• Apples and Applesauce

• Avocados (though they do have some fat)

• Bananas

• Barley

• Beets

• Broccoli

• Cabbage

• Carrots

• Chestnuts

• Corn meal

• Flour tortillas

• Kidney beans

• Lima beans

• Mangoes

• Mushrooms

• Noodles

• Oatmeal

• Papayas (also digestive aids that relieve gas and indigestion)

• Parsnips

• Pasta

• Peaches

• Potatoes

• Quinoa

• Rice

• Rice cereals

• Rutabagas

• Soy

• Spinach

• Squash and pumpkins

• Sweet potatoes

• Turnips

• White breads that are high quality and preservative-free, such as French bread and sourdough. Don’t eat whole wheat or whole grain bread.

• Yams

No related posts.

• Alcohol is a gastrointestinal irritant and often triggers IBS attacks, especially on an empty stomach. Small amounts of alcohol in cooking are fine

• Artificial fats, such as Olestra, can cause abdominal cramping and diarrhea in people who don’t even have IBS

• Artificial sweeteners, such as sorbitol, can trigger pain, cramps, gas, bloating, and diarrhea

• Battered and deep-fried food

• Biscuits

• Caffeine is a gastrointestinal stimulant and should be avoided, especially in higher doses

• Carbonation in soda pop and mineral water can cause bloating and cramps

• Chocolate

• Coconut milk

• Coffee: regular and decaf coffee contain an enzyme that is a powerful irritant of the gastrointestinal tract

• Cookies

• Corn chips and nachos – unless they are baked

• Crackers

• Croissants, pastries, biscuits, scones, and doughnuts

• Dairy products such as cheese, butter, sour cream, cream cheese, milk, cream, ice cream, whipped cream, yogurt, frozen yogurt

• Doughnuts

• Dried bananas – they are often deep fried in oil

• Egg yolks (whites are fine, do try to buy organic)

• French fries

• French toast

• Fried chicken

• Hot dogs / Corn dogs

• Margarine

• Mashed potatoes which have butter / milk

• Mayonnaise

• MSG used a lot in Chinese food. MSG has been implicated as a cause or trigger of various digestive issues

• Nuts and nut butters

• Oils, fats, spreads, etc

• Olives

• Onion rings

• Pancakes

• Pastries

• Pie crust

• Potato chips – unless they are baked

• Poultry dark meat and skin. Skinless chicken white meat is fine

• Red meat, such as ground beef, hamburgers, hot dogs, steaks, roast beef, pastrami, salami, bologna, pepperoni, corned beef, ham, bacon, sausage, pork chops, and any other meat that comes from cows, pigs, sheep, goats, deer, etc

• Salad dressings

• Scones

• Shortening

• Shredded coconut

• Skillet-fried food that is cooked in fat or oil

• Solid carob – but carob powder is OK

• Solid chocolate – but baking cocoa powder is OK

• Tartar sauce

• Waffles

• Wheat, rye, barley or other foods containing gluten

Related posts:

1. Lactose Intolerance

• Abdominal pain or cramping.

• A bloated feeling.

• Gas (flatulence).

• Darrhea, constipation, or a combination of both. In fact, people with IBS may also experience alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea. Some people with IBS report having both constipation and diarrhea in the same day. Diarrhea often occurs after eating or first thing in the morning.

• A sense of incomplete bowel movement.

• Mucus in the stool.

In addition, other symptoms of IBS can include nausea, headaches, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating.

For most people, the signs and symptoms of IBS are mild, and many people don’t even realize that they are suffering from this condition. Fewer than half of the people suffering from IBS seek medical advice. Only a small percentage of people have severe signs and symptoms. During times when the symptoms are severe, IBS can cause a lot of pain and be quite disabling. IBS symptoms can range in severity from an occasional mild episode to a debilitating, life altering illness, which prevents the individual from working or from functioning normally.

The signs and symptoms of IBS can vary widely from person to person. The symptoms may also be quite intermittent, meaning that they may come and go, causing a lot of discomfort and pain at some times, and conversely relatively little discomfort and pain at other times. Sometimes people find that their symptoms subside for a few weeks or months and then return, while others report a gradual worsening of their symptoms over time.

