Is It a Stomach Bug or Food Poisoning?
You’ve probably heard people talking about the stomach bug or stomach flu going around at work or your child’s school. But what exactly is it? The technical term for this sickness is viral gastroenteritis, which is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Food poisoning is different. It’s more common than the stomach bug. …
What is bacterial gastroenteritis?
Bacterial gastroenteritis happens when bacteria causes an infection in your gut. This causes inflammation in your stomach and intestines. You may also experience symptoms like vomiting, severe abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. While viruses cause many gastrointestinal infections, bacterial infections are also common. Some people call this infection “food poisoning.” Bacterial gastroenteritis can result from …
What Causes Lactose Intolerance?
Lactose intolerance is the inability to break down a type of natural sugar called lactose. Lactose is commonly found in dairy products, such as milk and yogurt. A person becomes lactose intolerant when his or her small intestine stops making enough of the enzyme lactase to digest and break down the lactose. …
What Causes Abdominal Bloating?
Abdominal bloating occurs when the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is filled with air or gas. Most people describe bloating as feeling full, tight, or swollen in the abdomen. Your abdomen may also be swollen (distended), hard, and painful. Bloating is often accompanied by: pain excessive gas (flatulence) frequent burping or belching …
Low-calorie sweeteners may promote metabolic syndrome
Around 34 percent of adults in the United States have metabolic syndome, the umbrella term for: high blood pressure; high blood sugar; high cholesterol levels; and abdominal fat. We know that metabolic syndrome doubles the risk of heart disease and disease of the blood vessels, putting individuals at risk of heart disease and stroke. People with metabolic …
What is triple X syndrome?
Triple X is a chromosomal abnormality that affects approximately 1 in 1,000 women and girls. Normally, a female has two X chromosomes, one from her father and one from her mother. A female with triple X syndrome has three X chromosomes. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) 5-10 girls with …
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome tends to affect women more than men. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and Gulf War illness (GWI) share many symptoms, among which are muscle pain, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, disrupted sleep, sore throat, headaches, and general malaise after physical exercise. CFS has long been mistaken for a mental healthdisorder. In 2015, a National Academy of Medicine-led …
What is Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome?
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a thiamine (vitamin B-1) deficiency. It is commonly linked to high consumption of alcohol over a period of time, but severe intestinal problems, cancer, and malnutrition are also causes. Experts argue whether Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) is two separate but linked disorders, or if it is …
What is Cushing’s syndrome?
Cushing’s syndrome is a rare but complex hormonal condition that can happen when a person’s cortisol levels are too high. Its effects on the body are wide-ranging. It is a serious disorder, and it can be fatal. The most common symptoms include a thinning of the skin, weight gain, bruising, high …
What is Sturge-Weber syndrome?
Sturge-Weber syndrome is a congenital disorder that affects the skin, the neurological system, and sometimes the eyes. It is not curable, but it is not fatal. It is also known as encephalotrigeminal angiomatosis, encephalofacial angiomatosis, or Sturge-Weber-Dimitri syndrome. A person who has Sturge-Weber syndrome is born with it. The cause …
