Osteoporosis is a condition that affects the bones in our body as we age. Osteoporosis is a Latin word meaning “porous bones.” Small spaces inside a healthy bone increase osteoporosis, leading to loss of bone strength and density.1 Osteoporosis occurs at old age and approximately 53 million people are either suffering from osteoporosis or are […]
Ostomy is a surgical procedure that creates an opening in the abdominal wall created for waste removal.1 It helps aid in the treatment of digestive tract and urinary tract diseases. An ostomy can be permanent or temporary.2 Permanent: Used when an organ from the digestive tract is removed. Temporary: Used when an organ in the
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The pancreas is located deep in the abdomen behind the stomach. It is often referred to as a “hidden organ.” It is around 6–8 inches long in an average adult. The organ contains thin tubes that join to form an opening in the small intestine. The pancreas produces pancreatic juice and certain enzymes necessary for
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Peptic ulcers are the sores that develop inside the stomach, esophagus or small intestine and are caused by Helicobacter pylori infection, alcohol use, and some medications.1 Non-ulcer dyspepsia: Also called functional dyspepsia, non-ulcer dyspepsia is a painful feeling in the upper abdomen due to an unknown cause.2 Gastroscopy or endoscopy tests show no apparent signs
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Sodium is an essential mineral that performs vital functions in the body. Sodium plays a major role in fluid balance in the body.1 Sodium balance is necessary because excess sodium leads to extra water retention in the body, which may be problematic for those with high blood pressure and heart disease. In such patients, sodium
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A clear liquid diet is a special diet that consists of clear fluids such as broth, plant gelatin, and water that are easily absorbed, leaving no undigested residues in the intestine. Your physician may prescribe you a clear liquid diet before certain medical procedures(1) such as a colonoscopy study, or in certain GI tract diseases
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[1] Dysphagia is a term that means difficulty swallowing food and/or liquids properly. The diet for dysphagia involves five various levels of difficulty in swallowing, which we will detail below. It is crucial to know the process of swallowing to understand dysphagia. First and foremost, it is important for all individuals to chew food slowly
Gastric bypass is a common surgery for weight loss in which the size of the stomach is reduced1. Surgery can reduce the stomach size from one quart to one ounce2. Due to such a drastic reduction in size, gastric bypass can result in sudden weight loss, as patients often experience loss of appetite. Dietary management
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Probiotics are bacteria and yeast supplements that benefit the digestive tract.1 Bacteria are usually seen in a negative light as something that makes us sick. However, not all types of bacteria cause illness in the body. Probiotics are good bacteria that help keep the gut healthy and safe. Apart from a healthy gut, probiotics fight
Primary biliary cholangitis, formerly called primary biliary cirrhosis, is any damage to the bile ducts in the liver.1 Bile ducts are small channels carrying bile from the liver to the small intestine. In the intestine, the bile helps digest fats through emulsification. Bile also helps absorb fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. If
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