HealthyLife Articles

Category: Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

Kidney Stones

Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

Kidney stones are hard masses of mineral deposits formed in the kidney(s). They can be as small as a tiny pebble or an inch or more across. They are more common in men.

Kidney Stones

Signs & Symptoms

Some kidney stones cause no symptoms. Small ones can be passed, without pain, when you urinate. When symptoms occur, they include:

* Crampy pain that comes and goes. The pain starts in the lower back, travels down the side of the abdomen, and into the groin area. The pain can be severe.

* Bloody, cloudy, or dark-colored urine.

* You may need to pass urine often. You may pass only small amounts of urine. You may only be able to pass urine in certain positions.

* Nausea and vomiting. Fever and chills (if an infection is also present).

Causes

* Too much calcium in the urine or in the blood.

* High levels of uric acid in the blood.

* A diet high in oxalic acid. This is in spinach, leafy vegetables, rhubarb, and coffee.

* Repeated urinary tract infections.

* Mild dehydration that persists.

* Family history of kidney stones.

* Living in certain parts of the U.S. Areas of the southeast have the highest rates.

In some cases, the cause is not known.

Treatment

If the stone is small and can be passed in the urine, treatment may be just drinking plenty of fluids. For stones too large to be passed, lithotripsy using ultrasound is a common treatment. With this, shock waves are directed to the stone location and break the stone into fragments. Drinking fluids helps flush the fragments from the person’s system.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Drink lots of fluids. Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water a day.

* Eat a well-balanced diet. Vary food choices.

* Save any stone you pass in your urine. Take it to your doctor. Its contents can be analyzed. Follow your doctor’s advice to prevent and treat kidney stones.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Colon & Rectal Cancers

Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

The colon and rectum form the large bowel. The colon is the upper 5 to 6 feet. The rectum is the last 6 to 8 inches. When abnormal cells grow in the colon, a cancerous tumor may form. Colon tumors grow slowly. They may get big and block the bowel.

Signs & Symptoms

Colon and rectal cancers can occur without clear symptoms. For this reason, screening is important. When symptoms occur, they include:

* A change in bowel habits for 2 or more weeks or constipation or diarrhea for 1 or more weeks.

* Frequent gas pains, cramps, bloating, or feelings of fullness in the abdomen

* Red or dark blood in or on the stool or rectal bleeding. Pencil thin stools.

* Fatigue and/or iron deficiency anemia in men and older women

* A feeling that the bowel does not empty completely

* Weight loss for no known reason

Causes, Risk Factors & Care

Risk factors for colon and rectal cancers:

* Polyps (benign growths that can become cancerous over time). Most colon and rectal cancers develop from polyps.

* Family history of colon or rectal cancer. Unless it is treated, an inherited condition called Familial Polyposis puts a person at a very high risk.

* Having ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.

* Aging. Colon and rectal cancers occur most often in people over age 50.

* Smoking. Heavy alcohol use.

* Eating a diet high in animal fat and low in fiber

* Lack of exercise and/or being very overweight

Finding and treating the cancer early is vital. Treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Self-Care / Prevention

Self-Care:

* Schedule and go to follow-up exams.

* Join a cancer support group.

* Follow a high fiber, low-fat diet. Eat whole-grain breads and cereals. Have at least 5 servings of vegetables and fruits a day.

Prevention

Colon and rectal cancers are completely curable if found early. Have screening tests as advised by your doctor.

* High-sensitivity fecal occult blood test

* Flexible sigmoidoscopy

* Colonoscopy

How often testing needs to be done depends on the test(s) given. {Note: If you have a family history of colon polyps or colon or rectal cancers, screening tests may need to be started sooner than age 50.}

* Have colon polyps removed.

* Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Limit fat.

When to Seek Medical Care

Contact Doctor When:

* You have any symptoms of colon and rectal cancer listed on this page.

* You need to schedule screening tests for colon and rectal cancer. Follow the schedule your doctor advises.

Resources

The National Cancer Institute

800.4.CANCER (422-6237)

www.cancer.gov

The American Cancer Society

800.227.2345

www.cancer.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Lactose Intolerance

Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

Lactose is the natural sugar in milk. A person with lactose intolerance lacks enough of the enzyme, lactase, to digest this sugar.

Signs & Symptoms

* Nausea.

* Cramps.

* Bloating.

* Gas.

* Diarrhea.

These symptoms start about 30 minutes to 2 hours after you eat or drink foods with lactose.

