HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Abdominal & Urinary

Gallstones

Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

The gallbladder stores bile. This substance helps digest fats. Gallstones form when bile hardens into pieces of stone-like material. These deposit in the gallbladder or bile ducts (which carry bile to the small intestine). The stones can range in size from less than a pinhead to 3 inches across.

Signs & Symptoms

* Feeling bloated and gassy, especially after eating fried or fatty foods.

* Steady pain in the upper right abdomen lasting 20 minutes to 5 hours.

* Pain between the shoulder blades or in the right shoulder.

* Indigestion. Nausea. Vomiting. Severe abdominal pain with fever. Sometimes a yellow color to the skin and/or the whites of the eyes.

{Note: Gallstone symptoms can be hard to tell apart from heart-related or other serious problems. A doctor should evaluate any new symptoms.}

Gallstones

Causes

* Ethnic background (i.e., Native Americans) and family history of gallstones. Being middle age.

* Obesity. Very rapid weight loss.

* Being female. Having had many pregnancies. Taking estrogen.

* Having diabetes. Having diseases of the small intestine.

Treatment

* A low-fat diet.

* Surgery to remove the gallbladder. This is the most common treatment. You can still digest foods without a gallbladder.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Avoid high-fat foods. Don’t eat large meals.

* Get to and stay at a healthy body weight. If you are overweight, lose weight slowly (1 to 1-1/2 pounds per week). Do not follow a rapid weight loss diet unless under strict medical guidance.

* Eat a high fiber, low-fat diet.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Understanding Your Gallbladder

MEDICAL NEWS

The hardest working digestive helper might well be your gallbladder, a pear-sized organ that sits just under the liver and next to the pancreas.

The gallbladder stores bile, a thick liquid that’s produced by the liver to help digest fat. When you eat, the gallbladder’s thin, muscular lining squeezes bile into the small intestine through the main bile duct. The more fat you eat, the more bile the gallbladder injects into the digestive tract.

Bile has a delicate chemical balance. It’s full of soluble cholesterol produced by the liver. This is a different type of cholesterol than the kind related to cardiovascular disease. If the chemical balance of bile gets slightly off, the cholesterol can crystalize and stick to the wall of the gallbladder. Over time, these crystals can combine and form gallstones.

Gallstones can range from the size of a grain of sand to that of a golf ball. When the gallbladder injects bile into the small intestine, the main bile duct can become blocked by these stones. That may cause pressure, pain, and nausea, especially after eating meals.

Gallstones can cause sudden pain in the upper-right abdomen, called a gallbladder attack. In most cases, though, people with gallstones don’t realize they have them.

The causes of gallstones are unclear, but you’re more likely to have gallstone problems if you have too much body fat, especially around your waist, or if you’re losing weight very quickly.

If left untreated, a blocked main bile duct and gallbladder can become infected and lead to a life-threatening situation. A surgeon can remove the gallbladder. You can live normally without it.

Symptoms of a gallstone attack

Talk with your doctor if you have:

* Severe pain in the upper-right side of the abdomen that starts suddenly and lasts from 30 minutes to many hours

* Pain under the right shoulder or in the right shoulder blade

* Indigestion after eating foods high in fat or protein, including desserts and fried foods

Seek help right away if you have these signs of a serious attack:

* Abdominal pain that lasts more than 5 hours

* Nausea and vomiting

* Fever or chills

* Yellowish color of the skin or the whites of the eyes

* Dark urine or light-colored stools

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Heartburn & Indigestion

Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

Heartburn has nothing to do with the heart. It involves the esophagus and the stomach. The esophagus passes behind the breastbone alongside the heart. The irritation that takes place there feels like a burning feeling in the heart. Indigestion is a general term for discomfort in the abdomen that comes after eating.

Signs & Symptoms

* A burning feeling behind the breastbone occurs after eating.

* Chest pain is felt when you bend over or lie down.

* Your mouth has a bitter, hot, or sour taste.

Causes

Gastric acids from the stomach splash back up into the lower portion of the esophagus. This causes pain. The medical term for this is gastroesophageal reflex disease (GERD). The digestive acids don’t harm the stomach. It has a coating to protect it. The esophagus doesn’t. Acids there cause pain.

Common Heartburn Triggers

* Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, arthritis medicine, or corticosteroids.

* Heavy meals. Eating too fast. Chocolate. Garlic. Onions. Peppermint. Tomatoes and citrus fruits.

* Smoking or lying down after eating.

* Drinking alcohol or coffee (regular or decaffeinated).

* Being very overweight.

* Wearing tight clothing.

