Diseases & Health Conditions
Educational information about diseases, symptoms, and related treatments
Acute cholecystitis
Acute cholecystitis means the gallbladder has become swollen and inflamed. It can turn serious, and...
Acute pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis is a serious condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed over a short period...
Alcohol-related liver disease
About alcohol-related liver disease Symptoms of alcohol-related liver disease Causes of alcohol-rela...
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a painful swelling of the appendix. The appendix is a small, thin pouch about 5 to 1...
Bowel incontinence
Bowel incontinence means pooing by accident, without meaning to. It's also sometimes called faecal i...
Bowel polyps
Bowel polyps are small growths on the inner lining of the colon (large bowel) or rectum. They are co...
Chronic pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis is a condition where the pancreas becomes permanently damaged by inflammation....
Cirrhosis
Symptoms of cirrhosis Causes of cirrhosis Diagnosing cirrhosis Treating cirrhosis Preventing cirrhos...
Coeliac disease
Coeliac disease is a common autoimmune condition. When a person with it eats gluten, the immune syst...
Constipation
Constipation is a common problem that affects people of all ages. You may be constipated if you aren...
Crohn’s disease
Crohn's disease is a long-term condition that causes inflammation in the lining of the digestive sys...
Diarrhoea in adults
Diarrhoea means passing stools that are looser, more watery or more frequent than is normal for you....
Diarrhoea in children and babies
Diarrhoea in children and babies means passing looser, watery or more frequent poo (stools) than is...
Diverticular disease and diverticulitis
About diverticular disease and diverticulitis Diverticular disease and diverticulitis are two relat...
Dysphagia (swallowing problems)
Dysphagia is the medical name for difficulty swallowing. Some people with dysphagia find certain foo...
Farting
Farting, or flatulence, means passing gas from the digestive system out through the back passage. It...
Gallstones
Gallstones are small stones, usually made of cholesterol, that form in the gallbladder. Most of the...
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
GORD is a common problem where stomach acid rises into the food pipe (oesophagus). It can cause hear...
Gastroenteritis in adults
Gastroenteritis is a very common condition that causes diarrhoea and vomiting. It's usually brought...
Gastroenteritis in children and babies
Gastroenteritis causes diarrhoea and vomiting. It is common in young children, and it is usually cau...
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a liver infection spread through an infected person's stool. The risk of catching it...
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a liver infection spread through blood and body fluids. In the UK, the chance of catc...
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a liver infection spread through blood. It can be cured with treatment. But if left...
Hiatus hernia
About hiatus hernia A hiatus hernia (also called a hiatal hernia) happens when part of the stomach p...