Liver health Archive

Enlarged red blood cells on a routine blood test can have several explanations. Find out what your results may mean and when follow-up is needed.

An elevated GGT result can have several explanations, from supplements and pain relievers to underlying liver conditions.

A low sodium result can have several explanations, and the clues often come from your medications, fluid balance, and overall health.

One reason people eat yogurt is because it contains probiotics — beneficial bacteria and yeasts that improve digestion, provide protection from dangerous organisms, and boost the immune system. But not everyone likes the taste or texture of yogurt, so here are some other foods that offer the same benefits.

More than half of US adults over 60 have diverticulosis, a condition where part of the wall of the colon bulges outward and forms tiny pouches. Diverticulosis does not cause symptoms, but if a pouch becomes inflamed or infected it becomes diverticulitis, which can be mild or more serious.

Discover what bilirubin is, why levels rise on blood tests, and how liver, bile ducts, or red blood cells can each play a role in hyperbilirubinemia.

Recovering from diverticulitis and unsure about fruits and veggies? See how your diet should change short term and what to focus on long term.

Longtime guidance about skipping nuts, seeds, and popcorn after diverticulitis is being challenged. Learn what newer research suggests about your diet.

Back and pelvic pain in people with Crohn’s can signal sacroiliitis or other joint inflammation. Learn how doctors sort this out from routine back strain.

Not all cases of gallstones need treatment. Many people have gallstones that never cause pain or other symptoms and can be left alone. But if gallstones cause persistent pain or other symptoms, doctors often opt to surgically remove the gallbladder.