Digestive system

Barium tests are used to examine conditions of the digestive tract such as reflux, narrowing or ulceration.

A diet high in fibre keeps the digestive system healthy.

The digestive tract can be thought of as a long muscular tube with digestive organs attached along the way.

The health of your gut microbiome impacts both your physical and mental health.

The type of pain felt in the abdomen can vary greatly.

Children may feel stomach pain for a range of reasons and may need treatment.

Travelling, eating and drinking go together but unfortunately, traveller's diarrhoea and other food-related illnesses can sometimes come along for the ride.

It is important to establish the cause of gastro, as different types of gastroenteritis respond to different treatments.

Amoebiasis can cause diarrhoea among travellers to developing countries.

Campylobacteriosis is a type of gastroenteritis and is more common in children under five years of age and young adults

Outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis have been associated with child care centres, public swimming pools and contaminated water supplies.

Most people infected with Giardia parasites do not develop symptoms but can still spread the infection to others.

You may be more prone to salmonellosis if you are elderly, have another medical condition (such as a weakened immune system) or are malnourished.

Outbreaks of shigella gastroenteritis can occur in institutional settings, particularly where children are still in nappies or adults are incontinent.

Anyone of any age can be struck by appendicitis, but it seems to be more common during childhood and adolescence.

Botulism is considered a medical emergency. If untreated, it may cause death.

Bowel cancer is highly curable if found at an early stage.

Many illnesses and events can affect the colour and texture of faeces.

Collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis are types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Most cases of constipation are treated by eating a diet high in fibre, drinking more fluids, and exercising daily.

A healthy diet, plenty of fluids, exercise and regular toilet habits can help relieve constipation in children

Acute diarrhoea in babies and young children can be life threatening.

Diverticulosis and diverticulitis relate to the formation or infection of abnormal pouches in the bowel wall.

Foods that tend to trigger flatulence also contain essential nutrients and shouldn't be eliminated.

Incontinence can be prevented in most cases.

Many things can be done to manage, treat and sometimes cure incontinence and continence problems.

Irritable bowel syndrome can't be cured with medications or special diets but avoiding individual triggers can help prevent it.

Despite the unsavoury reputation, a pinworm infection (worms) is relatively harmless and easily treated.

Polyps are common. A polyp is a small protrusion that grows out of the membranes lining various areas of the body including the nose, intestines and lining of the uterus (endometrium).

A person with short bowel syndrome is likely to be deficient in a range of important nutrients.

A newborn with slow transit constipation may not pass meconium until 24 hours or more after being born.

A stoma is an artificially created hole (stoma) in the abdomen so that faeces can still leave the body.

It's important for your own health to control tapeworm infection in your dog.

Cirrhosis is a type of liver damage where healthy cells are replaced by scar tissue.

Medical treatment for gallstones may not be necessary unless the gallstones cause symptoms.

Gilbert's syndrome and hepatitis both cause jaundice but are not related.

Hepatitis is an umbrella term for several diseases that affect the liver.

Immunisation is the best protection against hepatitis A infection and it is recommended for people in high-risk groups.

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver and can lead to serious illness or death.

Immunisation against hepatitis B reduces the risk of infection in babies.

In Australia, hepatitis C is most often spread through the sharing of drug injecting equipment. New all oral combination treatment has greatly improved health outcomes for people with hepatitis C.

If your baby is full-term and healthy, mild jaundice is nothing to worry about and will resolve by itself within a week or so.

Some forms of liver disease are inherited, while others are caused by lifestyle factors.

The damage caused by fatty liver disease can often be halted or reversed through simple lifestyle changes.

Liver cancer can be a primary cancer that starts in the liver, or a secondary cancer that starts in another part of the body and spreads to the liver.

Primary biliary cirrhosis is an autoimmune condition characterised by inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts within the liver.

Symptoms of Barrett's oesophagus are similar to regular heartburn, which means many people don't seek treatment until their condition is quite advanced.

Too much amniotic fluid surrounding the baby during pregnancy (polyhydramnios) may indicate the presence of defects of the digestive tract.

Hiccups that last for days, weeks or even years may be symptomatic of underlying disease.

Food inside the stomach is only kept there by the force of gravity so to avoid heartburn, don't lie down after a big meal.

Reflux is common in babies and causes no pain or problems with weight gain in most babies.

Risk factors for throat cancer include smoking or chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol and Human papillomavirus (HPV).

Diabetes and the build-up of glucose (sugar) in the blood can cause serious complications if left untreated.

Type 1 diabetes can affect anyone of any age, but is more common in people under 30 years.

Type 2 diabetes may be prevented, but it cannot be cured.

The pancreas helps to digest food, particularly protein.

The causes of pancreatic cancer are unknown, but smokers are at greater risk.

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, which can be either acute or chronic

Around half of cases of anal fissures heal by themselves with proper self-care and avoidance of constipation.

A diet high in fibre can both treat and prevent haemorrhoids.

Rectal prolapse occurs when the rectum turns itself inside out and comes out through the anus.

A rectocele is when the rectum protrudes into the vagina.

Coeliac disease is an immune disease caused by gluten.

When people with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) are not experiencing a flare-up of their illness, they feel quite well and are often free of symptoms.

It is important to establish the cause of gastro, as different types of gastroenteritis respond to different treatments.

Amoebiasis can cause diarrhoea among travellers to developing countries.

Campylobacteriosis is a type of gastroenteritis and is more common in children under five years of age and young adults

Outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis have been associated with child care centres, public swimming pools and contaminated water supplies.

Most people infected with Giardia parasites do not develop symptoms but can still spread the infection to others.

You may be more prone to salmonellosis if you are elderly, have another medical condition (such as a weakened immune system) or are malnourished.

Outbreaks of shigella gastroenteritis can occur in institutional settings, particularly where children are still in nappies or adults are incontinent.

Gastroenteritis is common in young children and spreads easily. See your doctor if your child is vomiting often, not drinking, showing signs of dehydration or has blood in their poo.

Irritable bowel syndrome can't be cured with medications or special diets but avoiding individual triggers can help prevent it.

People in contact with tropical fish and reptiles such as turtles, lizards and snakes may be at risk of infections and illness due to germs (such as bacteria, viruses and parasites) carried on the animals.

Rotavirus is a common cause of viral gastroenteritis for Australian babies and preschool children.

The risk of traveller's diarrhoea is higher where sanitation and hygiene standards are poor.

The type of pain felt in the abdomen can vary greatly.

Children may feel stomach pain for a range of reasons and may need treatment.

Gastritis, inflammation of the stomach lining, may be caused by many factors including infection, alcohol, particular medications and some allergic and immune conditions.

Both reducible and non-reducible hernias need to be surgically repaired - this is a common operation.

Peritonitis is a life-threatening emergency that needs prompt medical treatment.

The symptoms of stomach cancer are usually vague and can be common to other medical conditions.

Most stomach ulcers are caused by infection or medication, not stress or poor diet.