An incisional hernia is a medical condition in which the intestine protrudes through an incision within the abdominal wall following abdominal surgery. This condition is caused by the deterioration of scar tissue, which creates a weak point within the abdominal wall.

Gallstones are small, pebble-like structures composed of the crystallized components of bile that develop in the gallbladder. Bile, made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, helps the body to digest fats and it contains water, cholesterol, lipids, bile salts, protein, and bilirubin.

The digestive process transforms food into microscopic particles that nourish the body. Humans utilize two types of digestion -- mechanical, such as chewing, and chemical, using enzymes. Digestive juices hold these enzymes and are released by the pancreas, liver and small intestine.

Bloating and fatty stool -- stools that are foul-smelling, greasy and usually rather large in volume -- are common digestive symptoms that usually indicate some type of malabsorption.

The gallbladder is a small organ located to the right of your liver. Its primary role is to collect and concentrate the digestive juice bile that is made by your liver. However, your gallbladder is not an essential organ, and your body can function normally without it.

If you have a heart condition or otherwise need to monitor your heart rate, you may notice changes during and after a meal. Like the many physiological changes that accompany swallowing and digestion, an increase in your pulse is usually a natural side-effect of eating.

Trauma to the abdominal area may cause a serious, life-threatening injury that may go untreated because immediate symptoms may not be evident.

Although lentils are nutritious, they are full of raffinose sugars, which are difficult for the body to break down. In fact, the human body is missing the enzyme required to break down this type of sugar.

If you have acid reflux, you may wonder if drinking milk and eating yogurt will make your symptoms worse.

Intestinal gas and loose stools often occur simultaneously with a variety of disorders and conditions. Incomplete digestion commonly leads to diarrhea. As undigested food reaches the large intestine, colonic bacteria break down the particles, producing gas.

Approximately 5 percent of all Americans will develop appendicitis. The Merck Manual states that before surgery and antibiotics were readily available, 50 percent of those patients would die, a rate that is now almost zero.

Your child takes his shoes off to scratch an itch, which was a big mistake because now his feet are burning. Athlete’s foot, which is likely causing your child's itchy feet, does not only affect adults. However, scabies also causes an intense itch.