Information About The Digestive System

Health Encyclopedia: Ulcerative Colitis Introduction

Introduction

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a general term that covers two disorders:

Ulcerative colitis
Crohn's disease

Some evidence suggests that they are part of a biologic continuum, but at this time they are considered distinct disorders with somewhat different treatment options. The basic distinctions are location and severity. As many as 10% of patients with IBD have findings and symptoms that match the criteria for both disorders, at least in the early stages (which is called indetermi...

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Expert & Community Posts

Live from GI Conference: The Reflux Mom

By Jan Gambino , Health Expert

...advanced training in pediatrics and diseases of the digestive system also known as... Read more »

Nutritionist Jennifer Rackley Joins MyIBDCentral.com

By Jennifer Rackley , Health Expert

...reflux disease. Their journey has educated me on the digestive system in ways I could never... Read more »

Is Reflux Genetic?

By Jan Gambino , Health Expert

...good times and conversations about Uncle Fred’s digestive system, be sure to contact the... Read more »

What is a Reflux Mom?

By Jan Gambino , Health Expert

...unexpectedly finds that her beautiful baby or child has a digestive system that doesn't quite... Read more »

Do Weight Loss Pills Work?

By Heather Reese , Health Expert

...helps keep your muscles, heart, nervous system and digestive system healthy. It’s important... Read more »

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Health Guide

Crohn's Disease: Introduction

...image of the structure of the colon.The Gastrointestinal TractThe gastrointestinal (GI) tract (the digestive system) is a tube that extends from the mouth to the anus. It is a complex organ system... Read more »

Peristalsis

...kidneys to the bladder. Peristalsis is an automatic and important process that moves food through the digestive system. It also moves urine from the kidneys into the bladder, and bile from the... Read more »

Hepatitis: Outlook

...for cirrhosis is much higher in patients with hepatitis C than in those with hepatitis B. [For more information, see In-Depth Report #75: Cirrhosis.]Liver Cancer. The risk for liver cancer in... Read more »

Hepatitis: Introduction

...progressive. In certain patients, however, it can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. [For more information, see In-Depth Report #75: Cirrhosis.] Read more »

Gallstones and Gallbladder Disease: Symptoms

...symptoms include peptic ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or indigestion of unknown cause. [For more information, see In-DepthReports #19 Peptic Ulcers or #85 Gastroesophageal Reflux... Read more »

Images

Digestive system

Find an image showing the digestive system and its component parts.... Read more »