Diets, Conditions & Procedures
Diverticulosis & Diverticulitis »
To understand diverticulosis, it is helpful to know about the anatomy and function of the intestine. The small intestine is…
Diarrhea »
Everyone has diarrhea at one time or another and everyone has their own idea of exactly what diarrhea is. Is…
Crohn’s Disease »
Crohn’s disease is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory disease of the intestinal tract. The intestinal tract has four major parts: the…
Constipation »
Constipation can be defined as infrequent or hard pellet stools, or difficulty in evacuating stool. Passing one or more soft,…
Colon Polyps and Cancer »
Cancer of the colon is a major health problem in the United States. It ranks as a leading form of…
Cirrhosis »
The liver is a large organ that sits in the right upper abdomen, just under the right lung. It is…
Celiac Disease »
Celiac Disease (CD) is a disease of the lining of the small intestine. This part of the bowel lies between…
Barrett’s Esophagus »
Heartburn is a burning sensation felt behind the breastbone and sometimes in the neck and throat. It is caused by…
Autoimmune Hepatitis »
The liver is the largest organ in the body. It is found high in the right upper abdomen, behind the…
Anal Fissure, Abscess and Fistula »
The intestinal tract (or bowel) ends with the rectum. The last part of the rectum is a section about 1…
Prebiotics »
A prebiotic is not a probiotic. Most people now know that a probiotic is a bacteria which is put in…
Probiotics »
Probiotics are a relatively new field in nutrition and in our specialty of gastroenterology. A probiotic is one or more…
Dietary Supplements »
In the distant past, medicine, religion and the priesthood were intertwined. In most civilizations studied, the priest was the medicine…
Aspirin, Hormones and Others »
Aspirin is an incredible chemical with many useful benefits in the medical field. It is a true herb, originally coming…
Herbs »
The word, herb, can mean almost anything that grows that has medicine or food flavoring value. The use of herbs…
Minerals »
Do you remember the Periodic Table in your high school chemistry class? It listed all the natural elements and minerals…
Vitamins »
The word vitamin is imbued with almost miraculous, mystical qualities. Can there be anything wrong with something if it is…
Weight Loss »
Why Weight? It’s reflected in the mirror, in the numbers creeping up on the scale and in the tight waistband…
Vitamin K Regulated Diet »
Vitamin K is essential for the proper formation of blood clots in the body. The K in vitamin K, which…
Vegetarian Diet »
Many people will choose vegetarian diets for personal, health, or religious reasons. On a strict vegetarian or vegan diet, only…
Ulcerative Colitis Diet »
You should understand that all treatment, including diet therapy for ulcerative colitis, must start with a solid partnership with your…
Soft and Mechanical Soft Diet »
The soft diet serves as a transition from liquids to a regular diet for individuals who are recovering from surgery…
Reduced Sodium Diet »
Sodium is essential to the body. It is a mineral that helps the body regulate fluid balance. Under certain conditions,…
Pyramid Diet »
A healthy diet plays a major role in keeping the body fit and preventing illness. Based on medical research, a…
Colostomy, Ileostomy, Rectal Pouch Diets »
Surgery is often needed to treat certain conditions of the colon (large bowel). Sometimes the surgeon must make an opening…
Osteoporosis »
Calcium is essential to the body. It is the most common mineral in the body and is needed in tiny…
Nutrition for Older Adults »
Some things you never outgrow–like your need for healthful eating. Good nutrition is important at every stage of life, from…
Peptic Ulcer Disease and Non Ulcer Dyspepsia Diet »
A diet that avoids stomach irritants is for those patients who suffer from symptoms of peptic ulcer disease or non-ulcer…
Mediterranean Diet »
A well-planned diet plays a major role in keeping the body fit and preventing illness. In the United States, the…
Low Protein Diet »
Protein is a nutrient needed by the body for normal growth, wound healing, and the ability to fight infection. People…
Low Fiber/Low Residue Diet »
Dietary fiber is the undigestible part of plants that maintains the structure of the plant. Dietary fiber includes cellulose, hemicellulose,…
Low Fat Diet »
For a regular healthy diet, it is recommended that of the total calories eaten, no more than 30% should come…
Low Cholesterol Diet »
Fat is a major energy source for the body. However, it is not the body’s only source of energy. Too…
Lactose-Free Low-Lactose Diet »
Lactose is the simple sugar found in milk and milk products. It can also be found in a variety of…
Kidney Stone Diet »
Almost everyone knows someone who has had kidney stones. The kidneys filter the blood to remove excess mineral salts and…
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diet »
IBS is a very common disorder. Please refer to the essay Irritable Bowel Syndrome for details about this disorder. This…
Increasing Calories »
Increasing calories may be recommended for persons who are underweight, athletes who want to gain weight to enhance performance or…
Hypoglycemia »
Hypoglycemia is the term for a blood glucose level that is lower than normal. When foods are digested in the…
High/Low Iron Diet »
Iron is a mineral essential for life. Found in red blood cells, iron’s primary role is to carry oxygen from…
High Blood Pressure Diet »
Diseases of the heart and blood vessels are the number one cause of death in the United States. People with…
Gluten-Free Diet »
Gluten is the protein part of wheat, rye, barley, and other related grains. Some people cannot tolerate gluten when it…
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Diet »
The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. However, it is not just a…
Gastroparesis Diet for Delayed Stomach Emptying »
Gastroparesis is the medical term for delayed stomach emptying. During the process of digestion, the stomach must contract to empty…
Gastric Bypass Diet »
Gastric bypass is a type of surgery in which the stomach is reduced in size by one of several methods….
Full Liquid Diet »
The full liquid diet is often used as a step between a clear liquid diet and a regular diet, for…
High Fiber Diet »
What is Dietary Fiber? All fiber comes from plants, bushes, vines or trees. Of course, the ones that we eat…