Flatulence is the act of passing gas through the anus which is a normal part of human physiology. It is not usually reported as a symptom unless it is excessive resulting in frequent passing of flatus. The term flatulent is therefore accepted as excessive flatulence or frequent flatulence, in excess of the 15 to 20 times a day that flatus is normally expelled.

A person who is flatulent experiences significant emotional distress as the passing of flatus may be uncontrollable and occur in social settings, often at the most inopportune times. This is exacerbated if the flatus is unusually foul in odor and passing of the gas is loud.

continue reading Flatulent Causes of Frequent Flatus (Passing Gas)

Ulcers in the duodenum arise from constant inflammation of the duodenal mucosa eventually leading to the formation of open sores in the lining (ulceration). This is due either to an increase in gastric acid or impairment of the mucus barrier that protects the duodenal lining. In some causative factors of duodenal ulcers, like H.pylori infection, both mechanisms contribute to ulceration.

Inflammation of the duodenum may remain unnoticed for prolonged periods of time with only vague symptoms like changes in appetite and indigestion reported. However, once an ulcer develops, the clinical presentation gradually becomes more defined. It is not uncommon for certain patients to be asymptomatic but this is more often seen in the elderly.

continue reading Duodenal Ulcers Signs, Symptoms, Treatment and Diet

A duodenal ulcer is an open sore in the lining of the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine, that lies immediately distal (after) the stomach. The broad term for ulceration in the stomach or duodenal lining is peptic ulcer disease. Most of the causes of stomach ulcers are also responsible for the development of duodenal ulcers.

The duodenum has an inner epithelial lining, known as the mucosa. It is made up of simple columnar cells and also contains specialized cells that produce mucus and a few digestive enzymes. With duodenal ulcers, the mucosa is eroded revealing the underlying layers like the submucosa and in severe cases, an ulcer may perforate the duodenal wall. Duodenal ulcers are more common than stomach ulcers and are usually a solitary (single) ulcer. The ulcer usually forms close to the pyloric valve and more often occurs on the anterior duodenal wall.

continue reading What is a Duodenal Ulcer? What Causes Ulcers in the Duodenum?

Whipple surgery is a major surgical procedure involving the gastrointestinal organs like the distal part of stomach (latter portion), part of pancreas and duodenum (first part of the small intestine). The medical term for Whipple surgery is pancreaticoduodenectomy. It is a standard procedure for certain cases of pancreatic cancer but due to the close proximity of the distal part of the stomach and duodenum, these structures may also be removed. Refer to pancreas location and the picture below for more information.

continue reading What is Whipple surgery? Reasons for Whipple procedure

The esophagus is the muscular tube leading from the throat to the stomach. It directs and food and drink into the stomach for digestion and absorption which continues through the small intestine. Esophageal motility ensures that peristaltic waves that start in the throat during swallowing continues to propel the bolus (ball of food formed after chewing and pharyngeal swallowing) into the stomach.

The direction of movement is from the throat to the stomach and retrograde flow (backward flow) is prevented by the direction of the peristaltic waves. In addition, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) at the bottom of the esophagus ensures that the stomach contents do not travel up into the esophagus.

continue reading Esophageal Reflux – Symptoms and Causes