Conditions
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What is the official name of the MEN1 gene?
The official name of this gene is “multiple endocrine neoplasia I.”
MEN1 is the gene's official symbol. The MEN1 gene is also known by other names, listed below.
Read more about gene names and symbols on the About page.
What is…
Achalasia is a relatively rare disorder of the esophagus that makes it hard for foods and liquids to pass into the stomach.
The esophagus is the hollow, muscular tube that moves food and liquid from the throat to the stomach. The wall of the esophagus is made up…
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach and close to the duodenum—the first part of the small intestine. The pancreas secretes digestive juices, or enzymes, into the duodenum through a tube called the pancreatic duct.…
Ampullary cancer is a malignant tumor that arises from the Ampulla of Vater, the last centimeter of the common bile duct as it passes through the duodenum, the first section of the intestine. All pancreatic and biliary secretions enter the duodenum…
Anal fistulas are generally common among those who have had an anal abscess. Treatment is usually necessary to reduce the chances of infection in an anal fistula, as well to alleviate symptoms.
An anal fistula is defined as a small tunnel with an internal opening in the anal…
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Bariatric Surgery for Adults
Bariatric Surgery for Youth
The Normal Digestive Process
Types of Bariatric Surgery
Medical Costs
Research
Resources
Clinical Trials
Severe obesity is a chronic condition that is hard to treat with diet and exercise alone. Bariatric surgery is an…
A tumor (also called neoplasm) is the abnormal growth of cells and/or tissues. Tumors are either benign or malignant, and are unregulated by the natural control mechanisms of the body.
By BruceBlaus (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Types of Benign…
Key Points
A bowel obstruction is a blockage of the small or large intestine by something other than fecal impaction.
The most common cancers that cause bowel obstructions are cancers of the colon, stomach, and ovary.
Assessment includes a physical exam and imaging tests.…
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Carcinoid tumors are neuroendocrine tumors typically arising in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, most notably in the ileum, the last third of the small intestine, and the appendix, but may occur elsewhere in the body including the lungs, rectum, colon, pancreas,…
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach and close to the duodenum-the first part of the small intestine. The pancreas secretes digestive juices, or enzymes, into the duodenum through a tube called the pancreatic duct.…
Complex abdominal wall hernias are a special class of hernia that are associated with higher complication and recurrence rates, and are thus more difficult to manage. These hernias typically:
Involve a compromised surgical field in which gastrointestitinal, biliary or…
Conn's syndrome is a condition associated with the development of high blood pressure in the presence of low potassium levels in the blood. This is usually due to the presence of a tumor in the adrenal cortex,…
Crohn’s disease is a chronic disease that causes inflammation and irritation in your digestive tract. Most commonly, Crohn’s affects your small intestine and the beginning of your large intestine. However, the disease can affect any part…
Cushing's Syndrome occurs when the body's tissues are exposed to high levels of cortisol for too long. Many people develop Cushing's syndrome because they take glucocorticoids-steroid hormones that are chemically similar to naturally produced cortisol-such as prednisone…
D
Diverticulosis is a condition that occurs when small pouches, or sacs, form and push outward through weak spots in the wall of your colon. These pouches are most common in the lower part of your colon, called the sigmoid colon. One pouch is called a diverticulum.…
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An enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) is an abnormal connection that develops between the intestinal tract or stomach and the skin. As a result, contents of the stomach or intestines leak through to the skin.
Most ECFs occur after bowel surgery. Other causes include infection,…
Epigastric and umbilical hernias result from a defect or weakness in the abdominal wall between the chest and the belly button. This weakness allows the tissues inside the abdomen to protrude, resulting in a bulge. Umbilical hernias are similar to epigastric hernias,…
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Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an inherited disorder characterized by cancer of the large intestine (colon) and rectum. People with the classic type of familial adenomatous polyposis may begin to develop multiple noncancerous (benign)…
Familial isolated hyperparathyroidism is an inherited condition characterized by overactivity of the parathyroid glands (hyperparathyroidism). The four parathyroid glands are located in the neck, and they release a hormone called parathyroid hormone that regulates the amount…
What is fecal incontinence?
Fecal incontinence, also called a bowel control problem, is the accidental passing of solid or liquid stool or mucus from the rectum. Fecal incontinence includes the inability to hold a bowel movement until reaching a toilet as well as passing stool…
Femoral hernias are another type of groin hernias, but occur lower in the body than the more common inguinal hernia. Fomoral hernias develop in the upper part of the thigh near the groin just below the inguinal ligament, where abdominal contents pass…
A flank hernia, also known as a lumbar hernia, results from defects in the postero-lateral abdominal wall that allows the tissues inside the abdomen to protrude. Lumbar hernias most frequently occur as a result of traumatic injury to the back or side of the…
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What are gallstones?
Gallstones are hard particles that develop in the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located in the upper right abdomen—the area between the chest and hips—below the liver.
Gallstones can range in size from a grain of sand to…
A giant abdominal wall hernia can develop from an existing ventral or incisional hernia, sometimes arising after one or more failed repair attempts. These hernias may also result from a traumatic injury where the abdomen was required to be left open and healing was…
Enlargement of the thyroid (goiter) and lumps within it (nodules) are both relatively common. They may be obvious to the naked eye or can be found incidentally by imaging studies of the neck, such as a sonogram of the carotid arteries or a CT or MR of…
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How can I tell if I weigh too much?