In some cases, people may have severe signs and symptoms that respond well to medical treatment, while other people’s symptoms may not respond at all well to medical treatment.

Because IBS-like symptoms can be caused by other diseases, including a range of potentially serious and life-threatening diseases such as Ulcerative Colitis, Colorectal Cancers and Crohn’s Disease, it is best to discuss any possible IBS-like symptoms with your doctor as soon as possible.

Your doctor may be able to help you find ways to relieve symptoms as well as either begin treatment or rule out other more serious colon conditions. Your doctor can also help you avoid possible complications from problems, such as chronic diarrhea.

If you have a persistent change in bowel habits or if you have any symptoms of IBS, then seek medical advice.

Please Note: Bleeding, weight loss, fever, and constant acute pain are not symptoms of IBS and may indicate the presence of other problems or health issues, such as inflammation, or more rarely, cancer. As always, if you are at all concerned about your medical condition, consult a doctor.

Related posts:

1. What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
2. Hemorrhoids And Bowel Disorders
3. Colorectal Cancer Symptoms

As its name indicates, Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a syndrome. That is, IBS is a combination of signs and symptoms, but not a disease. IBS is classified as a functional disorder. A functional disorder refers to a condition where the primary abnormality is an altered physiological function (the way the body works), rather than an identifiable inflammatory, infectious, structural, or biochemical cause.
Research also indicates that IBS is a multi-faceted disorder. For example, the symptoms of IBS result from what seems to be a disturbance or imbalance in the interaction between the intestines, the brain, sensory function, and the autonomic nervous system that alters regulation of bowel motility (motor function).

While IBS will probably recur throughout your life, and may also cause you a lot of pain and discomfort, there is some good news. The symptoms of IBS will probably not get much worse after the first year. In fact, as you learn to manage the symptoms, you will hopefully attain a more comfortable life. In addition, IBS does not cause cancer or permanent damage to the bowel. IBS does not cause intestinal bleeding. Finally, IBS does not require surgery, and it won’t shorten your life.

In the western world, Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a very common condition, affecting 15% to 20% of the population, and accounting for approximately 10% of all doctor visits and 50% of all visits to gastroenterologists.

Two thirds of the patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome are women. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is the second biggest cause for people taking “sick days”.

For most people, the signs and symptoms of IBS are mild. Only a small percentage of people have severe signs and symptoms, so there are many people who don’t even realize that they are suffering from this condition. However, the symptoms of IBS range in severity from an occasional mild episode to a debilitating, life altering illness, which prevents the individual from working or from functioning normally. During times when the symptoms are severe, IBS can cause a lot of pain and be quite disabling.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is also know under various other names, such as:

• colitis
• irritable colon
• mucous colitis
• nervous stomach
• spastic bowel
• spastic colon

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not as serious as some intestinal diseases such as Ulcerative Colitis, Colorectal Cancers and Crohn’s Disease. For example, Irritable Bowel Syndrome does not permanently damage the intestines, nor does it cause inflammation or changes in bowel tissue or increase your risk of colon or rectal cancer.

In many cases, the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be controlled by managing your diet, lifestyle, and stress.

Related posts:

1. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
2. Symptoms of IBS
3. Hemorrhoids And Bowel Disorders

The digestive system consists of the Alimentary Canal and various other organs of the body whose function is to support the digestive system.

The Alimentary Canal consists of the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (also called the colon and bowel), rectum, and anus. Amongst the organs whose function is to support the digestive system are the gallbladder, liver, and pancreas.

We can therefore define digestive system disorders as being any medical condition or health complaint that afflicts the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (also called the colon and bowel), rectum, anus, gallbladder, liver, and/or pancreas.

Because there are so many parts of the body are included in this list, there are a very large number of digestive system disorders that can be included in this list.

Each organ of the digestive system and each section of the Alimentary Canal has specific and important roles to play in the digestion of the material we ingest. The loss of function of any of the sections of the Alimentary Canal or any of the support organs can cause serious health issues and complications, and even death.

