Conditions

Gastrointestinal bleeding

• Gastrointestinal bleeding is the symptom of vomiting up of blood or bleeding from the rectum.

• Gastrointestinal bleeding can come from the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon or rectum.

• Gastrointestinal bleeding can be caused by:
· anal fissures
· arterial vascular malformation ( malformed blood vessels in the stomach or intestine
· aspirin use
· Celiac Disease (Nontropical sprue)
· colitis (inflammation or infection of the colon)
· colon cancer
· colonic polyp
· esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus)
· gastritis (stomach inflammation)
· hemorrhoids
· stomach ulcer
· stomach cancer
· Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) such as Ibuprofen(Advil/Mortin), Naprosyn (Aleve), Diclofenac

• Gastrointestinal bleeding should always be evaluated by your doctor.

Read more – May 1, 2009

Blood in the stool

• Blood in the stool is the symptom of bleeding from the rectum.

• Blood in the stool can come from the bleeding of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon or rectum.

• Blood in the stool can be caused by:
· anal fissures
· arterial vascular malformation ( malformed blood vessels in the stomach or intestine
· aspirin use
· Celiac Disease (Nontropical sprue)
· colitis (inflammation or infection of the colon)
· colon cancer
· colonic polyp
· esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus)
· gastritis (stomach inflammation)
· hemorrhoids
· stomach ulcer
· stomach cancer
· Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) such as Ibuprofen(Advil/Mortin), Naprosyn (Aleve), Diclofenac

• Blood in the stool should always be evaluated by your doctor

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Melena

• Melena is the symptom of an abnormally dark bowel movement (stool).

• Melena may also be associated with a tarry texture can a be sign of bleeding in the stomach or intestines. Bacteria in the intestine change blood (hemoglobin) in blood to a dark pigment.

• Melena may or may not be associated with abdominal discomfort.

• Melena may be caused by:
· bleeding stomach inflammation (gastritis) of stomach ulcer
· swallowing blood from bleeding nose
· bleeding veins in the esophagus
· inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis)
· Hiatal hernia
· stomach or colon cancer
· inflammation of the colon (colitis)

• Melena should always be evaluated by your doctor.

Read more – January 2, 2009

GI Bleeding

• GI bleeding is the symptom of bleeding from the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon or rectum.

• GI bleeding can be caused by:
· anal fissures
· arterial vascular malformation (malformed blood vessels in the stomach or intestine)
· aspirin use
· Celiac Disease (Nontropical sprue)
· colitis (inflammation or infection of the colon)
· colon cancer
· colonic polyp
· esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus)
· gastritis (stomach inflammation)
· hemorrhoids
· stomach ulcer
· stomach cancer
· Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) such as Ibuprofen (Advil/Mortin), Naprosyn (Aleve),or  Diclofenac

• GI bleeding should always be evaluated by your doctor.

Read more – December 16, 2008

Gastrointestinal bleeding

• Gastrointestinal bleeding is the symptom of vomiting up of blood or bleeding from the rectum.

• Gastrointestinal bleeding can come from the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon or rectum.

• Gastrointestinal bleeding can be caused by:
· anal fissures
· arterial vascular malformation ( malformed blood vessels in the stomach or intestine
· aspirin use
· Celiac Disease (Nontropical sprue)
· colitis (inflammation or infection of the colon)
· colon cancer
· colonic polyp
· esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus)
· gastritis (stomach inflammation)
· hemorrhoids
· stomach ulcer
· stomach cancer
· Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) such as Ibuprofen (Advil/Mortin), Naprosyn (Aleve), Diclofenac

• Gastrointestinal bleeding should always be evaluated by your doctor

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Frequent bowel movements

• Frequent bowel movements are the symptom of diarrhea.

• Frequent bowel movements more than three bowel movements per day is diarrhea.

• Diarrhea is loose or liquid bowel movements.

• Diarrhea lasting less than two weeks is likely due to an infection or medications.

• Diarrhea lasting longer than two weeks should always be evaluated by your doctor.

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Bowel problems

• Bowel problems is the symptom of discomfort with bowel activity, diarrhea or constipation.

• Bowel problems are common.

• Bowel problems may be a sign of:
· bacterial overgrowth (excessive bacteria flora in colon)
· celiac sprue (inflammatory reaction to a protein in wheat products)
· lactase deficiency
· parasite infection
· laxative abuse
· hypothyroidism
· Inflammatory bowel disease
· Intestinal ischemia
· diverticular disease
· peptic ulcer disease
· functional or nonulcer dyspepsia
· colon cancer
· endometriosis

• Bowel problems that persists or worsen should be evaluated by your doctor.

Read more – November 23, 2008

Abdominal mass

• Abdominal mass is a localized swelling, induration or enlargement of a specific area of the abdomen.

• Abdominal mass may be cause by:
· Ascites (the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.
· Gastric outlet obstruction
· Hepatomegaly (swelling of the liver)
· Ovarian cyst
· Polycystic kidney disease (the disease of multiple kidney cysts)
· Splenomegaly (swelling of the spleen)

• Abdominal mass is not a normal finding and should be evaluated by your doctor.

Read more – October 20, 2008