What Is Peritoneum? The peritoneum (Greek peritonaion = stretched across) is an abdominal membrane consisting of two sheets: the parietal peritoneum (Latin parietalis = belonging to walls) that covers the inner side of the abdominal wall and the visceral peritoneum (Latin viscera = internal organs) that covers certain >> Read More ...
What Is Psyllium Fiber? Psyllium fiber is soluble dietary fiber, produced from the covering (husk) of seeds of Plantago ovata plant. When added to food and ingested, it absorbs water from the bowel, and thus makes the stool bulk and therefore easy to excrete. Psyllium Fiber Content 100 grams of Psyllium husk contains >> Read More ...
Normal Bowel Habit in a Newborn and Infant The main symptom of infant constipation is not a low bowel movement frequency but a hard stool consistency. Breastfed infants have stool of liquid or paste consistency from once after every feed to about once a week. Formula fed infants have stool of paste consistency once every >> Read More ...
The normal pattern for bowel movements varies among individuals. For some it is a daily occurrence, and often even several times in the day. For others it is less frequent and possibly not even daily. Normally bowel movements occur at least 3 or more times a week. Ideally it should occur at least once daily but if more >> Read More ...
From the time food passes into the throat, the alimentary tract takes over the process of moving the bolus (ball of food) or its digested remnants through the gut. The walls of the alimentary tract has muscular layers which contract and relax in a synchronized manner to achieve this transit. This process is known as >> Read More ...
Gastritis is the term for inflammation of the stomach. As a hollow sac, it is the walls of the stomach that are inflamed to varying degrees. This may sometimes be isolated to the superficial inner lining of the stomach (mucosa) or it can extend through the entire wall of the stomach. Persistent inflammation leads to >> Read More ...
What Is Bowel Obstruction? Bowel (intestinal) obstruction is a partial or complete mechanical blockage of the bowel. Typical symptoms are cramping abdominal pain, nausea, rumbling bowel sounds and cessation of gas. You can suspect bowel obstruction, if you have intestinal hernia, abdominal cancer, diverticulosis, other >> Read More ...
What Can Cause Pain Under the Left Ribs? Pain under the left rib cage can arise from any organ in the left upper abdomen or chest, spine, or the left ribs themselves. In otherwise healthy people, spleen irritation and gas built in the colon are main causes of pain under the lower left ribs. Pain can be also >> Read More ...
What Are Fiber Supplements? Fiber supplements contain dietary fiber or synthesized fiber-like substances that increase bulk of the stool. They mostly contain indigestible carbohydrates. Several types and brands exist. They are available over the counter (OTC) in various forms, including powder, >> Read More ...
The human gut, also referred to as the alimentary tract, is a long hollow organ that extends from the mouth to the anus. The longest part of the alimentary tract lies between the stomach and anus – it is known as the intestines or bowel. Broadly, the intestines are made up of the small intestine and large intestine >> Read More ...