Digestive system disorders may be classified into the following eight main categories:

Hemorrhoids And Bowel Disorders

Celiac Disease And Other Intestinal Disorders

Colon Cancer And Other Digestive Cancers

Esophagus Disorders

Gallbladder And Pancreas Disorders

Hernia

Liver Disease

Stomach Disorders

Please click on the appropriate link for more detailed information on each particular digestive system disorder.

Related posts:

1. What Is The Digestive System

The digestive system consists of the Alimentary Canal and various other organs whose primary function is to support the digestive system.

The Alimentary Canal is a long tube about 10 meters long, which begins at the mouth and ends at the anus. This tube consists of multiple sections which each have their own specific functions to perform in the process of digestion.

The sections of the Alimentary Canal in the order in which they process food are as follows:

Mouth
The teeth in the mouth help to physically crush and break up the food into smaller pieces to increase their surface area so that it can be processed in later stages of digestion. Also, saliva helps to soften food to make it easier to process, and also begins chemically breaking down the food so that it can be processed in later stages of digestion. The tongue helps to mix the crushed food with saliva.

Throat
The act of swallowing pushes the food from the mouth to the esophagus.

Esophagus (also called Oesophagus)
The Esophagus is a 10-inch long tube that connects the throat and stomach. Muscles in the wall of the esophagus contract in synchronized waves, called peristalsis, where the muscles behind the food contract, squeezing it forward, while muscles ahead of it relax, forcing it to advance towards the stomach.

Stomach
Powerful stomach muscles churn and mix the food, while glands in the walls of the stomach secrete acids and enzymes which chemically break down the food into very small particles and molecules, so that these can be processed in later stages of digestion.

Small Intestine
In the upper section of the small intestine, which is called the Duodenum, bile and pancreatic digestive juices mix with other juices secreted by the wall of the small intestine to continue the break down of food.

The food then enters the Ileum, the longest section of the small intestine, where nutrients are absorbed through the wall of the small intestine and transferred around the body via the blood stream (Circulatory System), to nourish and provide energy to all of the cells and organs of the body. This allows them to grow, repair, and perform the functions necessary to maintain life and fight disease, as well as allowing us to be able to move, think, breath, see, hear, and so on.

Large Intestine (also called the Colon and Bowel)
In the large intestine, nearly all of the water is absorbed, leaving a usually soft but formed substance called stool. Muscles in the wall of your colon separate the waste into small segments that are pushed into your lower colon and rectum.

Rectum
The Rectum provides a temporary storage place for the waste products of digestion. When the rectal walls are stretched, they signal the need for a bowel movement.

Anus
The powerful sphincter muscles in the Anus prevent the release of waste products from the Rectum until the person is ready to expel them from the body.

Various other organs in the body perform functions that are important to digestion or support digestion, and these organs include:

Gallbladder
The Gallbladder stores and concentrates bile, and then adds it to food as it enters the Duodenum, the upper portion of the small intestine.

Liver
The liver performs hundreds of useful functions, including nutrient storage, filtering and processing of chemicals contained in food, detoxifying harmful substances, purifying your blood, manufacturing vital nutrients, and producing bile, a solution that helps digest fats and eliminate waste products from the body.

Bile, a fluid secreted by the liver, is essential for the proper digestion of fats and for helping the body to rid itself of worn out red blood cells, cholesterol, and potentially toxic chemicals and metals. The liver is responsible for detoxifying harmful substances that a person may eat, drink, inhale, rub on their skin, or which enter the body in some other way.

Pancreas
The pancreas plays important roles in both digestion and metabolism, and is a large, long, flat gland which is located behind the lower part of the stomach and inbetween the duodenum (the upper part of the small intestine) and the spleen. Amongst other functions, the Pancreas produces digestive enzymes that help break down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

As a result of the digestive system, the body is able to extract nutrients from food and drink, and use these for growth, repair, and the maintenance of life; and process and discard waste products from the body as faeces (also called stools).

Each organ of the Digestive System and each section of the Alimentary Canal has specific and important roles to play in the digestion of the material we ingest.

