Articles

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that causes damage to the lining of the small intestine, interfering with digestion. It is triggered by consuming gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and sometimes oats. It can cause a variety of symptoms, although some patients are asymptomatic. Treatment

Hepatitis B is inflammation of the liver caused by infection with hepatitis B, a virus. People become infected with hepatitis B from exposure to blood, saliva, semen, or vaginal fluid from an infected person. Patients can have no symptoms or become mildly or severely ill over a period of weeks to months.

Hepatitis C is inflammation of the liver caused by infection with the hepatitis C virus. It is transmitted by exposure to blood from an infected person. Many patients experience no symptoms, but chronic infection can lead to cirrhosis or scarring of the liver. It is diagnosed by blood tests. Patients

The pancreas is an abdominal organ involved in digestion. Repeated injury can lead to inflammation and then scarring of the pancreas. This can lead to problems with digestion, as well as the development of diabetes. The most common cause of chronic pancreatitis is chronic alcohol consumption.

Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver that can lead to liver dysfunction. There are many causes of cirrhosis, but the most common causes are infection with the hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus, chronic heavy alcohol use, or fat deposits in the liver. Complications of cirrhosis can include jaundice (yellow

C. diff is a bacterial infection of the large intestine that causes diarrhea, and sometimes colitis (inflammation of the lining of the large intestine). This bacteria is found in the environment. Patients most commonly develop an infection after taking a course of antibiotics, or after being exposed