Probiotics contain microorganisms, most of which are bacteria similar to the beneficial bacteria
that occur naturally in the human gut. Probiotics have been widely studied in a variety of …

Purpose: A number of disorders cause dysphagia, which is the perception of an obstruction
during swallowing. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of dysphagia …

Hepatitis C, a common chronic bloodborne infection, is found in approximately 2 percent of
adults in the United States. Chronic infection is associated with serious morbidity and …

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the gastrointestinal tract at any
point from the mouth to the rectum. Patients may experience diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever…

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding causes significant morbidity and mortality in the United States,
and has been associated with increasing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use and the …

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver (hepatic
steatosis). Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is characterized by steatosis, liver cell injury, …

Uncomplicated diverticulitis is localized diverticular inflammation, whereas complicated
diverticulitis is diverticular inflammation associated with an abscess, phlegmon, fistula, …

Background Cholecystitis may be acute or chronic. Individuals with acute cholecystitis (AC)
typically present with right upper quadrant (RUQ) pain, fever, and leukocytosis (Box 1). There …

Upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is defined as hemorrhage from the mouth to the
ligament of Treitz. Common risk factors for upper GI bleeding include prior upper GI bleeding, …

Screening for hepatitis B virus is recommended in pregnant women at their first prenatal visit
and in adolescents and adults at high risk of chronic infection. Chronic infection can lead to …