The healthy transit time of food through a healthy human adult body (from mouth to anus) is less than 24 hours. However, recent research has shown that this time has been greatly extended beyond what is considered safe or healthy, particularly in the Western world, where the average is approximately 60 hours for men, and 70 hours for women. The reason for this is because of diet and lifestyle factors.

As a result, food is remaining in the body longer (almost 3 times as long as it should be), and taking longer to process, and this can elevate the risk of a range of health complications, such as constipation, digestive problems, bowel problems, and even bowel cancer.

Related posts:

1. Digestive System Facts
2. How The Digestive System Works
3. What Are Digestive System Disorders?

Eating (and drinking) are the taking in (swallowing) of food and other nourishing material by the body. That is, eating is the range of processes by which an organism takes in food.

Digestion is the process by which the materials we eat, such as food and drink, is broken down – into nutrients that can be absorbed and used by the body, and waste products are expelled from the body.

None of the food that we eat or the liquids that we drink can actually be used by the body in the forms in which we consume them.

Foods and liquids need to be broken down into very small particles and molecules, so that they can be absorbed and used by the body.

Digestion is a process that is both mechanical and chemical.

For example, teeth in the mouth help to physically crush and break-up the food into smaller pieces to increase their surface area in order that it can be processed chemically in later stages of digestion. The stomach secretes acids and enzymes which chemically break the food down into very small particles and molecules, so that these can be processed in later stages of digestion.

Food is made up of various different types and concentrations of nutrients that determine how nutritious our food is. These nutrients include carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, vitamins, and water.

Food may also contain material that cannot be digested by the body, such as fiber. Diets rich in fiber have a number of very significant health benefits, including decreased risks of coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and bowel and Colon issues.

The collection and elimination of waste products from the body is an important part of digestion. Undigested and undigestible parts of food, dead cells from the lining of digestive tract, and some water, are eliminated from the body as faeces (also called stools).

Maintaining a healthy Digestive System is extremely important for your general health and well-being.

Related posts:

1. What Is The Digestive System
2. Digestive System Facts

A range of techniques can help you to reduce your risk of developing a Digestive System Disorder. These techniques fall into the following broad categories:

• Dietary, Exercise, and Life Style Guidelines
• Self Care Techniques

Both of these categories are discussed below.

Dietary, Exercise, and Life Style Guidelines

A person can reduce their risks of developing a range of Digestive System Disorders, and add many more years of healthy, active time to their life span, by:

• Avoiding and taking precautions against disease, such as being properly vaccinated and seeking early diagnosis and treatment if you suspect health problems.

• Eating a healthy, high fiber diet including lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, while avoiding processed foods, fast foods, and foods that are high in salt, sugar, and/or fat.

• Avoiding health hazards, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and drug abuse. Smoking also increases acid reflux and reduces saliva production. Saliva helps protect your Esophagus from Stomach acid.

• Maintaining a positive mental attitude and keep active, especially during your retirement.

• Ensuring that you get enough quality sleep each night.

• Taking steps to reduce the stress in your life. Digestion slows during periods of stress, and this can cause or exacerbate digestive system disorders, such as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga, can help may help reduce stress.

• Incorporating at least 30 minutes of physical activity into your daily routine.

• Maintaining a healthy body weight. Slimming down helps reduce the pressure on your Stomach, and this act alone can help relieve a range of Digestive System Disorders.

Self Care Techniques

In addition to the above dietary, exercise, and lifestyle guidelines, a range of self care techniques can also help you maintain a healthy digestive system.

The following self care techniques can help you reduce your risk of developing a range of digestive system disorders:

• Eat Small Meals – eat small meals regularly throughout the day, rather than a single large meal. Large meals can stretch and bloat your stomach, causing enormous stress on your digestive system.

• Avoid Problem Foods – avoid or moderate your consumption of alcohol, caffeinated drinks, chocolate, spicy foods, acidic foods (such as citrus fruits and tomato-based foods), onions, peppermint, and spearmint, all of which can inflame parts of the digestive tract and also increase production of stomach acid, leading to irritation and/or inflammation of parts of the digestive tract.

• Limit fatty foods – fatty foods relax the lower esophageal sphincter and slow stomach emptying, which increases the amount of time that acid can back up into your esophagus.

