Digestion and the gastrointestinal tract

Yellow Fever: Symptoms, Transmission, Vaccination

Yellow Fever: Symptoms, Transmission, Vaccination

Yellow fever is a haemorrhagic infectious fever most commonly found in areas of Africa and South America, where it often causes epidemics and numerous deaths. The disease is virtually incurable. The only prevention is vaccination, which is compulsory when visiting these countries.
Jaundice: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Jaundice: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Jaundice (icterus) is a yellowish discoloration of the tissues by an increased concentration of bilirubin: the bile pigment. Small increases (subicterus) can be seen on the sclerae (whites of the eyes) and soft palate. Jaundice is not a disease in itself, jaundice is a symptom of a disease.
Pain under the Right Shoulder Blade

Pain under the Right Shoulder Blade

Pain shooting below the right shoulder blade can be caused by organ diseases, but also by muscular or skeletal problems. Often it originates from the spinal area.
Appendicitis: Causes and Symptoms

Appendicitis: Causes and Symptoms

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, also called vermiform appendix, cecal appendix, vermix, or vermiform process. Appendicitis mainly affects children. 
Lower Abdominal Pain: Causes and Symptoms

Lower Abdominal Pain: Causes and Symptoms

Pain in the lower abdomen troubles women or men for a variety of problems that are normally benign. However, behind this type of pain can also hide a serious disease.
Coeliac Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Coeliac Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease of the small intestine. A person suffering from this disease is unable to digest gluten. The problem is, gluten is a common component of food.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Definition, Causes, Symptoms

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Definition, Causes, Symptoms

Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional and not an organic disease of the digestive tract. It is caused by a combination of various risk factors, such as stress. It is characterized by abdominal pain, bloating and problematic defecation. Treatment may or may not be simple.
Esophagitis - Inflammation of the Oesophagus

Esophagitis - Inflammation of the Oesophagus

Oesophagitis, also known as oesophagitis, is an inflammatory disease of the lining of the oesophagus. It takes place acutely or chronically. A common causative agent is oesophageal reflux disease. It also occurs as a result of chemical or thermal exposure or a nutritional error. It is manifested by pain on swallowing or heartburn.
Oesophageal cancer: Causes, Manifestations And Treatment

Oesophageal cancer: Causes, Manifestations And Treatment

Oesophageal cancer is a dangerous and malignant disease that can be asymptomatic for a long time. Once the issues start appearing, it is indicative of a disease that is in an advanced stage. This malignant tumour is the sixth most common cause of death. It occurs three times more often in men than in women, and increasingly so.
Ulcerative Colitis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnostics

Ulcerative Colitis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnostics

Ulcerative colitis is a long-term inflammatory disease of the terminal part of the large intestine, with possible spread to the whole colon. This autoimmune inflammation is characterised by bleeding, suppuration and ulceration of the intestinal mucosa. Its cause has not been clarified. It is characterised by alternating periods of calm and the onset of discomfort such as pain, diarrhoea and bleeding on stool.
Fatty liver disease: Definition, Causes, Manifestations, Treatment

Fatty liver disease: Definition, Causes, Manifestations, Treatment

Hepatic steatosis is a relatively common metabolic disease. The term steatosis refers to an increased state of fat accumulation. The latter is very often associated with alcohol. However, the latter is not the only cause of liver steatosis. The accumulation of fat results in impaired function of this important organ.
Liver Cancer: Causes, Manifestations, Treatment

Liver Cancer: Causes, Manifestations, Treatment

Liver cancer, also known as hepatic cancer and primary hepatic malignancy, is one of the most common cancers in the world. There are several known types of cancer. Hepatocellular carcinoma is probably the best known. Long-term liver disease, such as cirrhosis, is a risk factor for the development of this disease.