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Digestive function

Stomach acid, bile and enzymes as groundwork for the gut. 9 chapters – expand

Level:Intermediate Stomach acid, bile and enzymes The groundwork in the stomach and small intestine determines what reaches the large intestine. Acid blockersMedicationBile acidsAlcoholBloatingTests and diagnostics Well supported How we rate the evidence Established Recommended in medical guidelines or supported by several consistent meta-analyses of randomised human studies. Well supported Several randomised studies in humans with largely consistent results. Promising Single randomised or controlled studies in humans, not yet independently confirmed — or many consistent observational studies. Plausible Two cases: first observational or pilot studies with small samples — or a settled basis that is not in dispute, such as movement, sleep or meal pauses. But not tested in humans for symptoms. Experimental Barely studied in humans. Mainly lab and animal studies or theoretical reasoning; whether it helps is open.
Level:Intermediate Bile acids: when bile causes diarrhoea Primary and secondary bile acids, the role of gut bacteria and why antibiotics can shift the balance. Bile acidsDiarrhoeaIBSTests and diagnostics Promising How we rate the evidence Established Recommended in medical guidelines or supported by several consistent meta-analyses of randomised human studies. Well supported Several randomised studies in humans with largely consistent results. Promising Single randomised or controlled studies in humans, not yet independently confirmed — or many consistent observational studies. Plausible Two cases: first observational or pilot studies with small samples — or a settled basis that is not in dispute, such as movement, sleep or meal pauses. But not tested in humans for symptoms. Experimental Barely studied in humans. Mainly lab and animal studies or theoretical reasoning; whether it helps is open. Community
Level:Intermediate Pelvic floor: when stool won’t come out properly Why straining sometimes does not help, how a defecation disorder shows itself and why biofeedback works better than laxatives. ConstipationExerciseTests and diagnostics Well supported How we rate the evidence Established Recommended in medical guidelines or supported by several consistent meta-analyses of randomised human studies. Well supported Several randomised studies in humans with largely consistent results. Promising Single randomised or controlled studies in humans, not yet independently confirmed — or many consistent observational studies. Plausible Two cases: first observational or pilot studies with small samples — or a settled basis that is not in dispute, such as movement, sleep or meal pauses. But not tested in humans for symptoms. Experimental Barely studied in humans. Mainly lab and animal studies or theoretical reasoning; whether it helps is open.
Level:Intermediate Sensitive stomach: fullness, upper abdominal pain and Helicobacter What is behind upper abdominal symptoms when the endoscopy is normal, why the Helicobacter test comes first and what else helps. BloatingIBSAcid blockersTests and diagnostics Promising How we rate the evidence Established Recommended in medical guidelines or supported by several consistent meta-analyses of randomised human studies. Well supported Several randomised studies in humans with largely consistent results. Promising Single randomised or controlled studies in humans, not yet independently confirmed — or many consistent observational studies. Plausible Two cases: first observational or pilot studies with small samples — or a settled basis that is not in dispute, such as movement, sleep or meal pauses. But not tested in humans for symptoms. Experimental Barely studied in humans. Mainly lab and animal studies or theoretical reasoning; whether it helps is open.
Level:Intermediate Pressure under the right ribs: bile, liver and gallstones A feeling of pressure in the upper right abdomen makes many people think of the gallbladder. What makes a real biliary colic, what “thick bile” means medically, and which other causes are more common. Bile acidsTests and diagnosticsBody weightFasting Promising How we rate the evidence Established Recommended in medical guidelines or supported by several consistent meta-analyses of randomised human studies. Well supported Several randomised studies in humans with largely consistent results. Promising Single randomised or controlled studies in humans, not yet independently confirmed — or many consistent observational studies. Plausible Two cases: first observational or pilot studies with small samples — or a settled basis that is not in dispute, such as movement, sleep or meal pauses. But not tested in humans for symptoms. Experimental Barely studied in humans. Mainly lab and animal studies or theoretical reasoning; whether it helps is open. Community
Level:Intermediate Digestive enzymes from mouth to colon: who breaks down what Saliva, stomach, pancreas, gut wall and bacteria each contribute their own enzymes. A map of where each enzyme works, and what happens when one is missing. FODMAPBloatingCoeliac disease and glutenTests and diagnostics Well supported How we rate the evidence Established Recommended in medical guidelines or supported by several consistent meta-analyses of randomised human studies. Well supported Several randomised studies in humans with largely consistent results. Promising Single randomised or controlled studies in humans, not yet independently confirmed — or many consistent observational studies. Plausible Two cases: first observational or pilot studies with small samples — or a settled basis that is not in dispute, such as movement, sleep or meal pauses. But not tested in humans for symptoms. Experimental Barely studied in humans. Mainly lab and animal studies or theoretical reasoning; whether it helps is open.
Level:Intermediate Gastroparesis: when the stomach empties too slowly Nausea, vomiting, feeling full after a few bites: in gastroparesis, food stays in the stomach too long. Why it can hardly be separated from functional dyspepsia, what diabetes, viruses and weight-loss injections have to do with it, and what helps. BloatingMedicationBlood sugarTests and diagnostics Promising How we rate the evidence Established Recommended in medical guidelines or supported by several consistent meta-analyses of randomised human studies. Well supported Several randomised studies in humans with largely consistent results. Promising Single randomised or controlled studies in humans, not yet independently confirmed — or many consistent observational studies. Plausible Two cases: first observational or pilot studies with small samples — or a settled basis that is not in dispute, such as movement, sleep or meal pauses. But not tested in humans for symptoms. Experimental Barely studied in humans. Mainly lab and animal studies or theoretical reasoning; whether it helps is open. Community
Level:Intermediate Life without a gallbladder: diarrhoea, fat and symptoms after surgery Gallbladder removal is one of the most common operations, and most people do well afterwards. Why some get diarrhoea, what lies behind post-cholecystectomy syndrome and why cutting the sphincter usually does not help. Bile acidsDiarrhoeaTests and diagnostics Promising How we rate the evidence Established Recommended in medical guidelines or supported by several consistent meta-analyses of randomised human studies. Well supported Several randomised studies in humans with largely consistent results. Promising Single randomised or controlled studies in humans, not yet independently confirmed — or many consistent observational studies. Plausible Two cases: first observational or pilot studies with small samples — or a settled basis that is not in dispute, such as movement, sleep or meal pauses. But not tested in humans for symptoms. Experimental Barely studied in humans. Mainly lab and animal studies or theoretical reasoning; whether it helps is open. Community
Level:Intermediate Nutrient deficiency in gut problems: when food no longer arrives Why gut symptoms can leave you short of iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, the fat-soluble vitamins and zinc, how to read blood results correctly and when supplements really help. NutrientsVitamins and fatty acidsDiarrhoeaTests and diagnosticsBody weight Well supported How we rate the evidence Established Recommended in medical guidelines or supported by several consistent meta-analyses of randomised human studies. Well supported Several randomised studies in humans with largely consistent results. Promising Single randomised or controlled studies in humans, not yet independently confirmed — or many consistent observational studies. Plausible Two cases: first observational or pilot studies with small samples — or a settled basis that is not in dispute, such as movement, sleep or meal pauses. But not tested in humans for symptoms. Experimental Barely studied in humans. Mainly lab and animal studies or theoretical reasoning; whether it helps is open.