• Eating Habits – sit up after you eat, and wait at least three hours before going to bed or taking a nap to allow food to progress from the stomach to the small intestine.

• Avoid exercise immediately after eating, especially avoid strenuous or high impact activity. Try to wait at least two to three hours before you engage in any strenuous activity. Low-impact exercise, such as walking, is fine.

• Elevate the head of your bed even by just 6 inches, as this can gravity to prevent Stomach acid from moving up into your Esophagus as you sleep. A foam wedge under the mattress can also do the required elevation. However, don’t try to use extra pillows, as this will place more pressure on your abdomen.

• Avoid tight fitting clothes such as belts, pants, and so on because they put pressure on your Stomach and restrict digestion.

• Avoid certain medications (if possible) which may cause or exacerbate heart burn and gastric reflux, such as:

o Alendronate
o Calcium channel blockers
o Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium
o Quinidine
o Sedatives and tranquilizers
o Tetracycline (antibiotic)
o Theophylline

• Avoid Trauma – avoid activities and sports that may cause damage to your body, especially your abdominal area in the case of Digestive System Disorders, or else wear suitable protective clothing to prevent damage and injuries.

No related posts.

Stomach Disorders include any health complaints or medical conditions that originate in or afflict the Stomach. The Stomach consists of powerful muscles whose function is to churn and mix the food, while glands in the walls of the stomach secrete acids and enzymes which chemically break down the food into very small particles and molecules, in order that these can be processed in the later stages of digestion. The stomach is absolutely essential to digestion, and any loss of function of can result in dire health consequences.

The following conditions are included within stomach disorders:

Dumping Syndrome
Dumping Syndrome (also called Rapid Gastric Emptying) is a term that is used to describe the symptoms which may develop in people who have had surgery to remove all or part of their stomach, or people who have had part or most of their stomach bypassed to help lose weight.

Dumping Syndrome occurs when the undigested and unprocessed contents of the stomach are transported or “dumped” into the small intestine too soon for it to be able to properly deal with the material. Ranging from mild to severe, the symptoms of Dumping Syndrome appear within a few hours of eating and include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lightheadedness, belching, bloating, fatigue, and even heart palpitations and increased heart rate.

Gastritis
Gastritis is a term used to describe a group of related medical conditions characterized by inflammation of the stomach lining, which may be caused by bacterial infection, stomach ulcers, traumatic injury, the use or overuse of certain medications such as pain relievers, and other causes. The condition may have a sudden onset (Acute Gastritis), or it may develop slowly over a period of time (Chronic Gastritis).

The main symptoms of Gastritis include a burning pain in the upper abdomen, and sometimes bloating, belching, nausea, and/or vomiting. Depending on the cause of the condition, dietary and life style changes may be sufficient to treat the condition. If not, otherwise a range of medications such as antacids and acid blockers can help.

Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is a condition in which stomach muscles don’t function properly which prevents the stomach from fully emptying its contents into the small intestine. This condition can interfere with digestion, play havoc with blood sugar levels, cause problems with nutrition, and also cause nausea, vomiting, heartburn, abdominal pain, and unintentional weight loss.

Gastroparesis is currently incurable, however the impact of the condition can be greatly reduced with a range of treatments. These include dietary and life style changes, medications that increase stomach contractions, and also any treatments required for other conditions caused by the condition, such as Diabetes.

H. Pylori Infection
H. Pylori Infection occurs when conditions in the stomach or the first part of the small intestine allow the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) to increase in numbers well beyond the levels in which it is normally found. The increase in Helicobacter pylori numbers can cause inflammation of the lining of the stomach and even stomach ulcers, and may also contribute towards stomach cancers and other digestive system cancers (see Colon Cancer And Other Digestive Cancers for more details).

The main symptoms of H. Pylori Infection include abdominal pain or burning, loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, excessive burping, bloating, bloody vomit, and bloody or black tarry stools. Antibiotics are used to reduce H. pylori bacteria back to safe levels.

