Digestive System Disease Focus

Digestive System

Gastroenterology

Branch of medicine that studies digestive disease

Gastroenterologist

The physican that studies the digestive diseases

Enterologist

A physician who studies just the intestines

Gastrointestinal endoscopy

To view inside the GI tract

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

View inside the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, combined called the Upper GI Tract

Colonoscopy

View inside the colon

Cholangiography

An imaging technique that uses a contrast medium to reveal gallstones or another obstruction in the bile ducts

Upper Gastrointestinal Series; UGIS; barium swallow

Radiographic (tracer=barium) images of the Upper GI Tract

Nasogastric (NG) intubation

Medication or food administered or removed through a NG tube (catheter) inserted in the nostrils and ending in the stomach

Paracentesis

Long ,thin needle inserted in the abdomen to remove fluid from abdominal cavity

Abdominocentesis

Long ,thin needle inserted in the abdomen to remove fluid from abdominal cavity

Anastomosis

The surgical joining of two ducts; like in gastric bypass surgery.

Colectomy

Is used when all or part of the colon is removed

Polypectomy

Excision of a polyp

Laparoscopic appendectomy

Minimally invasive removal of appendix

Open appendectomy

Normal invasive removal of appendix

Colostomy

Procedure in which a (mouth-like) small opening is made in the abdomen and the healthy end of the large intestine is sutured in place at the opening, requiring an external bag to hold fecal flow

Colostomy

Happens if there is disease of colon or injury or problem with anus

Dysphagia

Difficult or painful swallowing

Dyspepsia

Difficult or painful digestion

Eupepsia

Normal/good digestion

Anorexia

Loss of any/without appetite

Flatus

Expelling of air from an orifice (the anus)

Diarrhea

Discharge or flow from the bowels

Halitosis

Foul-smelling bad breath

Dysentery

Inflammation of intestines that results in bloody diarrhea

Hyperemesis

Excessive vomiting

Perforation

A hole within a structure is called

Internal organs

What does “visceral” refer to

Hernia

When an organ protrudes through a hole in an organ/tissue that normally contains it

Congenital hernia

When an organ protrudes through a hole in an organ/tissue that normally contains it and is present at birth

Rectocele

Herniation of the rectum

Cholelithiasis

Presence of gallstones in the gallbladder

Choledocholithiasis

Presence of gallstones in the common bile duct of the gallbladder

Borborygmus

Rumbling noises from passage of gas through liquid contents inside the intestines

Ascites

Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity

Cirrhosis

Scarring and dysfunction of the liver

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)

Disorder caused by infection of H.pylori bacteria of the mucous membranes

Peptic/ Gastric ulcers

Perforations (open sores) of the stomach and duodenum

Melena (a black, tarry stool) or hematemesis

Acute cases of PUD can cause bleeding of the ulcers and result in

Chronic Liver Disease can cause

Cirrhosis (scarring and dysfunction) of the liver

Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen (ascites)

Jaundice due to elevated yellow pigments called bilirubin serum

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

Known as “spastic colon”

Characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel function

Usually caused by anxiety/stress

Crohn Disease

Chronic inflammation of the digestive tract

Regional enteritis

Crohn Disease is also called

Colorectal cancer

Originates from the epithelial lining of the large intestines

Colorectal cancer can cause

Bowel inconsistencies

Blood or mucus in stool

Diarrhea and obstipation (severe constipation)

Stool Guaiac

Test used to determine presence of hidden (occult) blood in feces due to bleeding of ulcers

Hemoccult

Stool Guaiac also called

Stool Culture

Test used to determine presence of microorganisms or parasites causing an infection

Hematemesis

Symptom caused by peptic ulcers, known commonly as vomiting blood

EGD

Abbreviation for the visual examination of the Esophaus, stomach, and duodenum

Flatus

Gas in the GI trac that is expelled