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Featured Tests and Procedures
Barium Enema
A barium enema is conducted by taking x-rays of the lining of your rectum and colon. As this eMedTV page points out, the procedure can help diagnose polyps, colon cancer, and other problems. This article explains what to expect during the procedure.
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is used to look for early signs of cancer or the causes of changes in bowel habits. This eMedTV Web page further describes the procedure in detail, including how it is carried out and possible risks associated with it.
Colonoscopy Preparation Review
Colonoscopy preparation begins several days before the procedure, when you start a liquid diet to empty your colon. This eMedTV article further explains the colonoscopy preparation process, including what to expect and what you can and cannot eat.
EGD
EGD stands for esophagogastroduodenoscopy. As this eMedTV segment explains, it is a procedure that allows your doctor to examine your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. This Web page offers an in-depth look at this procedure.
Liver Donation Surgery
Liver donation surgery is the process of replacing someone's diseased liver with part of your healthy liver. This eMedTV article further discusses the purpose of the surgery and offers a detailed description of the surgery itself.
Living Donor Liver Transplant
In an adult living donor liver transplant, part of a healthy liver is transplanted into a sick person. This eMedTV Web article describes this procedure at length, including how it is performed, with links to specific information.
Sigmoidoscopy
A sigmoidoscopy allows a doctor to see the last third of the colon and rectum. This eMedTV page further explains the procedure, including what to expect, how it is performed, and how it differs from a colonoscopy.
Upper Endoscopy
An upper endoscopy is a procedure used to examine your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. This eMedTV page explains how the procedure is carried out, the purpose of this examination, and potential complications a person may experience.
Featured Conditions and Diseases
Acute Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis occurs suddenly, lasts for a short period of time, and usually gets better. This eMedTV article provides an in-depth look at acute pancreatitis by discussing the causes, symptoms, and treatment of this condition.
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a serious medical condition, often requiring emergency treatment. This page on the eMedTV Web site provides an in-depth look at this condition, including symptoms, causes, treatment, and more.
Barrett's Esophagus
Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which the esophagus forms new types of cells on its surface. As this eMedTV page explains, these cells are similar to the cells found in the intestines. This page offers an in-depth look at this disorder.
Chronic Pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis is a disorder involving digestive enzymes that attack and destroy the pancreas. As this eMedTV article explains, this can lead to pain and scarring. This page describes the causes, symptoms, and treatment of this condition.
Cirrhosis
In someone with cirrhosis, liver injuries cause scar tissue to replace normal, healthy tissue in the liver. This eMedTV article lists causes of the disease (such as hepatitis C) and explains how the scarring keeps the liver from working properly.
Colon Polyps
Colon polyps are growths that develop in the large intestine. This eMedTV article offers an in-depth look at these polyps, including detailed information on what causes them, what symptoms may occur, and how they are treated.
Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis occurs when small sacs in the colon become infected. This eMedTV article gives an overview of this condition, explaining how it can develop suddenly and without warning (which is why it's important to know the symptoms and risk factors).
Diverticulosis
People who have diverticulosis have small pouches in their colons that bulge outward through weak spots. As this eMedTV page explains, the condition itself is harmless, but if infection occurs in the pouches, it can cause pain in the lower abdomen.
Food Intolerance
Common types of food intolerance include histamine toxicity, celiac disease, and lactose intolerance. This eMedTV article provides an in-depth look at these conditions and explains how they are often confused with food allergy.
Hemochromatosis
Hemochromatosis is a disorder in which the intestines absorb too much iron. The information in this eMedTV Web page discusses the types, causes, symptoms, and treatment of this condition and also provides links to more information.
Hirschsprung's Disease
Hirschsprung's disease, an illness of the large intestine, is characterized by severe constipation. This eMedTV article describes the condition in more detail, including its causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
Intussusception
Intussusception is a condition in which one part of the intestine tunnels into an adjoining section. This eMedTV article offers an overview of this condition, including information about its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Lactose
Hidden lactose may be found in foods such as baked goods, breakfast cereals, and instant potatoes. This eMedTV segment talks about hidden lactose and explains how it is even found in some prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Lactose Intolerance
Between 30 and 50 million Americans are lactose intolerant (unable to digest a sugar called lactose). This eMedTV Web page offers an overview of the causes, symptoms, and treatment of lactose intolerance.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. As this eMedTV article explains, it comes in two forms: acute and chronic. This part of the Web site provides detailed information on the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of this condition.
Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
A liver disease that destroys bile ducts, primary biliary cirrhosis affects women more often than men. This eMedTV Web page provides a general overview of primary biliary cirrhosis symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Secondary Biliary Cirrhosis
Secondary biliary cirrhosis occurs when the large bile ducts outside of the liver become blocked. This eMedTV page takes an in-depth look at secondary biliary cirrhosis causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment -- and also links to more information.
Short Bowel Syndrome
Short bowel syndrome is a condition characterized by diarrhea, cramping, and heartburn. As this eMedTV article explains, it can occur in people who have had half or more of their small intestine removed. This page discusses the syndrome in detail.
Spastic Colon
Spastic colon is a disorder that often results in diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal cramping. This eMedTV Web page offers an overview of this condition, including how it is diagnosed and other symptoms that may occur.