Nonulcer Stomach Pain
Nonulcer Stomach Pain (formerly called Nonulcer Dyspepsia) is a fairly common and sometimes long lasting (chronic) gnawing upper abdominal pain that isn’t caused by ulcers or other digestive problems. Nonulcer Stomach Pain is a disorder of the upper gastrointestinal system, which includes the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine (duodenum).

The symptoms of this condition are similar to those of peptic ulcers and include pain and discomfort in the upper abdomen, bloating, belching, nausea, and flatulence.

Peptic Ulcer
Peptic Ulcers are open sores on the lining of the esophagus, stomach or small intestine (duodenum). At one time doctors used to believe that Peptic Ulcers were caused by stress or eating too much spicy food, but they now know that the condition is instead caused by bacterial infection, the use or overuse of some medications, and the reflux of stomach acid back up into the esophagus.

The symptoms caused by Peptic Ulcers include pain and discomfort in the upper abdomen, bloating, belching, nausea, and flatulence, but may also include chest pain, unexpected weight loss, dark, tarry stools, and vomiting of black fluid. Peptic Ulcers are fairly common, and are usually treated with a range of medications that include antibiotics, acid blockers, and antacids.

Stomach Polyps
Stomach Polyps are small clumps of cells that form on the lining of the stomach. There are three main types of stomach polyps: Hyperplastic Stomach Polyps, Fundic Gland Stomach Polyps, and Adenomas.

Stomach Polyps are very rare and usually do not cause any symptoms or ill effects. As a result, doctors usually only discover them when testing for other conditions. In some rare cases, stomach polyps can develop into cancer.

Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome is a very rare and complex condition in which one or more tumors form in the pancreas or duodenum (the upper part of the small intestine). The tumors are called gastrinomas because they secrete large amounts of the hormone gastrin, which in turn causes excessive Stomach acid production. This excess acid can cause peptic ulcers.

The main symptoms of Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome include a burning, aching, gnawing discomfort in the upper abdomen, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, bleeding, and weight loss.

Related posts:

1. Stomach Ulcers
2. Gallbladder And Pancreas Disorders
3. Stomach Cancer Symptoms and Treatment

Liver Disease includes any medical condition or health complaint that afflicts or originates in the liver.

The liver performs hundreds of useful functions, amongst them are nutrient storage, the filtering and processing of chemicals contained in food, detoxifying harmful substances, purifying your blood, manufacturing vital nutrients, and the production of bile, a solution that helps digest fats and eliminate waste products from the body.

Bile, a fluid secreted by the Liver, is essential for the proper digestion of fats and helping the body rid itself of worn out red blood cells, cholesterol, and potentially toxic chemicals and metals.

The liver is essential to digestion, and any loss of function of can cause very serious health consequences.

When there is a loss of function in the liver, the symptoms generally include abdominal pain, nausea, fever, confusion, fatigue, vomiting, jaundice (which is a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes), abdominal swelling due to fluid accumulation (ascites), unintended weight loss, and/or loss of appetite.

A number of factors such as alcohol, certain drugs, and viral infections can cause serious liver disease, which is called hepatitis. This condition and others are explored below.

Alcoholic Hepatitis
Alcoholic Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver, which is often caused by excessive and/or prolonged alcohol consumption. The damage caused to the liver as a result of Alcoholic Hepatitis can be reversed by abstaining from consuming alcohol and other substances that may harm the liver.

For people who continue to consume alcohol, the condition is likely to progress to scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) and liver failure, either of which can be fatal unless a liver transplant can occur in time.

The main symptoms of Alcoholic Hepatitis include abdominal pain, nausea, fever, confusion, fatigue, vomiting, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes), abdominal swelling due to fluid accumulation (ascites), unintended weight loss, and/or the loss of appetite.

Autoimmune Hepatitis
Autoimmune Hepatitis occurs when the body’s own immune system attacks the liver. Exactly why this happens isn’t clear, but it is believed to occur when some diseases, toxins, and drugs trigger the immune response in susceptible people, especially women.

If left untreated, Autoimmune Hepatitis can cause scarring of the Liver (cirrhosis) and eventually lead to liver failure. However, when diagnosed and treated early, Autoimmune Hepatitis can usually be controlled with the long term use of immune system suppression drugs. Should these drugs not prove to be effective then a liver transplant may be required.

