This is designed to provide you with information so that you may better understand how your digestive system functions and the nature of any digestive disorder you have. It also will help you understand why you may have been treated in a particular way by your physicians.

The function of each organ making up your gastrointestinal tract is discussed in the following order: Esophagus, Stomach, Small Intestine, Liver, Gallbladder, Pancreas, Colon, and Anus. After a brief discussion of the function of each of these organs, the more common disorders associated with each are listed. If you are not interested or do not have the time to read the entire booklet, but are specifically interested in one particular disorder, this format will enable you to turn to the section about the organ in which you have an interest. Read the brief discussion on its function and purpose, and then focus on the disorder.