very little desire to eat or perform certain activities. It is a condition that you may suffer from time to time but if it manifests itself a lot, you should be checked by a gastroenterologist in order...
![The Best Natural Laxatives](https://t2.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/2/8/8/the_best_natural_laxatives_8882_300_150.jpg)
Do you suffer from constipation? When intestinal transit is not working properly, it is normal to feel uncomfortable and to have intense pain in the belly that often becomes swollen. To solve this problem you can use traditional medicine and take a laxative to help to clean you out or, if you prefer,...
![What Are The Possible Causes of Blood in Poop](https://t1.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/7/7/2/what_are_the_possible_causes_of_blood_in_poop_8277_300_150.jpg)
Blood in the stool is often for many people an important warning sign. However, before you start frantically worrying, you need to determine whether this is a one-off or whether this condition has occurred repeatedly and intensely, which could indicate the presence of a digestive problem. In these cases,...
![What To Eat If I feel like Throwing Up](https://t2.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/4/7/8/what_to_eat_if_i_feel_like_throwing_up_6874_300_150.jpg)
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Nausea is extremely unpleasant but does not always lead to vomiting. Sometimes it is simply an uneasiness that can be combated with food. Eating a meal that does not sit well, certain stomach diseases or conditions such as pregnancy are usually accompanied by nausea. Therefore, it is wise to seek some natural...
![The Best Food To Eat When Suffering From Diarrhea](https://t1.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/7/3/6/the_best_food_to_eat_when_suffering_from_diarrhea_6637_300_150.jpg)
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When an upset stomach due to diarrhea becomes intense it can prevent us from eating normally for some time. During these periods it is important to take care of our stomach and help it recover and return to normal. While we may not feel like eating we should not spend too many hours without doing so or we...
![Home Remedies For Treating IBS](https://t1.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/4/9/2/home_remedies_for_treating_ibs_6294_300_150.jpg)
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If you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS, you'll know how important it is to relieve symptoms. For a comprehensive list of the best home treatments available, keep reading this OneHowTo article. IBS is more common than you might think, with between 10% and 20% of the population suffering from...
![The best Herbal Teas For Constipation](https://t2.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/0/5/0/the_best_herbal_teas_for_constipation_6050_300_150.jpg)
Slow or inefficient intestinal transit is largely due to conditions such as eating a diet low in fibre, having a sedentary lifestyle or a lack of essential hydration. This causes conditions like constipation which is characterized not only by having difficulty excreting but also by suffering with symptoms...
![How to Avoid Getting Gassy From Beans](https://t2.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/9/3/6/how_to_avoid_getting_gassy_from_beans_5639_300_150.jpg)
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Pulses and beans are one of the most nutritious food groups, providing a significant amount of iron, vitamins and minerals and being an excellent source of carbohydrates for our body. But despite all these advantages, lentils, chickpeas, beans, and other legumes, have a side effect which is often annoying...
![Natural Constipation Remedies - 5 Delicious Fruit Juice Smoothies](https://t1.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/6/6/5/natural_constipation_remedies_5_delicious_fruit_juice_smoothies_3566_300_150.jpg)
Natural juices can be an excellent natural remedy to relieve constipation fast both in children and adults. In general, the main causes of constipation are usually a combination of a low-fiber diet, lack of physical activity, significant changes in routine or gastrointestinal disorders.
Therefore, one of the first...
![What to Eat and Drink When you Have Salmonella](https://t1.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/3/8/4/what_to_eat_and_drink_when_you_have_salmonella_5483_300_150.jpg)
Salmonella is one of the most common food-borne infections and usually occurs due to consumption of contaminated food or water. The symptoms appear 48 hours after being in contact with salmonella bacteria and usually are abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, fever and muscle aches. In addition...
![What Really Happens if I Swallow Chewing Gum](https://t2.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/5/4/4/what_really_happens_if_i_swallow_chewing_gum_5445_300_150.jpg)
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When you swallow gum you immediately feel alarmed: what happens now? There are endless myths and legends about whether gum sticks to the stomach or wanders down your organs for seven years, but are they true? Is it really that bad?
What actually happens when you swallow chewing gum? At OneHowTo we want...
![How to Prevent a Bloated, Heavy Stomach](https://t1.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/3/5/4/how_to_prevent_a_bloated_heavy_stomach_5453_300_150.jpg)
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Stomach heaviness, or a bloated stomach, is one of the most common complaints of our time. The absence of a balanced diet, eating in excess or too quickly and using too many spices are some of the causes for making us feel bloated and have heartburn, discomfort and gas. Here are some tips from OneHowTo...
![Stomach Dilation: What Is a Twisted Stomach And How to Cure It](https://t1.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/5/5/4/stomach_dilation_what_is_a_twisted_stomach_and_how_to_cure_it_5455_300_150.jpg)
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Stomach dilation, more commonly know as Twisted Stomach, Gastric Torsion or GDV, is a disease that is caused by an accumulation of gas and liquid within the stomach. There are various factors that also cause the accumulation of gases in the stomach. The most characteristic is the loss of normal digestive...
![How to Prevent Constipation - Causes and Remedies](https://t2.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/9/5/4/how_to_prevent_constipation_causes_and_remedies_5459_300_150.jpg)
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When our bowel movements are irregular and we are unable to have regular stools, this is often because we suffer from constipation. This condition is very uncomfortable and unpleasant, it generates abdominal swelling and pain that may interfere with the patient's daily life.
But avoiding constipation is possible...
![How to get rid of pinworms naturally](https://t1.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/4/4/1/how_to_get_rid_of_pinworms_naturally_3144_300_150.jpg)
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Pinworms are long, white, and usually vary in length from one centimetre. Once infected, the female worm lays its eggs on the skin around the anus. Amongst the symptoms of pinworm we can find anal itching, irritability, nausea and nervousness. These symptoms can often be confused with stomach flu, but...
![How To Make Natural Juices For Gastritis](https://t2.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/4/5/4/how_to_make_natural_juices_for_gastritis_2454_300_150.jpg)
Gastritis is a very common condition that affects the stomach lining causing inflammation and symptoms such as pain, reflux, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, etc. In addition to following doctor's instructions you will have to make some changes to your diet that do not aggravate the problem and help...
![Foods to Help You Go to the Toilet](https://t1.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/7/1/0/foods_to_help_you_go_to_the_toilet_2017_300_150.jpg)
Difficulty defecating is a common condition for many people. Leading a sedentary lifestyle, drinking little water, general bad bathroom habits and low fiber intake are primarily responsible for constipation. One of the important factors to alleviate this problem is to change your diet to incorporate foods...
![What to Eat when you have Gastritis](https://t2.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/5/6/1/what_to_eat_when_you_have_gastritis_1165_300_150.jpg)
Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining(gastric means "of the stomach" and -itis is a suffix used for conditions with inflammation). It is one of the most common stomach problems, so common it reportedly will affect half of the world's population at some point in their lives. The stomach lining...
![Causes of Pain in Right Side of your Stomach](https://t2.uc.ltmcdn.com/en/posts/4/4/1/causes_of_pain_in_right_side_of_your_stomach_144_300_150.jpg)
Pain on the right side of your stomach can mean many things. The first step you should take is to make an appointment with your trusted doctor. Pain in this area is usually associated with kidney problems (appendix, pancreas, etc.). However, it can also result from a bone-related problem. Are you asking...