An anal fissure is a tear in the back passage. It can be small and clear up on its own or, because of its location, it can be painful and difficult to treat. Anal fissures are not as common as piles (haemorrhoids) but can affect as many as 1 in 10 people in their life. People with anal symptoms may experience a sharp pain when they are trying to poo which can last for several hours afterward. They can also get a small amount of bright red blood in the tissue or on the pan. The anal ring is a type of muscular mucosal tissue, much like the lips are. If you can imagine getting cracked lips in the cold, this can be painful but also difficult to mend as it’s a moist area.

Our microbiome refers to the diverse community of microorganisms that inhabit our bodies, primarily in our gastrointestinal tract, but also on our skin and in other areas. This community consists of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes, collectively playing a crucial role in maintaining our health and well-being. The gut microbiome, in particular, is home to trillions of microorganisms, with hundreds of different species. These microbes contribute to various physiological functions, including digestion, nutrient absorption, immune system regulation, and even influencing our mood and behaviour. A balanced and diverse microbiome is associated with better overall health, while disruptions in its composition, known as dysbiosis, have been linked to various health conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and autoimmune disorders What are Probiotics? Probiotics have garnered increasing attention recently for their potential to support gut health and overall well-being. But what exactly are probiotics? Simply put, probiotics are live microorganisms that have health benefits to the host when consumed in adequate amounts. These microorganisms, often referred to as "friendly" or "good" bacteria, can be found naturally in certain foods like yoghurt, kefir, fermented vegetables, and dietary supplements. They primarily consist of strains of bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, known for their beneficial effects on the gut.

Threadworms are very common in children, but rare in adults. They are a parasite that passes from faeces to hands to mouth and is incredibly contagious. This infection causes intense itching around the bottom and sometimes the vagina, especially at night – the need to scratch may even disturb your child’s sleep. You might notice tiny white worms around your child’s anus when they are active at night, laying eggs, or mixed in their poo.

It’s that time of year when we subject ourselves to an excess of food and drink and then painfully remember that our bodies still treat alcohol in exactly the same way as that day long ago when we first discovered how to make it.  There are countless apocryphal remedies for treating a hangover, all of which forget the obvious - don’t drink too much in the first place! Assuming this advice is about to be forgotten, then the next thing to do is to eat before drinking. This slows the passage of alcohol into the bloodstream and explains why a couple of drinks on an empty stomach can have you reeling. It will do nothing to ultimately affect the levels of alcohol in your bloodstream so the only thing that will sober you up - including the classic myth of black coffee - is time. Although any alcohol will make you feel dreadful given enough of it, the usual suspects for really bad hangovers are brandy, cheap red wine and rum. These are low in absolute alcohol but high in products of fermentation - called congeners - which are broken down into chemicals that trigger hangover symptoms such as a headache. Other well-known problems include thirst, nausea and vomiting, sweating , shaking and high anxiety levels. Thirst is caused by alcohol being a diuretic and so if you drink a couple of glasses of red wine you will lose about twice that amount of water from the body over an hour or two. The irritant properties of alcohol on the stomach play a part here too, but the whole picture needs to be considered as well as just the alcohol. Throw smoking, a lack of sleep, too much rich food and unexpected psychological events into the mix and you have a recipe for a serious hangover. Just as you lose water from your body when hung over, you also lose potassium and glucose (which is why you can feel so hungry despite not wanting to eat anything!). One of the easiest ways to rebalance this is to eat bananas, as these are rich in both potassium and magnesium, which help to regulate blood sugar levels. They are also rich in Vitamin C, which tends to be wiped out by having too much to drink. You can buy rehydration tablets that will help to restore your fluid levels and mineral balance here. So, if you don’t want a hangover then go light on the drinks! This option is something that we control ourselves but what about what we eat over the festive season? It may come as a surprise to learn that in the UK we can eat up to 6,000 calories each on Christmas day with the dinner itself having 1,000 calories in it. (In case you’re wondering, it would take 10 hours of running to burn off those 6,000 calories!) What most people certainly don’t realise however, amidst the annual calorie blow-out, is that there are around 30 deaths a year from food poisoning, and that one in five of us will risk food poisoning by eating old turkey leftovers that have been around longer than the recommended limit of 2 days in the fridge. So, what can you do to prevent your risk of being hit by this over the festive season? Well, most food poisoning is caused by eating or drinking food which is contaminated. This contamination may be caused by bacteria, viruses, chemicals or toxins but most food poisoning is caused by bacteria such as Salmonella or Campylobacter. The foods most commonly involved with food poisoning are meat and poultry, shellfish, rice and dairy products, and most food poisoning is related to food prepared in the home. There is usually no way of telling whether food is contaminated as it usually looks, tastes and smells normal.

