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Stomach and bowel

Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, management and prevention of conditions that affect the stomach and bowel.

Abdominal hernias in adults

A lump that happens when an organ or tissue pushes through a weak spot in the wall of your abdomen (tummy).

Botulism

Botulism is a very rare but life-threatening condition that causes paralysis (muscle weakness). It is caused by bacteria found throughout the environment in soil, dust, honey and some marine environments.

Constipation in adults

Constipation is a very common problem. It either means passing hard or painful bowel motions (poos) or going to the toilet less often than usual to empty your bowels.

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is a term used to describe the combination of diarrhoea, nausea (with or without vomiting), stomach pain and fever. Gastroenteritis is usually caused by an infection in the stomach and intestines. It is highly infectious, and large numbers of people can be affected in a short amount of time.

Inflammatory bowel disease

Conditions in which your bowel (intestines) get inflamed, red and swollen. This leads to symptoms such as runny poos and stomach pain.

Intestinal failure

When a large part of the intestine is missing or does not work properly.

Nausea and vomiting in adults

Nausea is a sick or queasy feeling. You may have this with or without vomiting. Vomiting (or throwing up) is when you cannot keep food, or anything else in your stomach.

Norovirus

A virus that causes gastroenteritis. It is very infectious.

Yersinia

Yersiniosis is a bacterial infection that can cause acute stomach illness. It is rare in Aotearoa New Zealand. Yersiniosis is not usually serious and most people recover quickly. It is caused by infection with 'Yersinia pseudotuberculosis' or 'Yersinia enterocolitica'.