Digestive health – articles and advice
Abdominal pain
Read features on gut health, digestion and related conditions, with practical lifestyle tips. For reference information, see our Patient Information Leaflets on digestive health.
Abdominal pain
Stomach pain can range from harmless to serious. Discover common causes of abdominal discomfort and when to seek urgent medical attention.
Anal and rectal problems
From piles to itching and bleeding, anal and rectal issues are more common than you think. Learn the causes and treatments that can provide relief.
Bowel problems
Bowel troubles like constipation, diarrhoea, or IBS can affect anyone. Learn the causes, treatment options, and how to keep your digestion on track.
Diarrhoea
Everyone has it sometimes. Discover what causes diarrhoea, how to treat it at home, and when it could signal something more serious.
Gallbladder
Gallstones and gallbladder infections can cause pain and nausea. Learn the symptoms, how diagnosis works, and what treatments or surgery might be needed.
Indigestion and heartburn
That burning feeling after eating? Learn what causes indigestion and heartburn, how to manage symptoms, and when it might be time to see a doctor.
- Is it indigestion or a heart attack?
- Is it indigestion or something more serious?
- How to get rid of indigestion
- What's causing your heartburn? Acid reflux diet sheet
- What to eat and avoid for heartburn
- How to manage your heartburn at Christmas
- What it means when you constantly need to burp
- How to deal with heartburn during pregnancy
- Heartburn at night: how to improve sleep quality with heartburn
- When to worry about indigestion
- How to deal with Christmas indigestion
- Why does your stomach rumble when you aren't hungry?
Infections
Gastro bugs can cause nausea, diarrhoea, and stomach cramps. Learn about the causes, how to avoid dehydration, and when to seek medical advice.
Irritable bowel syndrome
IBS causes bloating, cramps, and bowel changes. Discover what triggers symptoms, lifestyle adjustments that can help, and available treatments to ease discomfort.
- Are the symptoms of IBS in men and women different?
- How IBS affects sex, dating and relationships
- Hypnotherapy for IBS: the gut-brain axis
- IBS diet: foods to eat and avoid
- Probiotics for IBS: do they work?
- What is the link between IBS and anxiety?
- What's the difference between IBS and IBD?
- Which foods trigger irritable bowel syndrome?
Liver
Your liver plays a vital role in filtering toxins and aiding digestion. Learn about common liver conditions, their symptoms, and how to keep your liver healthy.
- How to look after your liver
- How to look after your liver during freshers’ week
Hepatitis
- What you need to know about hepatitis
- Why has there been an increase of hepatitis in children?
- What's the difference between hepatitis A, B, and C?
- What's autoimmune hepatitis and how does it differ from other forms?
Other digestive conditions
Not all tummy troubles fit neatly into a box. Explore less common digestive problems and when to seek advice if symptoms persist.
- Poo - what's normal?
- What does the pancreas do?
- How your gut affects your overall health
- What does your poo say about you?
- The digestive system
- Sneaky ways to eat more fibre
- What blood in your poo could mean
- What's the link between anxiety and gut health?
- Hiatus hernia treatment options
- The link between gut health and happiness
- What is small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)?