Wilson's Disease
Wilson's disease is characterized by excessive amounts of copper that accumulate in the body. This eMedTV article discusses this disease in detail, including information on its causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
Featured Medications
Balsalazide
Balsalazide can help relieve inflammation and other symptoms caused by ulcerative colitis. This eMedTV segment offers an in-depth look at the drug, including how it works to treat the condition, tips for those taking it, and possible side effects.
Budesonide EC
People who have Crohn's disease may benefit from budesonide EC, a prescription steroid. This segment of the eMedTV archives further describes the uses and effects of the medication and provides links to more detailed information on budesonide EC.
Bumex
Bumex is a prescribed medication that is approved to treat fluid retention due to many causes. This eMedTV page explains how the drug works to decrease blood volume and offers information on its effects, dosing guidelines, and side effects.
Dicyclomine
Dicyclomine is a prescription medicine commonly used for treating irritable bowel syndrome. This eMedTV resource explains how dicyclomine works and offers a more in-depth look at the drug's effects, dosing information, and potential side effects.
Dyrenium
Dyrenium is a prescription medication that is licensed to treat fluid retention. This article from the eMedTV library explains how Dyrenium works, offers dosing information for the drug, and lists potential side effects that may occur with treatment.
Ethacrynic Acid
Ethacrynic acid is a prescription medication that is licensed to treat fluid retention. This eMedTV Web page offers a more in-depth look at the drug, including its effects, dosing information, and possible side effects.
Lubiprostone
Lubiprostone is a prescription drug used to treat chronic idiopathic constipation and IBS with constipation. This eMedTV page offers a detailed overview of this medication, describing how it works, potential side effects, and tips on taking the drug.
Olsalazine
Olsalazine is prescribed to prevent ulcerative colitis symptoms in people for whom it is in remission. This eMedTV article presents an in-depth look at the drug, including how it works, possible side effects, and helpful tips for people taking it.
Orally Disintegrating Metoclopramide
Conditions such as GERD and diabetic gastroparesis can be treated with orally disintegrating metoclopramide. This eMedTV segment provides a detailed overview of this drug, with information on when and how to take it, side effects, dosing, and more.
Pancreatic Enzymes
Pancreatic enzymes are usually taken by those with cystic fibrosis or chronic pancreatitis. This eMedTV segment talks about how these enzymes aid in the digestion of meals and also discusses the ingredients contained in the enzymes.
Ranitidine
Ranitidine is a drug that may be used to treat heartburn, ulcers, GERD, and other conditions. This eMedTV Web page covers both over-the-counter and prescription forms of ranitidine, including details about how they reduce acid in the stomach.
Rotateq
RotaTeq is a routine vaccine used to prevent rotavirus (a virus that causes severe diarrhea). This eMedTV page covers the benefits of the product, explains when your child should get vaccinated, and lists possible side effects of the vaccine.
Senna
Senna is a natural product often used as a laxative for the treatment of constipation. This article from the eMedTV Web site further explains what the product is used for, describes how it works, and lists some of its common side effects.
Tegaserod
Tegaserod is used to treat chronic idiopathic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. This eMedTV resource provides a detailed overview of the prescription drug, noting in particular its effects, strengths, and dosing guidelines.
Triamterene-HCTZ
Triamterene-HCTZ is typically used for the treatment of fluid retention and high blood pressure. This eMedTV segment offers a detailed look at the drug, including how it works, dosing information, and possible side effects.
Featured Symptoms
Anal Bleeding
Infection, hemorrhoids, inflammation, cancer, and ulcers can all cause anal bleeding. This eMedTV resource explores the different types of bleeding, as well as common diagnostic tests (such as endoscopy) and treatment options for this symptom.
Heartburn
Heartburn can cause discomfort that starts in the middle of the chest and moves up through the throat. This eMedTV article offers an in-depth overview of heartburn, with information on its symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options.
Intestinal Gas
Intestinal gas occurs as a result of swallowed air or the breakdown of foods, especially carbohydrates. This eMedTV segment discusses this topic in detail, with information on causes, symptoms, treatment options, and more.
Rectal Bleeding
Rectal bleeding can be a symptom of various diseases, from hemorrhoids to cancer. This page from the eMedTV archives explains the types of bleeding that can occur, possible causes, treatment options, and diagnostic procedures.
Featured Anatomy
Colon
The colon is a tube that connects the rectum and anus to the small intestine and absorbs certain nutrients. This eMedTV Web page discusses the function of the colon in more detail and explains its role as part of the digestive system.
Digestive System
The stomach, esophagus, and small intestine are all parts of the digestive system. This page from the eMedTV site explains how this system allows your body to absorb nutrients from food and then remove the leftover waste products.
Pancreas
The pancreas is a gland in the abdomen that makes insulin, other hormones, and pancreatic juices. This eMedTV Web page describes the location and purpose of this part of the body, including its role in helping the body use and store energy.
Featured Other
Liver Donation
Liver donation is a two-step process that involves a complete medical evaluation before the actual surgery. This eMedTV Web page explains the process, including a description of the medical evaluation and things to consider before donating.
Liver Donation Surgery Recovery
After liver donation surgery, recovery consists of follow-up doctor visits and avoiding strenuous activity. This eMedTV segment offers more information on the recovery process, including what to expect and tips on relieving surgery-related pain.
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