Digestive Health

Esophageal spasms occur when the muscles in the esophagus irregularly contract. This causes difficulty swallowing food or drink and can sometimes cause severe chest pain. The cause of esophageal spasms is unknown, but eating very hot or very cold foods... Full Answer

Whipple's disease is an extremely rare condition in which an infection prevents the intestine from properly absorbing nutrients. This disorder primarily affects middle-aged white men, and the onset of symptoms is usually slow. Without treatment, it may... Full Answer

Esophageal strictures are scarred areas that narrow the lumen (the channel through which food must pass). Strictures occur in patients who have had relatively severe esophagitis, brought on by long-term exposure to acid reflux. Full Answer

Fistulas must be carefully diagnosed to determine their exact internal location. A physician will usually use an anoscope, a small instrument used to view the anal canal. Sometimes exams will be performed in the operating room.If the fistula is complex... Full Answer

Gallbladder and biliary (bile duct) pain is usually described as severe steady pain that is located in the middle upper abdomen above the belly button (the epigastrium) and/or in the right upper quadrant. It lasts for 30 minutes or more, with pain-free... Full Answer

Breaking the itch-scratch-itch cycle can be very challenging. There is no quick and easy treatment. The anal area is sensitive and can easily become irritated and itchy.Even without realizing it, many people scratch at night. This makes the situation... Full Answer

Some people are born with a small abnormal area under the skin, which later can develop into a pilonidal cyst. In other cases, the cyst may develop from ingrown hairs between the buttocks.In most people, there is no definite way to tell whether the cyst... Full Answer

A pilonidal cyst is a lump under the skin that is located in the crease between the buttocks. It may cause an infection or abscess under the skin, near or above the tailbone, and may cause pain and swelling in the area. Sometimes, like a large pimple,... Full Answer

Proctitis refers to inflammation of the lining of the rectum. It can be caused by previous radiation therapy for various cancers, medications, infections or a limited form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It may cause the sensation that you... Full Answer

The most common cause for a rectocele is obstetric trauma. During a vaginal delivery, the connective tissue between the rectum and vagina can be torn, and then years after the vaginal delivery this weakness in connective tissue can form a hernia in which... Full Answer