What is an anoscopy procedure? Anoscopy uses an anal speculum to insert a camera and tools for diagnosis and biopsy of conditions involving the lower digestive tract. Anoscopy is a procedure to examine the walls of the anus and part of the rectum. It is performed with a rigid tube (anoscope) that is inserted a...
What is ulcerative colitis? Treatment could involve either medical or surgical treatment, depending on the severity. Patients would also require lifestyle changes. Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the inner lining of the large intestine (large bowel or colon) leading to erosion and ulcers. It is a lifelong illness with no...
What is hepatitis? The term ‘hepatitis‘ means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis can be caused by viruses, other infectious agents, alcohol, and other chemicals. The two viruses that most commonly infect the liver are the hepatitis A virus and the hepatitis B virus. Although their names are similar, these viruses are not related. They differ...
An woman drinks water through a napkin, an old wives tale hiccup remedy.Source: Getty Images What are the reasons for hiccups? A hiccup is a sudden, involuntary contraction (spasm) of the diaphragm muscle. When the muscle spasms, the vocal cords snap shut, producing the hiccup sound. Common causes of hiccups include: eating too quickly, eating...
What is fecal impaction? Impacted stool caused by chronic constipation can cause emergency complications, but treatment for mild cases is straightforward. Fecal impaction is a gastrointestinal problem in which the stool becomes a dry, hard mass in the rectum or colon, and cannot be expelled naturally. The hardened stool obstructs the colon and additional fecal...
Hepatitis C infection (HCV) definition and facts Readers Comments 11 Share Your Story What is HCV, how is it transmitted, are there symptoms, and is it curable? Hepatitis C (hep C, HCV) is one of several viruses that cause viral hepatitis (inflammation of the liver). About 2.4 million people are estimated to be currently living...
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is considered to be an autoimmune disease Ulcerative colitis (UC) is considered to be an autoimmune disease. With autoimmune disorders, your immune system goes awry and attacks your own body instead of defending it from infections and illnesses. The main abnormality that causes inflammation in ulcerative colitis is an exaggerated T cell...
What is a colostomy? A colostomy is a surgical procedure that creates a stoma, or opening, in the colon that connects to the outside by going through the abdomen. With a loop colostomy stoma, the entire loop of the colon is turned outward. A colostomy is a surgical procedure to create a stoma in the large bowel...
What is a hiatal hernia (definition)? Readers Comments 77 Share Your Story Hiatal hernia can cause esophageal pain. The esophagus connects the throat to the stomach. It passes through the chest and enters the abdomen through a hole in the diaphragm called the esophageal hiatus. The term hiatal hernia describes a condition where the upper...
Helicobacter pylori cause chronic inflammation (gastritis) by invading the lining of the stomach and producing a cytotoxin termed vacuolating cytotoxin A (Vac-A) and thus can lead to ulcer formation.Source: iStock Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection facts <a href="../helicobacter_pylori/patient-comments-4823.htm" title="What's your biggest challenge with living with H. pylori infection?” onclick=”wmdTrack(‘pc-drv-rd’);” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow ugc”>Readers Comments 11 <a...