Though they are often fodder for jokes, hemorrhoids are no laughing matter. They don’t pose a danger, but they are painful. For those who love to bike or who count on a bicycle as a means of transportation, hemorrhoids present a significant tactical problem.

We think about bacteria as harmful, disease-causing, invisible creatures. But actually, only a few species are dangerous. The majority of bacteria are good, and without them, life on Earth wouldn’t be possible.

When they become chronic, excessive gas and heartburn are serious quality-of-life issues that may inspire you to re-evaluate your diet and your overall lifestyle. It's possible that losing weight will reduce or eliminate unpleasant symptoms of gas and heartburn -- it's even likely in some cases.

Bloating and hot ears are usually a sign of some sort of food intolerance, and the severity of the symptoms can usually help determine whether or not you have an actual allergy.

The gallbladder is a small sac beneath your liver that stores and releases bile, a fat-dissolving substance, into your intestinal tract. Gallstones develop when residual bile hardens into solid clumps.

Fats, or lipids, are an essential part of your diet. According to nutritionist Elson Haas, M.D., lipids are part of every cell membrane and every organ and tissue in your body.

GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a chronic digestive disorder that occurs when acid backs up from your stomach to the esophagus. Bile backs up and causes heartburn and acid reflux. While many people experience heartburn occasionally, when it happens to you more than twice a week, you probably have GERD.

A cell is the basic structure of the body. Organelle means tiny organs and these structures within a cell perform specialized functions. For example, the nucleus contains all the DNA and directs the synthesis of proteins and the process of cell replication.

Colitis and diverticulitis are two similar inflammatory bowel conditions. Colitis develops as a result of inflammation of the large intestine, also called the colon. Diverticulitis is the inflammation of an abnormal pouch found in the intestines, commonly the large intestine, states MedlinePlus.

Your gallbladder is responsible for storing bile, a substance that helps your body digest fats. Because the gallbladder’s release of bile can be a somewhat inefficient system, it is possible for your gallbladder to become blocked or diseased, which may necessitate removal.

The buildup of acid in your stomach can cause an uncomfortable burning sensation. It may result in heartburn, belching, bloating, indigestion, reflux, nausea and a sour taste in your mouth.

Eating onions and garlic regularly may give you a wide array of health benefits, from preventing cancer and heart disease to treating infections, according to the Linus Pauling Institute.