Causes

* The body can’t make the enzyme lactase. This can occur from birth or over time.

* Digestive diseases.

* Injury to the small intestine.

Asian Americans, African Americans, and American Indians are more prone to lactose intolerance.

Treatment

Symptoms can be controlled with self-care measures.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Eat fewer dairy foods. Some people with lactose intolerance can tolerate dairy foods if they have small amounts at a time.

* Have lactose-free dairy products. Have ones that reduce lactose with bacterial cultures. Examples are buttermilk, yogurt, and acidophilus milks.

* Take over-the-counter drops or pills that have the enzyme lactase when you have dairy foods.

* If the above measures don’t help, don’t have products with milk, milk solids, and dairy whey. Have soy milk instead. Products marked “parve” are milk free.

* Read food labels. Many food products contain small amounts of lactose. These include bread and other baked goods, instant mashed potatoes, breakfast and diet drinks and bars, and mixes for biscuits, cookies, and pancakes.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Constipation

Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

Constipation is having trouble passing stool or having hard stools. “Regularity” does not mean that you have a bowel movement every day. Normal bowel habits range from 3 movements a day to 3 each week. What is more important is what is normal for you.

Signs & Symptoms

* A hard time passing stool. Not being able to pass stool. Having very hard stool.

* Straining to have a bowel movement.

* Abdominal swelling. The feeling of continued fullness after passing stool.

Causes

* Drinking too few fluids. Not eating enough dietary fiber.

* Not being active enough.

* Not going to the bathroom when you have the urge to pass stool.

* Misuse of laxatives.

* A side effect of some heart, pain, and antidepressant medicines, as well as, antacids, antihistamines, and water pills.

* Chronic illnesses that slow the digestive tract. Examples are diabetes and an underactive thyroid.

* Cancer or other diseases of the bowel.

Treatment

Self-care usually treats constipation. You may also need to talk to your doctor about health problems and medicines that could cause the problem.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Eat foods high in dietary fiber. Examples are bran, whole-grain breads and cereals, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

* Drink at least 1-1/2 to 2 quarts fluids every day. Have hot water, tea, etc. to stimulate the bowel.

* Get enough exercise.

* Don’t resist the urge to pass stool.

* If you take antacids or iron supplements and get constipated easily, discuss the use of these with your doctor.

* Take stool softeners (e.g., Colace), fiber supplements (e.g., Metamucil), “stimulant” laxatives (e.g., Ex-Lax), or enemas, as directed on the label and by your doctor.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Peptic Ulcers

Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

A peptic ulcer is a sore in the stomach or first part of the small bowel.

Peptic Ulcers

Signs & Symptoms

* A gnawing or burning pain is felt in the abdomen between the breastbone and navel. The pain often occurs between meals and in the early hours of the morning. It may last from a few minutes to a few hours and may be relieved with eating or antacids.

* Appetite and weight loss.

* Nausea or vomiting dark, red blood or material that looks like coffee grounds.

* Bloody, black, or tarry stools.

* Paleness and weakness if anemia is present.

Causes

* An infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria. This is the main cause.

* The repeated use of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium.

A small percentage of peptic ulcers are caused by Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome. With this rare disorder, the body makes excess acid.

Family history, smoking, caffeine, and making excess digestive acids play a role in peptic ulcers. So does stress, especially some types of physical stress (e.g., severe burns and major surgery).

Treatment

Treatment includes medicines to treat the problem and surgery, if needed.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Take medications as prescribed.

* Eat healthy foods. Include foods high in fiber.

* Don’t have coffee (regular and decaffeinated); tea and soft drinks with caffeine; and fruit juices high in acid like tomato juice. Don’t have alcohol or foods that bother you.

* Don’t use aspirin and other NSAIDs. Follow your doctor’s advice for prescribed NSAIDs.

* Try over-the-counter antacids or acid controllers (with your doctor’s okay). Use them on a short-term basis. Don’t try to self- medicate an ulcer.

* Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Crohn’S Disease

Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

Help for an Inflammatory Bowel Disorder

The lower section of your small intestine is called the ileum. It’s connected to your colon. When the ileum (and sometimes the colon) becomes chronically inflamed, the condition is called Crohn’s disease. Early symptoms include:

* Cramps and pain on the lower right side of the abdomen, usually after a meal.

* Diarrhea.

* Slight fever.

* Nausea.

* Loss of appetite and weight loss.