* Swallowing too much air.

* Stress.

* Hiatal hernia.

* Pregnancy.

Treatment

Self-care treats most cases of this common problem. Heartburn symptoms can be confused, though, with ones of a heart attack or other medical problems.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Sit straight while you eat. Stand up or walk around after you eat. Bending over or lying down after you eat makes it too easy for stomach acids to move up to the esophagus.

* Don’t smoke.

* Lose weight if you are overweight.

* If heartburn bothers you at night, raise the head of the bed. Put the head of your bed up on 6-inch blocks. You can also buy a special wedge that is made to be placed between the mattress and box spring. Don’t just prop your head up with pillows. This makes the problem worse by putting pressure on your stomach.

* Don’t wear garments that fit tight around the abdomen.

* Eat small meals. Limit alcohol.

* Limit foods and drinks with air. Examples are whipped cream and carbonated drinks.

* Don’t eat or drink for 2 to 3 hours before bedtime.

* If you take aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, or arthritis medicines, take them with food.

* If other treatments fail, take antacids, such as Tums. If these don’t bring relief, take an over-the-counter acid controller, such as Pepcid AC, Tagamet HB, etc. These prevent and relieve heartburn. {Note: Read labels before taking antacids or acid controllers. Check with your doctor, too. Adverse side effects are more likely and more severe in older persons who take some acid controllers, such as Tagamet HB.}

* Don’t take baking soda. It is high in sodium and is not effective.

Resources

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

www.niddk.nih.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Hemorrhoids

Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

Hemorrhoids are veins in or outside of the anus that may become dilated or swollen.

Signs & Symptoms

* Bright red blood on or in the stool, on toilet paper, or in the toilet.

* Anal or rectal tenderness. Anal itching.

* Uncomfortable, painful bowel movements, especially with straining.

* A lump can be felt at the anus.

* Mucus passes from the anus.

Causes

Hemorrhoids are usually caused by repeated pressure in the rectal or anal veins. Often this is due to repeated straining to pass stool. The risk for getting hemorrhoids increases with:

* Prolonged sitting on the toilet and straining to have a bowel movement.

* Constipation.

* A low dietary fiber intake.

* Obesity.

* Pregnancy.

Treatment

Hemorrhoids are common. They are not likely to be a serious health problem. Most people have some bleeding from them once in a while.

Don’t assume that rectal bleeding is “just hemorrhoids.” See your doctor to find out the cause.

If symptoms of hemorrhoids are not relieved with self-care or with time, medical care may be needed. This includes:

* Laser heat or infrared light.

* Rubber band ligation. A rubber band is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid inside the rectum. The band cuts off blood flow to the hemorrhoid.

* Surgery.

* Cryosurgery. This freezes the affected tissue.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Drink at least 6 to 8 cups of fluid per day.

* Eat foods with good sources of dietary fiber, such as bran, whole- grain breads and cereals, vegetables, and fruits.

* Add bran to your foods. Add about 3 to 4 tablespoons per day.

* Eat prunes. Drink prune juice.

* Lose weight if you are overweight.

* Get regular exercise.

* Pass stool as soon as you feel the urge. If you wait and the urge goes away, your stool could become dry and hard. This makes it harder to pass.

* Don’t strain to pass stool.

* Don’t hold your breath when trying to pass stool.

* Keep the anal area clean. Use moist towelettes or wet (not dry) toilet paper after you pass stool.

* Don’t sit too much. This can restrict blood flow around the anal area. Don’t sit too long on the toilet. Don’t read while on the toilet.

* For itching or pain, put a cold compress on the anus for 10 minutes at a time. Do this up to 4 times a day.

* Take warm baths or use a sitz bath with hot water. A sitz bath is a basin that fits over the toilet. Get one at a medical supply or drug store.

* Check with your doctor about using over-the-counter products, such as:

– Stool softeners.

– Zinc oxide or anesthetic (numbing) products, such as Preparation H.

– Medicated wipes, such as Tucks.

– Suppositories.

Resources

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

www.niddk.nih.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Hernias

Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

A hernia occurs when body tissue “bulges” through a weak area or hole in a muscle. Often, this happens in the wall of the abdomen.

Signs & Symptoms

* A bulge in the skin. The bulge may be more easy to see when you cough, lift, or strain, or when you lie flat on your back. The bulge may feel soft.

* Mild pain or discomfort at the hernia site. The pain may only be felt when you strain, lift, or cough. The pain can be extreme when the hernia bulges out and can’t be pushed back in.