Type 2 Diabetes
High Blood Pressure
Heart Disease
Stroke
Cancer
Sleep Apnea
Osteoarthritis
Fatty Liver Disease
Kidney Disease
Pregnancy Problems
How can I lower my risk of having health problems related to overweight and obesity?
Research…
A hernia occurs when an organ, intestine or fatty tissue squeezes through a hole or a weak spot in the surrounding muscle or connective tissue. Hernias often occur at the abdominal wall. Sometimes a hernia can be visible as an external bulge particularly when straining or…
A hiatal hernia is the protrusion (or herniation) of the upper part of the stomach into the thorax through a tear or weakness in the diaphragm. Hiatal hernias often result in heartburn but may also cause chest pain or pain with eating. The most common cause is obesity. The…
"As with any complex procedure, it makes sense to choose a facility and doctor that perform the operations frequently rather than rarely. When we were asking around, eight years ago, the UCSF hospital and Dr. Quan Duh came highly recommended on those grounds (and I have since…
Hyperthyroidism is a disorder that occurs when the thyroid gland makes more thyroid hormone than the body needs. It is sometimes called thyrotoxicosis, the technical term for too much thyroid hormone in the blood. About 1 percent of the U.S. population has hyperthyroidism…
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Definition & Facts
Symptoms & Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Eating, Diet, & Nutrition
Clinical Trials
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Definition & Facts
What is indigestion?
Indigestion, also called dyspepsia or upset stomach, is a general term that describes a…
In an inguinal hernia, abdominal fat or a loop of small intestine enters the inguinal canal, a tubular passage through the lower layers of the abdominal wall. A hernia occurs when part of an internal organ (usually the small intestine) protrudes through a weak point or…
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Liver cysts are thin-walled sacs filled with air, fluids, or semi-solid material. Liver cysts occur in approximately 5% of people. The majority of cysts are benign, but all cancers are able to produce malignant cysts. Patients…
Liver metastases are tumors that have spread to the liver from other areas of the the body. Cancer cells often have aggressive tendencies and will invade other areas of the body. They usually do so by floating in the blood stream and then replicating themselves…
Lynch syndrome, also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), is an inherited disorder that increases the risk of many types of cancer, particularly cancers of the colon (large intestine) and rectum, which are collectively referred to as…
M
Metabolic syndrome is the name for a group of risk factors that raise your risk for heart disease and other health problems, such as diabetes and stroke. The term "metabolic" refers to the biochemical processes involved in the body's normal functioning.…
Multiple endocrine neoplasia is a group of disorders that affect the body's network of hormone-producing glands (the endocrine system). Hormones are chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream and regulate the function of cells and tissues throughout the body.…
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Obesity is the condition in which fatty tissue stores are excessive. Obesity is associated with serious chronic illnesses including diabetes, coronary artery disease, hypertension, sleep apnea, and degenerative joint disease leading to an increased…
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A pancreatic pseudocyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms in the abdomen comprised of pancreatic enzymes, blood, and necrotic (dead) tissue. Pancreatic pseudocysts account for approximately 75% of all pancreatic masses and typically are complications of chronic…
A parastomal hernia is a type of incisional hernia allowing abdominal contents to protrude through an abdominal wall defect in the stoma.
What is a Stoma
A stoma or ostomy is a surgically created opening accessible at the skin level of the abdomen allowing stool or urine…
The term "pelvic floor" refers to the group of muscles that form a sling or hammock across the opening of a woman's pelvis. These muscles, together with their surrounding tissues, keep all of the pelvic organs in place so that the organs can function correctly.
A pelvic floor…
The presacral space is the area between the rectum and lowest part of your the spine, which is called the sacrum. The presacral space is inside the pelvis, behind the rectum and in front of the coccyx and sacrum. Normally it is empty, or it contains a pocket of fat…
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The breakdown of a hernia repair is called recurrent hernia. The bulge returns at or near the site of the prior hernia. Recurrent hernias greatly increase the complexity of subsequent repair. If left untreated, severe complications can result such as the…
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A spigelian hernia, also known as a lateral ventral hernia, develops through the spigelian fascia, the muscles found in the abdominal wall whereas most other hernias develop just below layers of fat.
Because of the location, swelling is often minimal with little outward signs…
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Enlargement of the thyroid (goiter) and lumps within it (nodules) are both relatively common. They may be obvious to the naked eye or can be found incidentally by imaging studies of the neck, such as a sonogram of the carotid arteries or a CT or MR of…
Diabetes, defined as elevated blood sugar, is a disorder of metabolism, i.e., the way the body uses digested food for growth and energy. If not controlled, diabetes can be life threatening and associated with long-term complications that can affect every…
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V
A hernia occurs when part of an internal organ (usually the small intestine) protrudes through a weak point of the abdominal wall, resulting in a bulge.
A ventral or incisional hernia specifically describes a hernia, often in the middle of the abdomen, that occurs after a…
Volvulus occurs when the intestine twists around itself and the mesentery that supports it, creating an obstruction. The area of intestine above the obstruction continues to function and fills with food, fluid, and gas. The mesentery may become so tightly twisted that blood…