Conditions

Anal abscess

An anal abscess is a painful, pus-filled swelling near the anus. Find out the causes, diagnosis, treatment options and when to see a doctor.

Anal fistula

An anal fistula is an abnormal connection between the lining on the inside of your anal canal and the skin near your anus.

Anal tear (or anal fissure)

An anal tear or fissure is a cut or tear in the anal opening.

Bowel (Faecal) Incontinence

Lack of control as to when you open your bowels is called bowel (or faecal) incontinence.

Bowel cancer

Your bowels are made up of two sections - the small and the large bowel (or colon). If cells begin to develop and multiply abnormally in your bowel they can become cancerous.

Bowel Obstruction

Learn what a bowel obstruction is, its symptoms and causes, how it's diagnosed and treated, and why it needs urgent medical attention.

Cholecystitis

If a gallstone becomes trapped in the opening (duct) in your gall bladder it can cause severe abdominal pain lasting from one to five hours; this is called cholecystitis

Chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP)

Chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) is pain that continues, or gets worse, in the area of an operation for longer than the normal healing time, usually taken as at least 3 months. It's a recognised complication of surgery that can affect anyone who has an operation, though how likely you are to develop it depends on the type of surgery and several personal risk factors.

Coeliac disease

Crohn's disease

Crohn’s disease is an inflammation of the bowel (gut). The disease most often affects the end part of the small bowel, however, it can affect any part of the bowel.

Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis, and diverticular disease, occur when one or more pockets of diverticula in your bowel wall becomes infected or inflamed.

Duodenal ulcer

Find out what a duodenal ulcer is, its symptoms and causes, how it's diagnosed, and the non-surgical and surgical treatments that can help.

Dysphagia (swallowing problems)

Dysphagia means difficulty swallowing food or drink. Find out the possible causes, how it is diagnosed and treated, and when to seek urgent help.

Femoral hernia

Weak spots or tears can develop in the layer of muscle in the abdominal wall resulting in the contents of the abdomen pushing through. This produces a lump called a hernia.

Gallstones

The gallbladder is an organ that stores bile; a bitter, yellow fluid produced by your liver. Bile is released by your gallbladder into the small intestine when you eat and helps to break down fats.

Gastric Ulceration

Learn about gastric ulceration (a stomach ulcer): what causes it, the symptoms to watch for, and the treatment options, from medicine to surgery.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GORD)

Learn about gastro-oesophageal reflux (GORD): the symptoms, the causes and risk factors, and the treatment options, from lifestyle changes to surgery.

Groin hernia (or inguinal hernia)

An inguinal hernia happens at the inguinal canal. This is a narrow passage in which blood vessels supplying the testicle pass through the abdominal wall.

Haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids, also known as piles, are soft fleshy lumps just inside the back passage (anus). They bleed easily, usually causing fresh bright-red bleeding when a motion is passed. They do not usually cause pain but can cause itching.

Helicobacter

Hepatobiliary Disease

Hepatobiliary disease affects the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts. Find out about the symptoms, causes, types and treatment options right here.

Hernia

A hernia is when part of an internal organ or fatty tissue pushes through a weak point in the muscle or tissue wall that normally holds it in place, most often in your abdomen or groin. It usually looks like a bulge that appears during certain activities, such as lifting or coughing, and goes away when you rest or lie down.

Inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) causes long-term inflammation of the gut. Learn about the symptoms of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and treatment.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a very common disorder of your gastrointestinal (digestive) tract.

Kidney stones (or renal stones)

Kidney stones (renal stones) are common and can be very painful. Learn about the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment options available.

Liver disease

Your liver is one of the largest organs in your body. It acts to process and remove toxins from drugs and substances that may harm your body. Your liver makes blood clotting factors, proteins, and enzymes, helps maintain hormone balances, and stores vitamins and minerals. Bile is transported through ducts directly or via the gall bladder to the small intestine to help you digest fats.

Malabsorption

Malabsorption means your digestive system can't properly take in nutrients from your food, even if you're eating enough. It can affect specific nutrients or, in more serious cases, several at once, and it's usually a sign of an underlying digestive problem rather than a condition in its own right.

Metabolic disease

Metabolic disease is a broad term for conditions that disrupt metabolism, the process your body uses to turn food into energy. It ranges from rare, inherited disorders present from birth to much more common conditions, such as metabolic syndrome, that develop later in life and raise your risk of diabetes and heart problems.

Types of conditions or disease