* Sores in the anal area. At times, rectal bleeding. Joint pains.

* Fatigue.

Most cases of Crohn’s disease are diagnosed in persons younger than 30, but can occur in persons older, too.

Crohn’s disease tends to run in families and is more common among Caucasians, especially Europeans and people of Jewish heritage. (Doctors also suspect environmental factors may be partially to blame.)

Crohn’s disease is quite unpredictable: It comes and goes, triggering attacks off and on for months or years. Nevertheless, treatment is fairly successful and consists of medications – usually aspirin-like drugs, corticosteroids, immune modifiers, and possibly antibiotics, should an infection occur. Doctors recommend bed rest, especially during severe attacks, use of a heating pad to relieve abdominal cramps, and drinking as many liquids as possible to prevent dehydration.

(About 70 percent of those with Crohn’s disease undergo surgery. But it’s usually not a cure: Crohn’s tends to recur in another portion of the intestine.)

Certain foods like milk, eggs, or wheat may irritate the intestines, and avoiding these foods in all forms seems to help control flare-ups (although it doesn’t cure the condition). Avoid drinking alcohol-it, too, irritates your system. As for other dietary measures, a diet high in vitamins, protein, and carbohydrates and low in fiber is standard treatment.

Note: Crohn’s disease can mimic other intestinal diseases and can only be diagnosed by a physician. If you experience any of the symptoms described, get medical attention.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Rectal Problems

Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

The rectum is the lowest part of the large bowel (colon). The opening of the rectum is the anus. Stool are passed from the anus.

Signs & Symptoms

* Rectal pain.

* Rectal bleeding.

* Anal itching.

* Redness, swelling, or a rash in the rectal area.

Causes

Often there is no clear cause. Persons with diabetes and liver disease are more prone to rectal itching.

For Anal / Rectal Pain and/or Bleeding

* Constipation. Straining to pass stool. Hemorrhoids.

* Anal fissures. These are splits or tears in the skin around the anus.

* Polyps or small growths.

* Injury due to anal intercourse or the insertion of a foreign object.

* Blockage in the intestines.

* Colon or rectal cancer.

For Anal / Rectal Itching

* Dry skin. Products that irritate or cause a skin allergy in the anal area. Examples are over-the-counter anesthetic ointments that end in “caine,” such as benzocaine.

* Hemorrhoids.

* Psoriasis. This is a chronic skin disease. With this, itchy, scaly red patches form on a part of the body.

* Pinworms. These are intestinal parasites. They usually affect children. The anal itching is at night and can be painful.

* A fungal infection.

Treatment

Treatment for rectal problems depends on the cause. Any sign of rectal bleeding should be evaluated by a doctor. This includes blood on toilet paper. Colon cancer should be checked for, despite the person’s age or family history of this disease.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

For Anal / Rectal Bleeding

* Don’t lift heavy things.

* Stop taking anti-inflammatory medicines and/or aspirin (unless prescribed and monitored by your doctor).

* Don’t strain to pass stool.

For Anal / Rectal Itching

* Practice good hygiene. Clean the rectal area daily.

* Use an over-the-counter ointment, such as one with zinc oxide or one for hemorrhoids, such as Preparation H. Follow package directions.

* Wear clothes and undergarments that fit loosely.

* Take a warm bath or sitz bath. A sitz bath is a shallow, warm water bath. You can get a sitz bath device from a medical supply company and some drug stores. Then dry the rectal area well. Use talcum powder, as needed.

* Take warm tub baths.

* Lose weight if you are overweight.

* If you are diabetic, keep blood sugar under control.

* For pinworms:

– Check for pinworms in this way: In a dark room, a few hours after bedtime, shine a flashlight on the anus. Pinworms, if present, will go back into the anus when the flashlight is shined on them.

– Wash the hands often.

– Keep fingernails closely trimmed.

– Try to get your child to not suck his thumb and not bite his nails.

– Wash underwear and bed linen in hot soapy water.

– If medication for pinworms is prescribed, use it as directed.

For Rectal Pain

* Take warm baths.

* Use a warm water sitz bath for 15 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day.

* Put towels soaked in warm water on the anal area. Or, apply a cold compress to the painful area, if this helps with the pain. You can buy a sitz bath from a medical supply or drug store.

* Follow measures to prevent constipation.

* Don’t strain to pass stool.

* Keep the rectal area clean.

