About Women's Health: Digestive Diseases

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Women's Health Women's Health Topics A-Z Sexual Health Healthy Living From Tracee Cornforth, your Guide to Women's Health Welcome to your About.com Women's Health newsletter. I hope you are keeping cool during these hot days of summer. This week we explore digestive diseases, and we share reader stories and experiences. Have a great day! Tracee Digestive Diseases Facts and Fallacies Researchers have only recently begun to understand the many, often complex, diseases that affect the digestive system. Accordingly, people are gradually replacing folklore, old wives' tales, and rumors about the causes and treatments of digestive diseases with accurate, up-to-date information. But misunderstandings still exist, and, while some folklore is harmless, some can be dangerous if it keeps a person from correctly preventing or treating an illness. Gallbladder Disease 101 Over 20 million Americans have gallblader disease. About one million new cases of gallbladder disease are diagnosed annually. Gallstones cause more than 800,000 hospitalizations every year in the United States. Gallstone attacks frequently occur after eating meals high in fat content. The most common treatment for gallbladder disease is laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a term used to describe discomfort in the bowel (the colon, or large intestine). Symptoms of IBS may include crampy pain, bloating, gas, mucus in the stool, and changes in bowel habits. Pancreatitis Symptoms and Treatments Your pancreas is a large gland behind your stomach and close to your duodenum. The pancreas secretes powerful digestive enzymes that enter the small intestine through a duct. These enzymes help you digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. The pancreas also releases the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. These hormones play an important part in metabolizing sugar. Women's Health Ads Health Women Senior Health Care Health Clinics Health Product It Health Featured Articles Menstruation Birth Control Heart Health for Women Menopause Sexual Health Issues Breast Health and Diseases   More from About.com Plan a Unique Vegas Wedding The minister, music and champagne are just the beginning -- why not get married aboard a helicopter or have a pirate swing in to deliver your rings? Arrrr! More> Join About.com's User Panel! Share your opinions and help us make About.com more relevant, informative and enjoyable to use. More> This newsletter is written by: Tracee Cornforth Women's Health Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Women's Health newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Readers Share Experiences Share Your Face and Body Lotion Opinions Readers Share Gallbladder Experiences Readers Share Stories Of Stress-Related Health Issues Advertisement