Nausea is the sensation of wanting to vomit and may or may not precede actual vomiting. In chronic nausea, vomiting may occur intermittently, especially when exacerbated by certain foods, motion, hunger or stress. Diagnosing the cause of chronic nausea depends on the identifying the onset of the nausea episode(s) as well >> Read More ...
What is a Sour Stomach? The term “sour stomach” is commonly used to describe a range of symptoms associated with upper gastrointestinal disturbances. The most notable symptoms attributed to a sour stomach include regurgitation, nausea, stomach bloating and excessive belching. These symptoms are often related to >> Read More ...
Stomach reflux is the regurgitation of the stomach contents into the esophagus. It is also known as acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux. The regurgitated contents are a combination of stomach secretions (acid + digestive enzymes + water + mucus) and recently ingested food and drink. In the chronic setting, stomach >> Read More ...
Stomach cramps is a general term used to describe mild discomfort (stomach ache) to pain (gastric pain) in the stomach. It is usually difficult to isolate the pain as originating from the stomach itself. Often any focal or diffuse abdominal pain is attributed to the stomach (refer to stomach location) but may arise from >> Read More ...
Vomiting is the process of expelling the upper gastrointestinal contents in a forceful manner. Also known as emesis, vomiting occurs when the nervous supply to the pharynx, esophagus, stomach and duodenum of the small intestine is overstimulated. This often occurs as a result of overdistention or irritation of these areas. >> Read More ...
What are Digestive Enzymes? Digestive enzymes are the chemical catalysts that break down food into simpler nutrients so that it can be absorbed. These enzymes make up a crucial part of the digestive process known as chemical digestion and acts along with mechanical digestion (chewing and churning) to allow for maximum >> Read More ...
What is hematemesis? Hematemesis (UK ~ haematemesis) is the medical term for the vomiting of blood either mixed with partially digested gastrointestinal contents and mucus or consisting entirely of blood. Blood in the vomit can vary in color from fresh and bright red to degraded maroon blood or even dark brown to black >> Read More ...
Intestinal chyme enters the colon from the small intestine through the ileocecal valve as discussed under intestinal motility. Within the colon, it undergoes the final stages of absorption and then the remaining waste material will be passed out as feces when appropriate. The colon therefore has two main functions – >> Read More ...
There are two main types of contractions that occur in the small intestine as well as other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. These movements are known as mixing contractions and propulsive contractions. While these contractions are categorized separately, both perform similar functions. Mixing movements mainly churns >> Read More ...
Pregnancy brings about many changes in a woman’s body and in the functioning of its various systems, including the gastrointestinal system. Changes in bowel movement, such as constipation is fairly common in pregnant women but occasionally diarrhea can occur for no known reason. Pregnant women may have a variation of >> Read More ...
