Oral & Mouth Infections

mouth anatomy diagram

Good oral hygiene is critical to ensuring healthy teeth and gums, and maintaining fresh, clean breath. Brushing, flossing and good oral hygiene keep your mouth clean and your teeth strong. They also help minimize or eliminate oral infections and diseases such as: tooth decay periodontal disease toothaches and abscesses canker sores cold sores. But keep this in mind: regular oral hygiene is not just... Read more >

Esophageal Disorders

esophageal disorders anatomy

The esophagus is a tube of smooth muscle that transports food from the throat to the stomach. The esophagus starts immediately after the epiglottis, a tissue flap that prevents food from entering the lungs, and ends at the gastroesophageal junction, where the esophagus meets the stomach. The lower esophageal sphincter prevents acidic stomach contents from damaging the esophagus. Normally, a thick lining of... Read more >

Stomach Disorders

stomach disorders anatimy diagram

Stomach problems are an all too common facet of modern day living. Most of us at some time during our lifetime experience the discomfort of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or abdominal cramps, that are associated with a wide range of common stomach disorders. Stomach problems range from mild stomach upset and indigestion to more troublesome conditions such as peptic ulcers and stomach cancer, not to mention the odd... Read more >

Intestinal Disorders

intestinal disorders anatomy

Intestinal disorders can occur anywhere along the length of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus. The process of breaking down food begins in the mouth and continues in the stomach and small intestine. The small intestine is also where the body absorbs nutrients. The large intestine runs from the small intestine to the anus and is also responsible for the absorption of nutrients and... Read more >

Anorectal Problems

anorectal problems anatomy diagram

Anorectal problems range from mild cases of hemorrhoids to serious conditions such as fecal incontinence and inflammation of the rectum. People are often embarrassed to discuss anorectal problems with their health professional. As anorectal problems can be serious, overcoming this embarrassment can be important. The Anus and Rectum The anus is located at the end of the digestive system, and is approximately an... Read more >

Preventing Problems

preventing gi tract problems anatomy diagram

The gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) is a very long hollow tube that stretches from a person’s head to the end of their body. The GI tract’s purpose is to break down carbohydrates, proteins and fats.   The GI tract is a far-reaching system that includes parts of the: esophagus gallbladder large intestine liver mouth pancreas pharynx salivary glands small intestine stomach. Each... Read more >

Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosis

The process of diagnosing ulcerative colitis usually begins with a discussion of symptoms with the primary care physician. Other conditions can have symptoms similar to ulcerative colitis. A differential diagnosis—the ruling out of other diseases—occurs by conducting as many tests as are necessary to confirm a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. Flexible Sigmoidoscopy A procedure called flexible sigmoidoscopy... Read more >

IBS Medication

The most commonly prescribed IBS medications include: low-dose antidepressants to control abdominal nerve endings antispasmodics to control intestinal muscle spasm and abdominal pain musculotropic antispasmodics to relieve spasms in the smooth muscle cells and intestines medications that slow down the speed of food moving through the digestive system laxatives.IBS Medications by Symptom For... Read more >