Adhesions can be defined as abnormal connections between two surfaces or organs. Adhesions are made of tissue that closely resembles scar tissue and they often occur after patients have had previous surgery or infection in the abdomen.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is a common cause of indigestion. It is caused by the washing back (reflux) of food and stomach acid into the gullet (oesophagus). This occurs because a muscular valve (sphincter) at the junction of the oesophagus and stomach fails to work properly.

Barrett’s Oesophagus is the replacement of the normal ‘skin-like’ lining of the lower oesophagus by lining that is similar to what is seen in the stomach. This occurs as a consequence of chronic reflux disease and is possibly an initial attempt to adjust the lower oesophagus to the presence of excess acid.

Bloating is one of the most common and frustrating conditions that patients present the Gastroenterologist with. Approximately 30% of Dr White’s patients have bloating as their major complaint.

Diarrhoea that lasts for more than 4 weeks is considered chronic and is evaluated differently from diarrhoea of shorter duration. A number of small intestinal infections can cause symptoms that last for months or years if untreated and should be excluded with appropriate studies.

Coeliac Disease, sometimes called ‘Sprue’, is a condition in which the lining of the small intestine becomes damaged when it is exposed to even small amounts of gluten. This is a substance found in wheat, barley, rye, oats and millet.

Polyps look like small mushroom-like growths and are often on a stalk, but some are flat. Polyps in the colon are clinically important for two reasons.

A normal pattern of bowel movement can vary considerably from person to person. Most people will empty their bowel between three times daily and three times per week. Everyone has their own regular bowel habit, depending on your diet, fluid intake and how much and when you exercise.

If you are one of the millions of people who suffer from heartburn, the most common symptom of reflux, there are measures you can take to improve your health and your lifestyle.

More than a million Australians may be compromising their health by needlessly adopting gluten-free diets due to ‘pseudoscience’ and celebrity fads, a food science conference has been told.

Diverticular Disease of the colon is very common. It is more commonly found in western cultures, particularly older people because diverticulosis actually increases with age.

The diagnosis of fatty liver is usually confirmed on liver biopsy or ultrasound. Prior to that, the suspicion may be there because your doctor has found abnormal liver function tests, often in the setting of being overweight, having diabetes or having cholesterol or triglyceride problems.

What you might consider cutting back on.

What’s the dietary fibre in bread, breakfast foods, fruit and vegetables.

Food allergy and food intolerance are commonly confused, as symptoms of food intolerance occasionally resemble those of food allergy. However, food intolerance does not involve the immune system and does not cause severe allergic reactions (known as anaphylaxis).

Haemorrhoids (also known as piles) are cushions of blood vessels and bowel lining tissue that swell and budge into the back passage. These cushions are located in the anal area and help to ease stool passage. There are two types of haemorrhoids.

Helicobacter Pylori (H.Pylori) is a bacterium that infects the human stomach and was first recognised as a cause of symptoms in 1985. It is very common and can be found in up to 1 in 5 normal people.

Information below is for people who have received a positive Hepatitis C antibody test result and for people who want to know more about Hepatitis C.

A Hiatus Hernia is the protrusion (or herniation) of the upper part of the stomach into the chest cavity through a weakness in the diaphragm.

A high fibre diet involves much more than taking unprocessed wheat bran. The wide variety of different types of dietary fibre should be included in your daily diet.

Colitis has been recognised in humans for many centuries. Until the 19th century, when a classical description of ulcerative colitis was made, all episodes of colitis were thought to be due to infection.

Are you unsure what lactose intolerance is and how it’s treated? Here’s a closer look at this often misunderstood condition.

Liver biopsy allows a small sample of liver tissue to be obtained which can be processed and examined under a microscope. It is frequently the only means of precisely diagnosing a variety of liver conditions.

Some foods act as laxatives, hurrying food and faeces through the bowel. These include prunes and prune juice, molasses, liquorice, chocolate, citrus, black coffee, alcohol and spices. You will know what works for you. However, many people rely not on food but on common commercial laxatives.