The main symptoms of Autoimmune Hepatitis include abdominal pain, nausea, confusion, itching, vomiting, joint ache, jaundice, and abdominal swelling due to fluid accumulation (ascites) amongst other symptoms.

Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a condition that causes irreversible scarring of the liver. When this happens, scar tissue replaces normal tissue, blood flow through the liver is reduced, and it becomes increasingly difficult for the liver to carry out the essential functions it is supposed to perform.

Cirrhosis is most commonly caused by excessive alcohol use and chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus, but it may also be caused by immune system issues, damaged bile ducts, and/or prolonged exposure to various environmental toxins.

In its early stages, Cirrhosis rarely causes signs or symptoms. However, as the liver function deteriorates, the symptoms include fatigue, nausea, unintended weight loss, swelling in the legs and abdomen, and in later stages jaundice, itching, and bleeding from your digestive system that can be severe.

Liver damage caused by cirrhosis is both permanent and irreversible, however the disease usually progresses slowly and the symptoms it causes are usually controllable. Specific treatment for the disease depends upon the underlying cause.

People with cirrhosis must avoid alcohol and any other substances that can harm the liver. If the liver function becomes seriously impaired, a liver transplant may be the only option. Cirrhosis can be fatal if not treated in time.

Enlarged Liver
An Enlarged Liver (also called Hepatomegaly) whilst not a disease is the sign of an underlying medical condition such as hepatitis, congestive heart failure, or cancer. Treatment options depends on the underlying cause.

There normally aren’t any specific symptoms associated with an enlarged liver, but there may be for the underlying cause. In addition, abdominal tenderness and jaundice may occur if the liver becomes so large that function is affected.

Gilbert’s Syndrome
Gilbert’s Syndrome (also known as Constitutional Hepatic Dysfunction, Unconjugated Benign Bilirubinemia, and Familial Nonhemolytic Jaundice) is a common but mild disorder in which the liver cannot properly process bilirubin, a substance which is produced by the breakdown of red blood cells.

Gilbert’s Syndrome doesn’t usually require treatment, nor does it usually pose any serious health issues, and the only symptom it may cause is mild jaundice. For these reasons, Gilbert’s Syndrome is not usually considered a disease at all.

Hereditary Hemochromatosis
Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HH) is a genetic defect that causes your body to absorb too much iron from the food you eat, leading to excessively high levels of iron in various organs, especially the liver, heart, and pancreas.

The symptoms of HH include abdominal pain, joint pain, fatigue, and impotence. Over time, such high levels of iron can cause damage to organs and lead to a range of life-threatening conditions which include cancer, heart problems, and liver disease, each causing their own symptoms.

The condition can be treated by removing blood from your body to lower the level of iron.

Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), which can be contracted by consuming contaminated food or water, or from close contact with someone who is infected. Hepatitis A is usually not as serious as other types of viral hepatitis, but it can cause liver inflammation that affects your liver function.

Some infected people never develop symptoms of the disease, but in other cases, the symptoms can be similar to those of flu.

Mild cases of Hepatitis A require no treatment and pose no long term risk to the liver, however, a vaccine is available for those at risk. Practicing good hygiene, such as washing your hands properly, is the best way to protect yourself against Hepatitis A.

Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which can be contracted by contact with infected blood and body fluids, for example as the result of an infected blood transfusion, having unprotected sex, or when intravenous (IV) drug users share needles. Pregnant women infected with HBV can pass the infection onto their babies during childbirth.

Hepatitis B can cause very serious and potentially fatal health complications including liver failure, liver cancer, and cirrhosis. No cure for the disease exists, but vaccination can prevent the disease.

The symptoms of Hepatitis B include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, unintended weight loss, abdominal pain, dark urine, joint pain, and jaundice.

Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is generally considered to be the most serious of all the hepatitis virus infections. Hepatitis C is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which can be contracted by contact with infected blood, for example as the result of an infected blood transfusion, or when intravenous (IV) drug users share needles.

HCV is particularly dangerous because those infected show no visible symptoms until serious and irreversible liver damage occurs, decades after they were infected.

