Bad Breath
Do you fear your breath is strong enough to scare small children? You might be mistaken. People are notoriously inept at assessing the odor of
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Anorexia Nervosa
What is anorexia nervosa? Anorexia nervosa, or simply anorexia, is a psychiatric and physical illness in which the sufferer basically starves herself. Clinically, a person
Constipation and Aging
What is constipation? If you’ve ever exchanged tips about eating prunes or drinking lots of water to stay regular, then you’ve probably had personal experience
Relief from the Digestive Blues
“Food, glorious food,” begins the chorus of young boys in Oliver, the musical based on the Charles Dickens’s classic, Oliver Twist. “Hot sausage and mustard.
Seniors and Hemorrhoids
In Turkish, they’re known as “bottom tulips”; in Dutch they’re called “anus berries.” But to many who have hemorrhoids, they are simply — well, a
Heartburn
Lying down after a big meal, you feel a burning pain in the center of your chest. Before long, the fire spreads upward to your
Asthma and GERD: What’s the connection?
At first glance, asthma and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) seem like completely unrelated problems. After all, asthma is a chronic lung condition that causes the
Smoking Is Hazardous to Your (Digestive) Health
Smokers with digestive trouble often blame their diet, stress, bad luck — anything but their cigarettes. After all, the stomach is a long way from
Quiz: What Do You Know About Constipation?
Americans spend more than $700 million on laxatives each year — seemingly enough to keep the whole animal kingdom regular. But despite all of those
GERD
GERD is the acronym for gastroesophageal reflux disease, a condition in which stomach acid frequently splashes into the esophagus. GERD occurs when the valve connecting
How Much Do You Know About Stomach Ulcers?
Until recent decades, doctors had almost no idea what caused these often painful breaks in the stomach lining, and they were just as puzzled about
Gallstones
The gallbladder often seems more trouble than it’s worth. This small storage pouch plays a minor role in the body, but it’s a major source
Celiac Disease
What is celiac disease? Just about everybody loves the smell of freshly baked whole-wheat bread, but not everyone can afford to take a bite. For
Gastritis
What is gastritis? Many people — including some doctors — use “gastritis” as a fancy word for stomachache, but the term really means “inflammation of
Colostomy
Walk into a crowded bus station or supermarket, and there’s bound to be somebody who has had a colostomy. The thing is, you probably won’t
Travelers’ Diarrhea
Travelers to Mexico call it “Montezuma’s revenge,” while Mexicans call it “turista” (tourist). It undoubtedly goes by other names in Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle
Constipation
Many people think the day isn’t complete without a bowel movement, a notion that leads to a lot of unnecessary worrying. Elderly people, who are
Dyspepsia (Indigestion)
What is dyspepsia? Dyspepsia — commonly known as indigestion — is a catch-all term for pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen. Everything from stress
Digital Rectal Exam
What is a digital rectal exam? A digital rectal exam (DRE) is a simple, potentially life-saving procedure. It’s also something that most people would rather
Gastroenteritis (“Stomach Flu”)
What is gastroenteritis? Many people blame “the stomach flu” whenever they fall ill with nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting. But stomach flu is actually a misnomer: