Stomach

The stomach is a muscular, hollow, dilated part of the digestion system which functions as an important organ of the digestive tract in some animals, including vertebrates, echinoderms, insects (mid-gut), and molluscs. It is involved in the second phase of digestion, following mastication (chewing). The stomach is located between the esophagus and the small intestine. It secretes protein-digesting enzymes and strong acids to aid in food digestion, (sent to it via oesophageal peristalsis) through smooth muscular contortions (called segmentation) before sending partially digested food (chyme) to the small intestines.

alkalosis

Alkalosis is a condition in which the body fluids have excess base (alkali). This is the opposite of excess acid (acidosis). The kidneys and lungs maintain the proper balance of .....

Amoebiasis

Amoebiasis is an infection that affects the gastrointestinal tract of humans. Amoebiasis is a common infection caused by a parasite that infects the large intestines of humans. People at any .....

Diarrhea (Dysentery)

Diarrhea is a change in normal bowel habits characterized by frequent passage of loose, fluid stools. This is common with most gastrointestinal disturbances. Acute diarrhea is marked by a sudden .....

Food poison

Food poisoning, also called food-borne illness, is illness caused by eating contaminated food. Infectious organisms — including various bacteria, viruses and parasites — or their toxins are the most common .....

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a serious, life-threatening allergic reaction. The most common anaphylactic reactions are to foods, insect stings, medications and latex. If you are allergic to a substance, your immune system .....

Anorexia

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by immoderate food restriction and irrational fear of gaining weight, as well as a distorted body self-perception. It typically involves excessive weight loss .....

Antidote

An antidote is a substance which can counteract a form of poisoning. The antidotes for some particular toxins are manufactured by injecting the toxin into an animal in small doses .....

Worms

Intestinal worms or stomach worms are mostly found in the gastro-intestinal tract of a person, primarily on the intestinal wall. Intestinal worms mostly strike during the rainy season. Stomach worms .....

Filariasis

Filariasis is a disease group affecting humans and animals caused by nematode parasites of the order Filariidae, commonly called filariae. Filarial parasites may be classified according to the habitat of .....

Ascites

Ascites is the accumulation of fluid (usually serous fluid which is a pale yellow and clear fluid) in the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity. The abdominal cavity is located below the chest .....

Epigastric pain

Epigastric pain is pain that is localized to the region of the upper abdomen immediately below the ribs. Often, those who experience this type of pain feel it during or .....

Esophageal varices

Esophageal varices are abnormal, enlarged veins in the lower part of the esophagus — the tube that connects the throat and stomach. Esophageal varices occur most often in people with .....

Cholera

Cholera is an acute infectious disease caused by a bacterium, Vibrio cholerae (V. cholerae), which results in a painless, watery diarrhea in humans. Some affected individuals have copious amounts of .....

Mucous colitis

Mucous colitis is another name for the condition known as irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. Although people with IBS do sometimes produce mucousy stools, the term "colitis" has fallen out .....

Dehydration

Dehydration means your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe based on how much of the body's fluid .....

Gastric ulcer

A gastric ulcer is a break in the normal tissue that lines the stomach. Gastric ulcer, also known as peptic ulcer, is a localized area of erosion in the stomach .....

Dyspepsia

Dyspepsia, also known as indigestion or upset stomach, is a term that describes discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen. It is not a disease. Dyspepsia is a group of .....

Electrolyte imbalance

Electrolyte imbalances can be caused by a deficiency or an overabundance of minerals in the body. For example, hyperkalemia and hypercalcemia are indicative of excess amounts of potassium and calcium, .....

Esophagitis

Esophagitis is an inflammation of the lining of the esophagus, the tube that connects the throat to the stomach. If left untreated, this condition can become very uncomfortable, causing difficulty .....

Flatulence

Flatulence is the state of having excessive stomach or intestinal gas. This can result in uncomfortable feelings of bloating, as well as increased belching (burping) or passing of gas from .....

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is a condition that causes irritation and inflammation of the stomach and intestines (the gastrointestinal tract). An infection may be caused by bacteria or parasites in spoiled food or .....

Hiccup

Hiccups are sudden, involuntary contractions of the diaphragm muscle. As the muscle contracts repeatedly, the opening between the vocal cords snaps shut to check the inflow of air and makes .....

Infection in abdoman

An abdominal infection is an infection which occurs in the abdomen, the area of the body between the thorax and the pelvis. There are a number of causes of abdominal .....

Vomiting

Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of the contents of one's stomach through the mouth and sometimes the nose. Vomiting may result from many causes, ranging from gastritis or poisoning to .....

Steatorrhea

Steatorrhea is a condition where a substantial amount of fat is found in the feces. The presence of excess fat in feces means that malabsorption is occurring, where food is .....

Peritonitis

Peritonitis is a bacterial or fungal infection of the peritoneum, a silk-like membrane that lines your inner abdominal wall and covers the organs within your abdomen. Peritonitis can result from .....

Malabsorption

Malabsorption is a broad term used to describe the inability to absorb nutrients through the gut lining into the bloodstream. Malabsorption is not a disease by itself, but rather the .....