In the early stages, Hepatitis C causes symptoms like slight fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, muscle and joint pain, and abdominal tenderness. However, in later stages – decades after infection – Hepatitis C can cause more serious versions of these symptoms, as well as fever and jaundice.

Hepatitis D, E, and G
Hepatitis D, E, and G are other forms of the hepatitis virus that can cause the liver to become inflamed and reduce its ability to function.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a term used to describe a range of conditions that afflict people who consume little or no alcohol, and is most common in middle-aged overweight people who may also have diabetes and high cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

The mildest of these conditions is steatosis, a condition that usually causes no liver damage, that occurs when fat accumulates in the liver.

Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) is more serious and is associated with potentially damaging inflammation of the liver and sometimes the formation of fibrous tissue in the liver. NASH can in some cases progress to cirrhosis or to liver cancer.

In its early stages, NAFLD causes only mild symptoms such as fatigue and slight abdominal pain, if any. In later stages, NAFLD can cause fatigue, nausea, fatigue, weakness, unintended weight loss, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, dark urine, confusion, memory loss, itching, swelling in the legs and feet, enlarged veins (which may exhibit as small red spider veins under the skin or bleeding from the digestive tract), and jaundice.

The main treatments for NAFLD include dietary and life style changes, to promote exercise, weight loss, diabetes control, and the administering of cholesterol-lowering medications.

Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
Primary Biliary Cirrhosis is a disease which slowly destroys the liver’s bile ducts, reducing the ability of the liver to transport bile, a fluid essential for digestion and the removal of harmful substances from the body. The slow destruction of the bile ducts allows harmful substances to build up in the liver and can also cause cirrhosis.

The exact cause of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis has not as yet been determined, but genetic, environmental, and autoimmune factors are suspected.

In the early stages, this condition causes fatigue, itching, and dry eyes and mouth (sicca syndrome). In later stages, the disease causes jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes), hyperpigmentation (dark skin), edema (swollen feet), ascites (swollen abdomen), xanthomas (cholesterol deposits), digestive problems, and Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs).

The condition is currently incurable, but the symptoms can be alleviated and complications prevented with medications and treatment.

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis is a disease that causes inflammation, hardening and scaring of the bile ducts inside and outside the liver, thus impeding the flow of bile through the ducts and reducing the liver’s ability to function properly. The condition is also often associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. The exact cause of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis has not been determined, but autoimmune factors are suspected.

The symptoms include abdominal pain, fatigue, nausea, itchiness, and jaundice.

The disease progresses slowly, and leads to liver disease and failure. Various medications can improve the symptoms, but a liver transplant is the only cure for this condition.

Toxic Hepatitis
Toxic Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver that occurs when your liver is damaged by toxic chemicals, drugs, or certain other poisonous chemicals that may enter the body.

In some cases, Toxic Hepatitis may develop within hours or days of exposure to a toxin, but in other cases it may take months for symptoms to appear. Toxic Hepatitis can permanently damage the liver, and potentially cause cirrhosis and liver failure.

The main symptoms of Toxic Hepatitis include abdominal pain, nausea, fever, confusion, fatigue, vomiting, jaundice, dark urine, and unintended weight loss and/or loss of appetite.

Wilson’s Disease
Wilson’s Disease is an inherited disorder that causes excess copper to accumulate in the liver, brain, and other vital organs.

Normally copper, which plays a key role in the development of healthy nerves, bones and skin to name but a few, is absorbed from the food we eat, and any excess is excreted through bile, an essential digestive fluid produced in the liver. However, sufferers of Wilson’s Disease cannot eliminate excess copper, and instead it accumulates over years to life threatening levels.

People with Wilson’s Disease are born with the condition, although symptoms may not occur until the age of 30 or even later.

If left untreated, Wilson’s Disease is fatal. However, when diagnosed early, Wilson’s Disease is treatable, allowing sufferers to live normal lives.

The symptoms of Wilson’s Disease are very wide reaching and can include problems with the liver, eyes, kidneys and bones, as well as various neurological problems, behavioral problems, and psychological problems.

Related posts:

1. Types of Hepatitis