Digestive health
Abdominal pain
Stretching from your head to your bottom, the digestive system (made up of the gut, bowel and stomach) breaks down all that delicious food and drink, absorbing the useful nutrients and energy, whilst getting rid of the waste. It's a complex system that comes with various health concerns, from simple problems like constipation to disorders which may be lifelong, such as Crohn's disease.
Signs and symptoms
Trapped wind, gas and bloating
by Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGP
Digestive health
Irritable bowel syndrome
by Dr Rachel Hudson, MRCGP
Digestive health
Gastroenteritis
by Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGP
Digestive health
Piles
by Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGP
Abdominal pain
Stomach pain can range from harmless to serious. Discover common causes of abdominal discomfort and when to seek urgent medical attention.
- Symptoms of appendicitis
- Appendicitis
- Spleen pain
- Right lower quadrant pain
- Left lower quadrant pain
- Gastritis
- Left upper quadrant pain
- Right lower quadrant pain in children
- Left-side abdominal pain in children
- Abdominal pain
- Mesenteric adenitis
- Recurrent abdominal pain in children
- Right lower quadrant pain in pregnancy
- Stomach ulcer
- Left lower quadrant pain in pregnancy
- Right upper quadrant pain
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.
Gastrointestinal cancers
Cancers can develop anywhere along the digestive tract. Learn about symptoms of stomach, bowel, liver and pancreatic cancers and the latest treatments available.
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.
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.
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.
- Liver function tests
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis
- Cirrhosis
- Primary biliary cholangitis
- Liver failure
- Gilbert's syndrome
- Liver biopsy
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Jaundice
- Wilson's disease
Hepatitis
- Hepatitis C
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis
Alcohol advice
- Liver disease and alcohol
- Alcohol and sensible drinking - safe limits of alcohol
- Alcohol withdrawal and alcohol detoxification
- Alcoholism and problem drinking
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.
- Eosinophilic oesophagitis
- Gastroenteritis in children
- Cyclical vomiting syndrome
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Barrett's oesophagus
- Mallory-Weiss tear
- PEG feeding tubes
- Constipation
- E. coli
- Stoma dietary care
- Acute pancreatitis
- Rotavirus
- Gastroenteritis
- Hernia
- Food allergy and intolerance
- Salmonella
- Norovirus
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal masses
- Campylobacter
- Gastroparesis
- Trapped wind, gas and bloating
- Food poisoning
- Food poisoning in children
- Helicobacter pylori
- Hiatus hernia