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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disorder that causes inflammation and swelling in the digestive tract or intestinal wall. When the digestive tract becomes chronically inflamed or irritated, bleeding sores called ulcers develop. These ulcers can cause abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, blood in the stool, fatigue, reduced appetite, weight loss, or fever.

At some stage of our lives, most of us will experience a bout of the rather unpleasant condition - diarrhea. Most of us experience two bowel movements per day, and have firm stools. When stools are watery or liquid and very loose – and this occurs three or more times a day, it is known as diarrhea. For most, this condition lasts a day or two, but if it persists, it may be a reason for concern, or point to a more serious condition.

Most of us have experienced the sensation of indigestion (Upset Stomach) – ‘fullness’, cramps and discomfort in the abdomen following a meal. It can also be accompanied by a burning sensation above the breastbone (heartburn) and/or fullness in the stomach (bloating). Indigestion is also known as dyspepsia and tends to cause flatulence and intestinal gas. Indigestion is another name for an upset stomach.

Although it may sound like it, heartburn is a painful condition involving the upper digestive system, not the heart. The pain often radiates from the middle of the chest, and so symptoms are often confused with those of a heart attack. The fact is that heartburn is a condition linked to indigestion and excess stomach acid.

Millions of Americans experience gastrointestinal problems each year which range from indigestion, heartburn, gas, diarrhea, an ulcer, IBS and in more severe cases, sometimes even colon cancer. These problems which affect the gastrointestinal tract cause much discomfort and can be quite frustrating.

Flatulence occurs as a by-product of digestion. During the process of food breakdown, protein must be broken into its individual amino acids. Fats must also be broken into fatty acids, and carbohydrates must be broken into individual glucose molecules.

Gallstones are solid pieces of material that develop in the gallbladder and look like small stones or pebbles. Gallstones may be as small as grains of sand or as large as a golf ball. The gallbladder can develop several hundreds of tiny stones or one large one, or a combination of both.

Billions of hungry bacteria (the natural "intestinal fauna") that we all have in our large intestine then produce a variety of gases such as methane, hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide as by-products of this fermentation process. These vapors are known as intestinal gasses, and can cause stomach bloating until they leave the body as flatulence through the anus.

Nausea is the sensation of unease and discomfort in the stomach with an urge to vomit or empty the contents of the stomach. Nausea can occur as a result of ‘morning sickness’ in pregnancy, flu, motion sickness, infection, food poisoning, overindulgence, blocked intestine, illness, concussion or brain injury, appendicitis and migraines.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is something that people often find difficult to talk about, yet it is one of the most common digestive conditions seen by doctors. It is estimated to affect approximately 20% of the US population.