Peptic ulcer disease is a condition in which there are painful sores or ulcers in the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum). Normally, a thick layer of mucus protects the stomach lining from the effect of its digestive juices. No single cause has been found for ulcers. …
Often known as piles, haemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the anal canal (back passage). The most common symptom of haemorrhoids is bleeding, which is usually bright red and separate from the stool. This often happens after you have opened your bowels. Other symptoms include itching and soreness around the anus. To read more on …
Hepatitis C is a blood borne virus that predominantly infects the cells of the liver. This can result in inflammation and significant damage to the liver. It can also affect the liver’s ability to perform its essential functions. The virus can only be transmitted by infected blood. There are six major variations of the hepatitis …
The term ‘hepatitis’ means ‘inflammation of the liver’. It has a number of different causes including damage by a virus. The Hepatitis B virus (or HBV) multiplies in the liver cells. The body then tries to get rid of the Hepatitis B by killing the infected cells. It is the self-defense or immune response that …
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which the contents of the stomach are regurgitated back up into the esophagus instead of passing down into the small intestine to be digested. Everyone experiences some degree of GERD but it is only considered to be a disease when there are significant symptoms or complications. Symptoms …
