Mouth ulcers are open sores in the mucous membranes of the mouth.  Once formed, the ulcer may be maintained by inflammation and/or secondary infection. Mostly mouth ulcers are benign and self-limiting (e.g. when caused by trauma) but in some cases can become persistent and recurrent. Many people that suffer from chronic ulcers have an immune…

Metabolic syndrome is a combination of medical disorders that include insulin resistance, high insulin levels and, in most cases, obesity. It is a major risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.    Metabolic syndrome diagnosis is on the rise in Australia and the rest of the western world and primarily…

Malabsorption is failure of the body to absorb vitamins, minerals and other nutrients from food. It is much more common for a variety of reasons in the modern world, particularly with the decline of our overall gut health and digestion. Causes / Risk factors of Malabsorption Impaired digestive function Celiac disease Bacterial overgrowth in colon…

Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Kidney disease (or nephropathy) can refer to a number of conditions affecting the kidney. Acute kidney disease is usually caused by an infective agent and is generally of relatively short duration. It often needs antibiotics if caused by infection. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined as loss of 1/3 of kidney…

Viral Hepatitis – Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver with viral, toxic, pharmacologic, and immune-mediated causes. Viral infection is the most common cause of hepatitis.  Hepatitis B affects around 1% of the population while it is estimated that more than 250,000 people are suffering from Hepatitis C. Recent pharmaceutical medications…

Chronic otitis media also known as glue ear occurs when fluid accumulates in the middle ear as a result of poor drainage of the Eustachian tubes. It often occurs in children after recurrent bouts of acute ear infections where the mucous membrane continues to produce fluid. Over time the fluid may become thick and glue-like,…

Glandular fever, also known as infectious mononucleosis is an acute infectious disease caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and characterised by fever, pharyngitis, swollen glands, often spleen enlargement, and severe fatigue that can continue for months. It mostly occurs in adolescence and young adulthood. Glandular fever can be a debilitating illness for many teenagers, often contracting…

Gastritis refers to acute or chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa.  It is a condition caused by a variety of conditions of the gastrointestinal tract.  Food allergies, gut pathogens, bacterial overgrowth and poor digestion are all commons causes.  Once gastritis is present, we find most patients become sensitive to many foods with bloating, fatigue, skin…

Flatulence is the accumulation of gas in the digestive tract. The intestine produces about 500-2000 mL of gas per day, mostly as a result of swallowed air and bacterial fermentation of carbohydrates in the GIT. The passing of gas via the rectum is normal in humans and the amount can vary from individual to individual.…

GERD Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Indigestion and reflux is caused by impaired digestion. It is a common problem and is frequently associated with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and more commonly known as heartburn. Gastro-esophageal reflux disease is a disorder resulting from repeated reflux of acid and gastric contents into the esophagus, mainly caused by lower…