Colostomy and ileostomy are surgical procedures that create an opening from the intestines through the abdominal wall, known as a stoma. One difference is the part of the bowel that is used. A colostomy uses part of the colon while an ileostomy uses part of the ileum. Both procedures can be temporary or permanent depending … Read more
Small bowel obstruction (SBO) refers to a complete or partial blockage in the small intestine. It can be caused by scar tissue from a previous surgery, hernias, cancer, and inflammatory bowel disorders. An SBO prevents contents from passing through into the large intestine. This causes waste products to build up above the portion of the … Read more
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. It occurs when enzymes in the pancreas start digesting their own tissue, known as autodigestion. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, with pancreatitis being acute or chronic. Acute pancreatitis will cause severe abdominal pain and tenderness often radiating to the back along with abdominal distention, nausea, vomiting, and … Read more
Liver cirrhosis is the scarring of the liver from liver diseases. The advancement of liver disease to cirrhosis is irreversible. The most common causes include: The liver plays vital roles in the body including metabolism, detoxification, digestion, storage of vitamins and minerals, production of clotting factors, and more. Complications include edema and ascites, enlargement of … Read more
Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix, a small pouch attached to the large intestine in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. The appendix has shown to have benefits in infants but the function in adults is largely unknown. Research suggests the appendix may help regulate intestinal bacteria. If the appendix becomes blocked it … Read more