Digestive Clinical Apsects

appendicitis

inflammation of the appendix

Ascites

abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen

barrett syndrome

condition resulting from chronic esophagitis, caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease

billary colic

acute abdominal pain caused by gallstones in the bile ducts

billirubin

pigment release in bile by liver, produced from hemoglobin destruction

caries

tooth decay

celiac disease

an inherited autoimmune disorder characterized by a severe reaction to foods containing gluten

Cholecystitis

inflammation of the gallbladder

Cirrhosis

Chronic disease of the liver

chrohn disease

chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract usually affecting the ileum and colon

diarrhea

frequent passage of loose, watery stools

Diverticulitis

Inflammation of diverticula in the colon.

Diverticulosis

the chronic presence of an abnormal number of diverticula in the colon

Dysphagia

difficulty swallowing

emesis

vomiting

fistula

abnormal passageway between two organs or between an internal organ and the body surface

gatroenteritis

inflammation of the stomach and small intestine

gastroespohageal reflux disease (GERD)

the upward flow of acid from the stomach into the esophagus

heartburn

burning sensation produced by acid reflux into the esophagus

Hemorrhoids

swollen, twisted, varicose veins in the rectal region

hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver, usually caused by a viral infection, that causes fever, loss of appetite, jaundice, fatigue, and altered liver function.

hepatomegaly

enlargement of the liver

hiatal hernia

protrusion of a part of the stomach upward through the opening in the diaphragm

icterus

jaundice

ileus

loss of peristalsis with resulting obstruction of the intestines

Intussusception

telescoping of a segment of the intestine

Jaundice

yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes caused by an accumulation of bile pigment (bilirubin) in the blood

Leukoplakia

thickened, white, leathery-looking spots on the inside of the mouth that can develop into oral cancer

nausea

an unpleasant sensation in the upper abdomen that often precedes vomiting; typically occurs in digestive upset, motion sickness, and sometimes early pregnancy

occult blood

blood present in such a small amounts that it can be detected only microscopically in the feces.

Pancreatitis

inflammation of the pancreas

peptic ulcer

open sore or lesion of the mucous membrane of the stomach or duodenum

Peritonitis

inflammation of the peritoneum (membrane lining the abdominal cavity and surrounding the organs within it)

polyp

a tumor that grows on a stalk and bleeds easily

pyloric stenosis

narrowing of the opening of the stomach to the duodenum

regurgitation

backward flowing, as in the return of solids or fluids to the mouth from the stomach

Splenomegaly

enlargement of the spleen

ulcerative colitis

chronic inflammation of the colon with presence of ulcers

volvulus

twisting of the bowel on itself, causing obstruction