* For an inguinal hernia, weakness, pressure, burning, or pain in the groin area. A lump in the groin near the thigh may be seen when standing.

* Swelling of the scrotum.

Causes

A weakness in the wall of the abdomen is often the cause. Some persons are born with this problem. Hernias can run in families. Other causes include:

* Lifting heavy objects. Heavy coughing.

* Obesity.

* Straining to pass stool.

* Abdominal surgery.

* Being male or elderly.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the type and symptoms. Some hernias can be put back into the body. Others may need treatment with surgery.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit. Avoid secondhand smoke.

* Maintain a healthy diet. Lose weight if you are overweight.

* Avoid constipation. Don’t strain to pass stool.

* Exercise to keep abdominal muscles strong. Follow your doctor’s advice.

* When you do sit ups, keep your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor.

* Follow proper lifting techniques.

* Wear a weight lifting belt to support the back when lifting.

* Wear a truss. This is a device that holds a hernia in place.

* For mild pain, take an over-the-counter medicine for pain. If even mild pain lasts longer than a week, see your doctor.

Common Hernias Include

* Hiatal hernia.

* Inguinal hernia. A part of the intestine bulges through a muscle near the groin or scrotum.

* Incisional hernia. This is a bulge through a muscle at the site of a past surgical scar.

* Femoral hernia. This is a bulge in the top front of a thigh. It is most common in obese women.

* Ventral hernia. This is a bulge in the middle of the abdomen, usually near the navel.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Hiatal Hernia

Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

With a hiatal hernia, the normal action that closes off the top of the stomach does not work well. Food or stomach acids back up into the esophagus. This is known as Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Signs & Symptoms

Many people have no symptoms with a hiatal hernia. Others have one or more of these problems:

* Acid reflux. Stomach acid backs up into the esophagus.

* Chest pain. {Note: Don’t assume that chest pain is due to a hiatal hernia.}

* Pain in the esophagus. Heartburn.

* Hiccups. Belching after meals.

* A hard time swallowing.

Causes

The actual cause is not known. Risk factors are obesity, being a woman, or being middle aged. Smoking, lifting, strong coughing, and straining with bowel movements also increase the risk.

Treatment

Hiatal hernias are usually not serious problems. Often they can be treated with self-care. If not, surgery is an option.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit.

* Get regular exercise. This helps keep abdominal muscles in shape.

* Lose weight if you are overweight.

* Eat 5 to 6 small meals a day instead of 3 larger meals.

* Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods.

* Don’t lie down after eating. Wait 2 to 3 hours.

* Raise the head of the bed 6 inches. Put 6 inch blocks under the legs of the head of the bed or put a 6 inch wedge between the mattress and box springs at the head portion. Don’t prop your head up with pillows. Doing this puts pressure on your stomach area and can help force acid up into the esophagus.

* Don’t strain to pass stool.

* Take over-the-counter antacids or acid controllers, such as Pepcid AC or Tagamet HB. {Note: Read the labels before taking. Check with your doctor, too. Adverse side effects are more likely and more severe in older persons who take some acid controllers, such as Tagamet HB.}

* If you take aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium, take it with food.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
How Aging Affects Digestion

Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

As you age, your digestive muscles move slower. Your body makes less acid. Other things can hamper the digestive system, too. These include:

* Increased use of medicines

* Getting less exercise

* Changes in eating habits

* Dental problems

* Loss of muscle tone and elasticity. This could be a factor in hiatal hernias and diverticulosis, which are common in persons as they get older.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Ibs)

Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a problem that mostly affects the bowel (the large intestine) and is not caused by any other bowel disease. It can be painful, does not damage the colon or lead to other health problems.

Signs & Symptoms

* Gas, bloating, pain, or discomfort in the abdomen.

* Chronic diarrhea, constipation (or both).

* Mucus in the stool.

Causes

The cause is not known. A person with IBS has an extra sensitive colon. Muscles in the intestines go into spasm, causing symptoms.

Treatment

Changes in eating habits, stress relief, and medications treat IBS.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit. Avoid secondhand smoke.

* Maintain a healthy diet. Lose weight if you are overweight.

* Avoid constipation. Don’t strain to pass stool.

* Exercise to keep abdominal muscles strong. Follow your doctor’s advice.

* When you do sit ups, keep your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor.

* Follow proper lifting techniques.

* Wear a weight lifting belt to support the back when lifting.

* Wear a truss. This is a device that holds a hernia in place.

* For mild pain, take an over-the-counter medicine for pain. If even mild pain lasts longer than a week, see your doctor.

Resources

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

www.niddk.nih.gov

© 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