Malignant large bowel cystadenocarcinoma is quite treatable and frequently cured when it only affects the digestive system. 1. One-stage resection anastomosis, which can be subtotal colectomy or segmental colectomy, w...

The botulism neurotoxin is one of the most potent, lethal substances known. Botulism is a disease caused by this neurotoxin (specifically A, B, E, or F type neurotoxin). The neurotoxin is produced by bacteria called Clostr...

Campylobacteriosis is an infection caused by bacteria y...

Campylobacteriosis is a bacterial infection caused by Campylobacter bacteria. It is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness in the world, typically contracted through the consumption of contaminated food or water. Symptoms of campylobac...

Cholera is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is typically spread through contaminated water or food and can cause severe diarrhea and dehydration. Cholera is a potentially life-threatening illness if not treated pro...

Collagenous colitis is a rare digestive disorder that primarily affects females and typically becomes apparent during middle age. The disorder is characterized by inflammatory changes of the mucous membranes (mucosa) of the colon (colitis) and abn...

Ulcerative colitis (UL-sur-uh-tiv koe-LIE-tis) is an inflammatory bowel disease ...

Ulcerative colitis (UL-sur-uh-tiv koe-LIE-tis) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation and ulcers (sores) in your digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis affects the innermost lining of your large intestine (colon) and rectum. ...

Colon cancer Open pop-up dialog box Close Colon cancer Colon cancer Colon cancer can occur in any part of the colon. An examination of your entire colon using a long, flexible tube equipped with a camera (colonoscopy) is one way to detect ...

Colon cancer can occur in any part of the colon. An examination of your entire colon using a long, flexible tube equipped with a camera (colonoscopy) is one way to detect colon cancer and polyps. Colon cancer is a type of cancer that begin...

Cryptosporidiosis is a diarrheal disease caused by microscopic parasites, Cryptosporidium, that can live in the intestine of humans and animals and is passed in the stool of an infected person or animal. Both the disease and the parasite are commo...

Cryptosporidiosis is a parasitic infection caused by the Cryptosporidium parasite. It is typically transmitted through contaminated water or food, or through contact with infected animals or people. Symptoms of cryptosporidiosis include diarrhea, ...

Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria normally live in the intestines of healthy people and animals. Most varieties of E. coli are harmless or cause relatively brief diarrhea. But a few particularly nasty strains, such as E. coli O157:H7, can cause ...

Definition of gastroenteritis Gastroenteritis (often referred to as the "stomach flu," however, it is not related to the influenza virus. Gastroenteritis is a nonspecific term for various inflammatory problems in the gastrointestinal tract...

Giardiasis is a common intestinal infection caused by a microscopic parasite called Giardia lamblia. It is typically contracted by ingesting contaminated food or water, and can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, bloating, and weigh...

Forbes disease (GSD-III) is one of several glycogen storage disorders (GSD) that are inherited as autosomal recessive traits. Symptoms are caused by a lack of the enzyme amylo-1,6 glucosidase (debrancher enzyme). This enzyme deficiency causes exce...

Glycogen storage diseases are a group of disorders in which stored glycogen cannot be metabolized into glucose to supply energy for the body. Glycogen storage disease type VII (GSD VII) is characterized by weakness, pain and stiffness during exerc...

Glycogen storage diseases are a group of disorders in which stored glycogen cannot be metabolized into glucose to supply energy for the body. Glycogen storage disease type VII (GSD VII) is characterized by weakness, pain and stiffness during exerc...

Tropical Sprue is a rare digestive disease in which the small intestine's ability to absorb nutrients is impaired (malabsorption). Consequently, nutritional deficiencies and abnormalities in the mucous lining of the small intestine may be present....

Bartter's syndrome (BS) is a group of conditions involving enlargement of certain kidney cells, blood that is more alkaline than normal, high levels of potassium and chloride in the urine, loss of potassium from the kidneys (renal potassium wastin...

Bartter's syndrome (BS) is a group of conditions involving enlargement of certain kidney cells, blood that is more alkaline than normal, high levels of potassium and chloride in the urine, loss of potassium from the kidneys (renal potassium wastin...

Williams syndrome, also known as Williams-Beuren syndrome, is a rare genetic disorder characterized by growth delays before and after birth (prenatal and postnatal growth retardation), short stature, a varying degree of mental deficiency, and dist...

Kennedy disease is a rare, X-linked slowly progressive neuro-muscular disorder. Kennedy disease is typically an adult-onset disease, where symptoms occur mainly between the ages of 20 and 50. The disease is characterized by symptoms such as muscle...

The Course of Kidney Disease Diabetic kidney disease takes many years to develop. In some people, the filtering function of the kidneys is actually higher than normal in the first few years of their diabetes. Over several years, pe...

If you have hypokalemia, that means you have low levels of potassium in your blood. Potassium is a mineral your body needs to work normally. It helps muscles to move, cells to get the nutrients they need, and nerves to send their signals. It&rsquo...

Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a rare malignant growth characterized by the progressive accumulation of mucus-secreting (mucinous) tumor cells within the abdomen and pelvis. The disorder develops after a small growth (polyp) located within the appendix...

Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a rare malignant growth characterized by the progressive accumulation of mucus-secreting (mucinous) tumor cells within the abdomen and pelvis. The disorder develops after a small growth (polyp) located within the appendix...

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis, which is inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It is commonly referred to as the "stomach flu" or "winter vomiting bug" because it often causes symptoms such as vomiting, di...

Acquired neuromyotonia is an inflammatory disorder characterized by abnormal nerve impulses from the peripheral nerves that result in continuous muscle fiber activity. Affected individuals often experience progressive muscle stiffness and cramping...

Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS) is a rare genetic disorder that can affect many parts of the body. The disorder is characterized by distinctive abnormalities of the skin, sparse hair, eyelashes and/or eyebrows, small stature, skeletal and dental a...

Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection that is rare in the United States. However, it is not rare in many other countries. Major symptoms may include unusually high fever, headache, loss of appetite, fatigue, abdominal pain and diarrhea....

Salmonellosis is a type of food poisoning caused by the Salmonella bacteria. It is typically contracted by consuming contaminated food or water. Symptoms of salmonellosis include diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, and vomiting. In most cases, the ...

Shigellosis is an infectious disease caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella. It is typically spread through contaminated food or water, or through close contact with an infected person. Symptoms of shigellosis can include diarrhea, fever, s...

Scleroderma is a rare autoimmune connective tissue disorder characterized by abnormal thickening of the skin. Connective tissue is composed of collagen, which supports and binds other body tissues. There are several types of scleroderma. Some type...

Travelers' diarrhea is defined by most experts as three or more unformed stools in a 24 hour time period, passed by a person who is traveling. Travelers' diarrhea is commonly accompanied by abdominal cramps, nausea, and bloating. Travelers' diarrh...

What is vitamin D? The "sunshine" vitamin is a hot topic. You may have recently found out that you are deficient or know someone who is. It's shocking for most people when they have never had a problem before and believe nothing has change...

Whipple disease is a rare disease resulting from bacterial infection that leads to inadequate absorption of nutrients (malabsorption) from the intestine. It is believed to result from infection with bacteria known as Tropheryma whippelii. The infe...