* Use soft, plain, unscented, two-ply toilet paper. Take your own toilet paper to work or other places that may use harsh paper. Use wet, not dry, toilet paper, if that helps.

* Use an over-the-counter wipe, such as Tucks, after using toilet paper.

* Don’t sit for long periods of time. When you do sit, raise your legs, as often as you can.

* If needed, take an over-the-counter medicine for pain as directed.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Diarrhea

Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

Diarrhea occurs when body wastes are discharged from the bowel more often and in a more liquid state than usual.

Signs & Symptoms

* Frequent watery, loose stools.

* Cramping or pain in the abdomen.

Causes

Common causes are infections that affect the digestive system, food allergies, overuse of laxatives or alcohol, and taking some antibiotics. Diarrhea is also a symptom of lactose intolerance, diverticulitis, food poisoning, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Treatment

Self-care usually treats diarrhea. The goal is to replace lost fluids and minerals to prevent dehydration.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* If vomiting is also present, treat for vomiting first.

* To prevent dehydration:

– Drink plenty of water and other fluids, such as sports drinks, broths, and Kool-Aid (which usually has less sugar than soda).

– Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.

– Avoid having high “simple” sugar drinks, like apple juice, grape juice, and sodas. These can make the diarrhea persist. Or, dilute juices and sodas with water.

If you have signs of dehydration seek medical care. Until you get care, drink fluids:

* Broths and sports drinks.

* For children less than 2 years old, give over- the-counter mixtures, such as Pedialyte as advised by their doctors.

* If you breast-feed, give only as much milk as your baby wants. Feed every 2 hours.

* Avoid caffeine and alcohol.

* Choose foods that don’t upset your stomach.

* Do not have foods that are greasy, high in fiber, or very sweet.

* Avoid milk, but try yogurt that has live cultures of lactobacillus acidophilus (unless you are lactose intolerant).

* Follow a light diet. Eat foods that are easy to digest, such as:

– Bananas.

– Plain rice.

– Boiled potatoes.

– Toast.

– Crackers.

– Cooked carrots.

– Baked chicken without the skin or fat.

– Soups with vegetables and noodles or rice.

* Don’t exercise too hard.

* Adults can try an over-the-counter medicine, such as Imodium A-D or Pepto-Bismol. Follow the directions on the label. {Note: Stools can become black after taking Pepto- Bismol. Also, do not give aspirin or any medication that has salicylates, such as Pepto- Bismol, to anyone under 19 years of age, due to the link to Reye’s syndrome.}

* Wash your hands after you go to the toilet and before you prepare food. Use paper towels to dry your hands. Throw the towels away.

Resources

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)www2.niddk.nih.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Urinary Incontinence

Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

Urinary incontinence means you lose bladder control or can’t store urine like you should. This problem is not a normal part of aging. It often affects older persons because muscles used in bladder control don’t work as well with aging.

Signs, Symptoms & Causes

For Acute Incontinence

This form comes on suddenly. Often, it is a symptom of a new illness or problem. Examples are a bladder infection, diabetes (new or out-of- control), and inflammation of the prostate, urethra, or vagina. It can also be a side effect of some medicines, such as water pills.

This form is often easily reversed when the problem that caused it is treated.

For Persistent Incontinence

This form comes on gradually over time. It lingers or remains, even after other problems have been treated. There are many types of this form. The ones below cause 80% of cases.

* Stress Incontinence. Urine leaks out when there is a sudden rise in pressure in the abdomen. This can happen when you cough, sneeze, laugh, lift, jump, run, or strain to pass stool. This type is more common in women than in men.

* Urge Incontinence. With this type, the urge to pass urine is so strong and comes on so fast, that the urine is released before you can get to the toilet. This type can be caused by an enlarged prostate gland, a spinal cord injury, or an illness, such as Parkinson’s disease.

* Mixed Incontinence. This type is a mix of stress and urge types of incontinence.

* Overflow Incontinence. This is the constant dribbling of urine because the bladder overfills. This may be due to an enlarged prostate, diabetes, or multiple sclerosis.

* Functional Incontinence. With this type, you have trouble getting to the bathroom fast enough, even though you have bladder control. This can happen in a person who is physically challenged.

* Total Incontinence. This is a rare type with complete loss of bladder control. Urine leakage can be constant.

Treatment

The first step is to find out if another problem causes the incontinence and to treat that problem. Other treatments include:

* Pelvic floor exercises, called Kegel exercises. (SeeSelf-Care/Prevention.)

