Health Stack Exchange
Health Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [digestion]

the process of breaking down food by mechanical and enzymatic action in the alimentary canal into substances that can be used by the body.

  • the process of breaking down food by mechanical and enzymatic action in the alimentary canal into substances that can be used by the body.

  • a person's capacity to break down food into substances that can be used by the body

  • the process of treating a substance by means of heat, enzymes, or a solvent to promote decomposition or extract essential components.

114 questions
9
votes
2 answers

When, if ever, should one use a laxative?

I'm in my mid-twenties and have never taken a laxative or used prune juice. I've experienced constipation and general discomfort before, but it never occurred to me that a laxative would be useful and I never really have 6 hours to literally flush…
Naftuli Kay
  • 191
  • 3
8
votes
1 answer

What is the mechanism of heartburn?

My father recently forwarded me a factoid saying: most of us believe that heartburn is caused by excess production of gastric acid. In fact, in most cases it is caused by improper functioning of the stomach muscles, which increases the pressure…
rumtscho
  • 2,793
  • 16
  • 33
5
votes
1 answer

Walking immediately after the meal

I find different views for this topic. First view, It is not a good idea to walk immediately after a meal as your stomach requires energy to digest the food and so you should not be using your energy on something else immediately after having food,…
Pawan Nogariya
  • 171
  • 3
3
votes
1 answer

Why antacid for overeating?

I saw on this popular website (http://www.livestrong.com/article/345573-how-to-relieve-the-feeling-of-overeating/) and other sites as well, a recommendation to take an antacid for overeating. But isn't that the opposite of what you would want to…
larry909
  • 481
  • 7
  • 18
3
votes
1 answer

Can eating certain food cause appendicitis?

When I was a little kid I loved garlic. But It was too tedious for me to peel it, so I ate it without peeling it first. My mom would always tell me that the peel is like garbage and that it does not get digested. And if it is not digested, part of…
Andrew Savinykh
  • 133
  • 1
  • 4
2
votes
0 answers

Why does lying down after meal cause diarrhea?

Quite often if I lie down not long after a meal, I will have diarrhea. Why is that? Will any other actions after a meal have similar effect?
Tim
  • 129
  • 6
2
votes
1 answer

Why does the body constantly need new supply of essential elements (minerals) and not just recycle what is already in the body?

Why does the body need a constant supply of new essential minerals and trace elements, like magnesium or selenium, and not simply recycle what it already has? When I think about it, elements are not like glucose or fat, the body doesn't burn them in…
lowtoxin
  • 121
  • 3
1
vote
1 answer

What is the correct way to insert the end of the enema tube?

I have been trying enema for a couple of days. When I insert the rectal strip, it goes about a inch in. But when I release the water, nothing happens. I don't see the water flowing into me. My suspicion is that I may not be inserting the strip…
ramana_k
  • 113
  • 3
1
vote
2 answers

What is solution of irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)? [Diarrhoea-predominant IBS]

Male/24 I have several bowel motions in the morning – the first may be before breakfast (immediately after awakening). Subsequent bowel motions may be only 20-30mins apart and are usually looser and looser each time up to 3 times before lunch.…
Binaya Shrestha
  • 13
  • 3
-1
votes
1 answer

I want to repair my digestive system

I've been experiencing diarrhea every morning for the past 8 months. What should I do?
smarterway
  • 11
  • 2