Introduction Gas symptoms occur daily as part of your normal digestive process. Belching, burping, and passing gas (flatulence) eliminates gas from your digestive tract. Excess gas can cause discomfort, pain, and bloating. Gas symptoms are produced by swallowed air and…

Introduction Gallbladder disease is caused by conditions that slow or block the flow of bile from the gallbladder. Bile is a fluid that breaks down fat during the digestive process. Inflammation or gallstones can block the bile flow. Gallstones are…

Introduction Bones are the hardest tissues in your body. Although bones are strong, they can split or break under too much pressure or force. A broken bone is called a fracture. Fractures can occur in a variety of ways. The…

Introduction Each year more than 76 million cases of food poisoning occur in the United States. Food poisoning occurs when contaminated food is eaten. There are many types of germs that can cause food poisoning. The majority of people with…

Introduction Many people have food intolerances, such as lactose intolerance with milk, but true food allergies only affect about 1% of all people. Food allergies are more common in children, and some children outgrow them. People with food allergies should…

Introduction The flu is a respiratory disease that affects the nose, throat, and lungs. The influenza virus type A, B, or C causes it. The flu is very contagious. Symptoms include fever, chills, body aches, cough, and a lack of…

Introduction A flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure that uses a sigmoidscope to view the inside lining of the rectum and lower section of the colon. A sigmoidscope is a thin tube that is about twenty inches long. It has a…

Introduction Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain and tender points on muscles. Although the exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, there appear to be several factors that may contribute to it. In addition to lifestyle changes and…

Introduction The female reproductive system matures in girls during puberty. It serves several functions, including hormone production, sexual intercourse, pregnancy, childbirth, menstruation, and menopause. The female reproductive system consists of internal organs and external genitalia. Back to Top Anatomy The…

Introduction Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is the inability to maintain an erection long enough to have sexual intercourse. It is normal for men to have trouble maintaining an erection from time to time. However, if it occurs more than 25% of…