For centuries, human beings only had products of natural origin, whether vegetable, mineral or animal, to make medicines. Many of these medicines had no effect, others worked somewhat, and others caused too many adverse effects, so that as technology advanced, human beings considered improving the therapeutic arsenal available to them using chemical synthesis. The 20th…
Though we all get stomachaches from time to time, pain isn’t typically an early symptom of stomach cancer. So, what should you be on the lookout for instead? General surgeon Daniel Joyce, MBBCh, shares what symptoms you might experience and when to see a doctor. What is stomach cancer? Stomach cancer, also known as gastric…
It’s that feeling you wish you’d never had. You’re suddenly queasy. Your digestive system shifts violently into reverse. And that meal you just ate comes back to see the light of day. Vomiting is definitely not fun. But it has a purpose. “Vomiting is a reflex that allows the body to rid itself of ingested…
Q: How long does it take for cancer to form on a colon polyp? A: Time is on your side when it comes to colorectal cancer forming in a polyp. The process is estimated to take 10 years — a period that leaves ample opportunity for early discovery and treatment. We’ll get to the detection…
If you have hemorrhoids, you have plenty of treatment options at your disposal. But if you have hemorrhoids, you’d probably advise others to avoid getting them in the first place. Hemorrhoids — swollen, inflamed venous cushions in your anal canal — can be occasionally painful and itchy and can cause bleeding. But it’s possible to avoid these…
Whether you call it farting, passing wind, having gas or flatulence (the official medical term), the release of excess air through the intestinal tract is both normal and natural. Why, then, are farts the butt of so many jokes? Perhaps, because of those awkward moments when the body’s internal horn section suddenly plays a little too loudly —…
When you’re focused on losing or maintaining weight, you get plenty of advice about carbs. For instance, some carbs — like beans and legumes, fruits, whole-grain products and vegetables — contain vitamins, minerals and fiber that help fuel your body. And they’re less likely to cause spikes in your blood sugar, which can give you…
When it comes to staying healthy and providing your body with the necessary nutrients and vitamins needed, you probably haven’t given too much thought to the actual act of swallowing. But delivering food and fluids from your mouth to your digestive system is a complex task. The act of swallowing involves many different nerves and…
“Bitter” isn’t typically a glowing descriptor, but the benefits of digestive bitters might make you reconsider the word. Long used in traditional Chinese medicine, it’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like: tinctures (a medical substance in an alcohol carrier) of bitter herbs said to aid and improve your digestion. You may already be familiar…
There’s nothing like the smell of smoked meats in the summer. If you’ve ever stepped outside and breathed in the aroma of a neighbor firing up the wood smoker, you know how mouth-watering the simple thought of such a meal can be — not to mention the taste. But back away from the brisket and…
Colorectal cancer is any cancer that happens in your large intestines, including your colon and your rectum. According to the American Cancer Society, it’s the third-most-common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. In the last few decades, though, the number of colorectal cancer-related deaths has actually been dropping. One reason for…
No one likes feeling sick to their stomach, especially when you just finished a really good meal. But if you’re feeling nauseated within minutes or hours after eating, there may be something going on underneath the surface. Gastroenterologist Christine Lee, MD, helps us nail down some of the reasons behind why nausea happens after eating…