* Medication.

* Collagen injections. These treat a certain type of stress incontinence.

* Surgery, as needed, to correct the problem.

Overactive Bladder

With this condition, you have at least 2 of these problems:

* An urgency to pass urine.

* Urge incontinence.

* You pass urine 8 or more times a day and 2 or more times during night.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Don’t have caffeine. Limit or avoid fluids 2 to 3 hours before bedtime.

* Limit carbonated drinks, alcohol, citrus juices, greasy and spicy foods, and items with artificial sweeteners.

* Empty your bladder before you leave the house, take a nap, or go to bed.

* Go to the bathroom often, even if you don’t feel the urge. When you pass urine, empty the bladder as much as you can. Relax for 1 to 2 minutes. Then try to pass urine again.

* Keep a diary of when you leak urine. If you find that you have accidents every 3 hours, empty your bladder every 2 hours. Use an alarm clock or wristwatch with an alarm to remind you.

* Wear clothes you can pull down easily when you use the bathroom. Wear elastic-waist bottoms. Wear items with velcro closures or snaps instead of buttons and zippers.

* Wear absorbent pads or briefs, if needed.

* Keep the pathway to your bathroom free of clutter and well lit. Leave the bathroom door open until you use it. Use a night light in the bathroom when it is dark.

* Use an elevated toilet seat and grab bars if these will make it easier for you to get on and off the toilet.

* Keep a bedpan, plastic urinal (for men), or portable commode chair near your bed.

* Ask your doctor if your type of incontinence could be managed by using self-catheters. These help to empty your bladder all the way. A doctor needs to prescribe self-catheters.

Kegel Exercises

* Kegel exercises are pelvic floor exercises. These help treat or cure stress incontinence. Persons who have leaked urine for years can benefit greatly from these exercises. How do you do them?

* First, start to urinate, then hold back and try to stop. If you can slow the stream of urine, you are using the right muscles. You should feel muscles squeeze around the urethra and the anus. The urethra is the tube through which urine is passed. The anus is the opening through which stool is passed.

* Next, relax your body, and close your eyes. Imagine that you are going to pass urine, but hold back from doing so. You should feel the muscles squeeze like you did in the step before this one.

* Squeeze the muscles for 3 seconds. Then relax them for 3 seconds. When you squeeze and relax, count slowly. Start out doing this 3 times a day. Gradually work up to 3 sets of 10 contractions. Hold each one for 10 seconds at a time. You can do them when you lie down, and/or stand.

* When you do these exercises, do not tense the muscles in your belly or buttocks. Do not hold your breath, clench your fists or teeth, or make a face.

* Squeeze your pelvic floor muscles right before and during whatever it is (coughing, sneezing, jumping, etc.) that causes you to lose urine. Relax the muscles once the activity is over.

* Women can also use pelvic weights prescribed by their doctor. A women inserts a weighted cone into the vagina and squeezes the correct muscles to keep the weight from falling out.

It may take several months to benefit from pelvic floor exercises. They should be done daily.

Resources

National Association for Continence (NAFC)

800.BLADDER (252.3337)

www.nafc.org

Urology Care Foundation

www.urologyhealth.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Diverticulosis & Diverticulitis

Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

Diverticulosis in Colon

Sometimes small pouches bulge outward through weak spots in the colon. This is called diverticulosis. The pockets (called diverticula) can fill with intestinal waste. With diverticulitis, these pockets and areas around them get inflamed or infected.

Signs & Symptoms

For Diverticulosis

Often this has no symptoms. Some persons may have:

* Mild cramps.

* Bloating

* Constipation.

* Blood in the stool.

For Diverticulitis

* Severe cramping and bloating in the abdomen, usually on the lower left side. The pain is made worse with a bowel movement.

* Tenderness over the abdomen.

* Nausea.

* Fever.

Causes

A low fiber diet is thought to be the main cause. Constipation and overuse of laxatives may also play a role.

Treatment

Diverticulitis needs medical treatment. Diverticulosis can’t be cured, but self-care measures can reduce symptoms and prevent serious problems.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Get regular exercise. Drink 1-1/2 to 2 quarts of water daily. Eat a diet high in fiber, but avoid foods that bother you (e.g., corn, nuts, etc.).

* Avoid the regular use of “stimulant” laxatives, such as Ex-Lax. Ask your doctor about taking bulk-forming laxatives like Metamucil.

* Try not to strain when you have bowel movements.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026