Health Information

Roundworms can infest the human gut, where they live, feed and reproduce. They don't often cause any symptoms, but are more likely to in large numbers. A roundworm infection – also sometimes known as ascariasis or ascaris – is usually easy to treat.

In most cases, indigestion (dyspepsia) is mild and only occurs occasionally. However, severe indigestion can cause complications, some of which are outlined below.

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a long-term liver disease in which the bile ducts in the liver become damaged. This gradually leads to a build-up of bile in the liver, which can damage it and eventually lead to scarring (cirrhosis).

Stomach ulcers, also known as gastric ulcers, are open sores that develop on the lining of the stomach. Ulcers can also occur in part of the intestine just beyond the stomach – these are known as duodenal ulcers.

Oesophageal atresia is a rare birth defect that affects a baby's oesophagus (the tube through which food passes from the mouth to the stomach).

A liver transplant is an operation to remove a diseased or damaged liver and replace it with a healthy one.

There are more than 100 different types of liver disease, which together affect at least 2 million people in the UK. The liver The liver is the second largest organ in the body.

Laxatives are a type of medicine that can help you empty your bowels if you are having trouble going to the toilet. They are widely used to treat constipation if lifestyle changes (see below) haven't helped.

Laryngeal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the larynx (voice box). The larynx is part of the throat found at the entrance of the windpipe (trachea). It plays an important role in helping you breathe and speak.

Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition, where the colon and rectum become inflamed. The colon is the large intestine (bowel), and the rectum is the end of the bowel where stools are stored.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term mainly used to describe two conditions, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are long-term (chronic) conditions that involve inflammation of the gut (gastrointestinal tract).

An ileostomy is where the small intestine (small bowel) is diverted through an opening in the abdomen (tummy). The opening is known as a stoma. A special bag is placed over the stoma to collect waste products that would usually pass through the colon (large intestine) and out of the body through the rectum and anus (back passage).