Barrett’s esophagus is a change in the lining of the esophagus, the swallowing tube that carries foods and liquids from the mouth to the stomach.

Carcinoid syndrome occurs when a rare cancerous tumor called a carcinoid tumor secretes certain chemicals into your bloodstream, causing a variety of signs and symptoms.

Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein in wheat, rye and barley.

Cirrhosis is a condition in which the liver slowly deteriorates and malfunctions due to chronic injury. Scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue, partially blocking the flow of blood through the liver.

Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), the lower part of your digestive system. Rectal cancer is cancer of the last several inches of the colon. Together, they are often referred to as colorectal cancers.

A colon polyp is a growth on the surface of the colon, also called the large intestine. Some colon polyps are benign, meaning they are not cancer. But some types of polyps may already be cancer or can become cancer.

Constipation is defined as having a bowel movement fewer than three times per week. With constipation stools are usually hard, dry, small in size, and difficult to evacuate.

Crohn’s disease is an ongoing disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, also referred to as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Crohn’s disease effects men and women equally and seems to run in some families.

Diarrhea is loose, watery stools. Having diarrhea means passing loose stools three or more times a day. Acute diarrhea is a common problem that usually lasts 1 or 2 days and goes away on its own. Diarrhea lasting more than 2 days may be a sign of a more serious problem.

Rectal pain is a common problem. Most people have experienced it at least once in their lives. It usually appears as a mild irritation, but sometimes the pain can be so severe that it can be incapacitating.

The pancreas and bile duct (biliary) systems together form an important part of the digestive system. The pancreas and liver produce juices (pancreatic juice and bile) which help in the process of digestion.

The causes of esophageal disorders depend on the type of disorder. Congenital defects are caused by errors in development. It is not clear why some structural disorders, such as Schatzki ring and hiatal hernia, occur.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is the transplantation of stool from a healthy individual into a patient to boost healthy bacteria. FMT is an investigational therapy used to treat Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infection that returns after continued antibiotic treatment.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which the stomach contents (food or liquid) leak backwards from the stomach into the esophagus (the tube from the mouth to the stomach).

Bleeding in the digestive tract is a symptom of a disease rather than a disease itself. Most causes of bleeding are related to conditions that can be cured or controlled, such as ulcers or hemorrhoids. Some causes of bleeding may be life threatening.

H. pylori is a type of bacteria – a germ that may cause infection. H. pylori infection is common, particularly in developing countries, and often begins in childhood. Symptoms usually don’t occur until adulthood, although most people never have any symptoms.

Hemorrhoids are swollen and inflamed veins around the anus or in the lower rectum. The rectum is the last part of the large intestine leading to the anus. The anus is the opening at the end of the digestive tract where bowel contents leave the body.

Viral hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. The hepatitis B, C, and D viruses can also cause chronic hepatitis, in which the infection is prolonged, sometimes lifelong. Chronic hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of inflammatory conditions of the colon and small intestine. The major types of IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

In the normal small intestine, liquefied food and secretions including digestive enzymes are pushed onwards by waves of muscular contraction. When these contractions are impaired, the contents are trapped, and cause distention with symptoms such as bloating, nausea, vomiting and even malnutrition.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder characterized most commonly by cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. IBS causes a great deal of discomfort and distress, but it does not permanently harm the intestines and does not lead to a serious disease, such as cancer.

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach and close to the duodenum—the first part of the small intestine. When the pancreas is inflamed, the enzymes inside it attack and damage the tissues that produce them.

A petic ulcer is a sore in the lining of your stomach or duodenum. The duodenum is the first part of your small intestine. A peptic ulcer in the stomach is called a gastric ulcer. One that is in the duodenum is called a duodenal ulcer.

The small bowel, also known as the small intestine, is the section of the gastrointestinal tract that connects the stomach with the colon. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is also known as small bowel bacterial overgrowth (SBBO).

The stomach is a “J” shaped canal which is continuous with the esophagus above and the duodenum below. Gastroduodenal disorders can be organic or functional. Functional disorders can include ulcers, functional dyspepsia, belching disorders and chronic nausea and vomiting disorders.

Whipple’s disease is a rare bacterial infection primarily affecting the small intestine. It can also affect the heart, lungs, brain, joints, and eyes. Left untreated, Whipple’s disease is fatal.