Homeopathic medicines are prescribed based on the totality of various physical and psychological symptoms, not just a single symptom or disease label for a complete recovery.

Common digestive problems include

• Heartburn/GERD - People will experience heartburn symptoms when excessive amounts of acid reflux into the esophagus. Many describe heartburn as a feeling of burning discomfort that can last for several hours and often worsen after eating food. Pregnancy, some medications, and consuming alcohol or certain foods can cause heartburn. Kids under age 12 and some adults may have GERD without heartburn, instead experiencing asthma-like symptoms, trouble swallowing, or a dry cough.

• Dyspepsia/indigestion - A feeling of fullness during a meal, uncomfortable fullness after a meal, and burning or pain in the upper abdomen. Indigestion is common in adults and can occur once in a while or as often as every day.

• Nausea and vomiting - The cause of an acute episode of nausea and vomiting is typically determined through detailed history and physical examination. These may be caused by viruses or bacteria and includes gall bladder infections (cholecystitis), appendicitis, viral hepatitis and diverticulitis.

• Peptic ulcer disease - The two most common types of peptic ulcer are called ‘gastric ulcers' and ‘duodenal ulcers'. Pain is often in the upper abdomen. Sometimes food makes the pain better, and sometimes it makes it worse. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, or feeling bloated or full.

• Abdominal pain

• Belching, bloating, flatulence, halitosis(bad breath)

• Gallstones

• Constipation - One of the most frequent gastrointestinal complaints. The American College of Gastroenterology defines constipation based upon symptoms including unsatisfactory defecation with either infrequent stools, difficult stool passage or both. Any recent change in bowel habits, if persistent, may be cause for concern. A combination of an adequate intake of fluids, adequate exercise, and a high-fiber diet may prevent constipation.

• Diarrhea (acute and chronic) - Most cases of acute, watery diarrhea are caused by viruses (viral gastroenteritis). Chronic diarrhea is classified as fatty or malabsorption, inflammatory or most commonly watery. Chronic bloody diarrhea may be due to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Other less common causes include ischemia of the gut, infections, radiation therapy and colon cancer or polyps.

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - A chronic functional disorder that is characterized by recurring abdominal discomfort or pain associated with an altered bowel habit, constipation, diarrhea or both. IBS is different from routine, occasional constipation or diarrhea that may not be abnormal.

• Hemorrhoids, Anal fissure and Fistula - External hemorrhoids may be present and cause no symptoms. When they cause symptoms, the most common are pain or itching; they can often be felt as a bulge in the skin near the anal opening. Internal hemorrhoids may be present and cause no symptoms. When they cause symptoms, the most common are painless rectal bleeding, which usually is seen as bright red blood on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl. It is important to know that just a few drops of blood in toilet water can change the color of the water dramatically. Other symptoms are itching, pain/soreness or feeling tissue come out when having a bowel movement.

Factors influence the GI tract and its motility including:

• Low fiber diet

• Lacking regular exercise

• Traveling or other changes in routine

• Less water intake

• Stress and multitasking while eating

• Resisting the urge to have a bowel movement

• Overusing laxatives (stool softeners) that, over time, weaken the bowel muscles

• Taking antacid medicines containing calcium or aluminum

• Taking certain medicines (especially antidepressants, iron pills, and strong pain medicines such as narcotics)

• Pregnancy

Treatment includes a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. Homeopathic remedies can be highly effective in treating acute digestive conditions such as the food poisoning, bloody diarrhea, and pancreatitis, as well as chronic digestive conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and hemorrhoids.