A stool test is done to assess the health of your bowel and your gut. It analyses your poo as there are many things it can tell a doctor about your overall health.

Ranitidine is an acid-suppressant medicine that has been widely used. If you have been prescribed ranitidine previously, then you may be aware that it is currently unavailable in Europe. All ranitidine products have had their license removed until further notice due to contamination with a substance called NDMA. NDMA is a substance that is thought to cause cancer (carcinogen). It is found in very low amounts in foods, including roasted meats, cheese and beer and is safe to ingest at low levels. Studies are investigating whether NDMA has been produced from the breakdown of ranitidine and if this happens inside the body

Probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics represent a trinity of microbial-based therapies that are revolutionising our understanding of health and nutrition. Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. They are often referred to as ‘good’ or ‘friendly’ bacteria and are typically found in fermented foods or dietary supplements. Prebiotics, on the other hand, are compounds in food that induce the growth or activity of beneficial microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. They act as food for probiotics and are found in fibre-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Postbiotics are the biochemical byproducts of probiotic bacteria, which can also have health-promoting properties. These include substances like organic acids, bacteriocins, enzymes, and other metabolic products that can influence the gut environment. Together, these biotics play a crucial role in maintaining gut health, supporting digestion, and enhancing immune function, marking a significant shift towards a more holistic approach in dietary science and medicine.

Probiotics have garnered significant attention in recent years for their potential to manage various gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhoea, constipation, and bloating. Amidst the ever-expanding array of health supplements, probiotics stand out for their purported ability to rebalance the gut microbiota, the complex community of microorganisms residing in the intestines. In this article, we delve into the efficacy of probiotics in alleviating specific symptoms, starting with diarrhoea. We explore the evidence supporting their use in both prevention and treatment, highlighting recommended strains and dosages for optimal outcomes. Furthermore, we examine their role in addressing constipation and bloating, shedding light on the mechanisms through which probiotics may exert their beneficial effects. Through a comprehensive review of research findings, we aim to provide clarity on the potential benefits of probiotics for symptom management and offer guidance on selecting suitable strains for individual needs.

In this guide, we explore the uses of probiotics, beginning with their role in managing symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Moving beyond IBS health, probiotics are important in nurturing a flourishing gut microbiome, supporting digestive health, and avoiding a range of conditions, from digestive disorders to much more. Additionally, probiotics hold specific benefits for women's health, including reproductive health support, urinary tract infection prevention, and management of hormonal fluctuations across different life stages.

Stomach pain can be uncomfortable and maybe even frightening. Luckily stomach pain has some common causes, is usually self-limiting and in many cases can be self-treated at home with some helpful medication. Firstly, it is important to rule out causes for concern. If you are suffering from severe debilitating pain, or experiencing any other serious symptoms such as large volumes of blood in your vomit, fever, or unable to stay hydrated – you should seek advice from your doctor.

H. Pylori, or Helicobacter Pylori in full, is a common bacteria that can lives in your gut and for most people it causes no harm. However, for some it causes damage to the stomach lining which leaves it open to further damage from acids and toxins in the stomach. This may eventually lead to ulcers, where an area of lining gets worn through. In the beginning, you may have acid reflux symptoms that give heartburn or indigestion after eating or drinking. If this continues over time (weeks to months) without treatment, this may cause more lasting damage, giving gastritis or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), where indigestion symptoms are more frequent and long-lasting. Peptic ulcers – ulcers found in the stomach or small bowel – will cause severe abdominal pain that may leave you doubled over at times. There may be some internal bleeding, so you might notice your stools are black and tarry, or any vomit may resemble the colour and consistency of ground coffee. For this, you will need to seek urgent medical attention. It’s important you get your acid reflux symptoms recognised and treated, and if you test positive for H, Pylori, this should be treated promptly.

Foreign body ingestion occurs with any object that is small enough to pass into the mouth and be swallowed. This happens more often in children but can also happen in adults especially with food, like fish bones or medications. Most foreign bodies will pass on their own without any intervention. In children especially, some foreign bodies can be life-threatening if they obstruct the airways. In others, damage can occur to the windpipe and the digestive tract also.