digestive terms

aerophagia

aerophagia

excessive swallowing of air

anastomosis

surgical joining/connection of 2 ducts, vessels, or bowel segments to allow flow from one to another

anorexia nervosa

eating disorder from a fear of weight gain; leads people to starve themselves

antiemetic

drug that is effective against vomiting and nausea

aphthous ulcers

“canker sores”; small, painful, round ulcers in the oral mucosa of unknown cause

ascites

abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen

bariatrics

branch of medicine concerned with the prevention and control of obesity and associated diseases

borborygmus

the rumbling noise caused by movement of gas in the intestine

bulimia nervosa

eating disorder, episodes of overeating, of high calorie foods, followed by vomiting, laxative use, fasting, or excessive exercise

cachexia

condition of physical wasting away due to loss of weight and muscle mass that occurs in [patients with diseases such as advanced cancer or AIDS

celiac disease

autoimmune disorder that causes immune mediated response to eating gluten. Leads to inflmmation of the small bowel and can result in malabsorption of nutrients

cheilosis

inflammatory that causes crackling, crusting, and scaling of the corners of the mouth

cholangiography

imagine of bile duct by x-rays and injection of contrast medium

cholangitis

acute inflammation of the bile duct causing pain in upper right quadrant of the abdomen, fever, and jaundice

cholecystectomy

surgical removal of the gallbladder

cholecystitis

inflammation of the gallbladder; usually associated with gallstones

Choledocholithotomy

surgical incision of the common bile duct for removal of a gallstone

cholelithiasis

gallstones; hardened pieces of bile that form in your gallbladder or bile ducts

cirrhosis

condition in which liver is scarred and permanently damaged

colonoscopy

procedure to check the inside of your entire colon (large intestine)

colostomy

operation that creates an opening in the colon through the abdomen

crohn’s disease

inflammatory bowel disease that causes tissue swelling in the digestive tract. This leads to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and malnutrition

Diverticulitis

inflammation of the small, bulging pouches called diverticula in the digestive tract

diverticulosis

formation of abnormal pouches in bowel wall. Alongside diverticulitis, conditions known as diverticula disease. Treatment includes change of diet, antibiotics, rarely surgery

Dyspepsia

Indigestion. Chronic indigestion have feelings of stomach pain, over-fullness and bloating during + after eating. Other symptoms, acid reflux, heartburn. Excessive burping.

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing. Can be painful and swallowing can be impossible.

Enteritis

inflammation of small intestine, often caused by eating/drinking things contaminated with bacteria

eructation

release of air from stomach or esophagus through mouth ( a belch)

esophageal varices

dilated submucosal distal esophageal veins connecting the portal and systemic circulation. They are abnormal and often occur when blood flow to the liver is blocked.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

procedure to examine inside of esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (EGD)

Gastroduodenostomy

surgical operation where duodenum is joined to a new opening in the stomach—to bypass an obstruction

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

occurs when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the tubeconnecting your mouth and stomach—irritates the lining of your esophagus

gastrostomy

surgically placed device used to give access to your child’s stomach for supplemental feeding, hydration, or medicine

hematemesis

vomiting blood

hemoccult test

fecal occult blood test looks for blood in stool; blood in stool may be a sign of hemorrhoids, colorectal cancer, or another condition

hepatitis

inflammation of the liver

herpes labialis

oral herpes, infection of mouth area that causes small, painful blisters to develop on lips, gums, or throat

hiatal hernia

protrusion of superior part of the stomach above the diaphragm, resulting in entry of gastric juice into the esophagus

hyperemesis

severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy

ileus

lack of movement in intestines causing buildup (blockage) of food material, which can lead to intestinal obstruction

inguinal hernia

protrusion of a small loop of bowel through a weak place in the lower abdominal wall or groin

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 patches inside the mouth

melena

dark tarry stool with or without visible blood caused by damage to the upper GI tract lining, swollen blood vessels, or bleeding disorders

morbid obesity

class III obesity; chronic disease which a person has a body mass index of 40 or higher or a BMI of 35 or higher

nasogastric intubation

type of medical catheter inserted via nose to stomach to deliver substances such as food or medications or to draw substances out

obesity

disorder of having too much body fat, which leads to an increased risk of health issues

palatoplasty

surgical procedure used to reconstruct the palate in a person with a cleft palate

peptic ulcers

a sore “ulcer” that occurs when acid within the digestive tract eats away at the inner surface of the stomach or small intestine

peristalsis

waves of contraction seen in tubelike organs; propels substances along the tract

polyp

benign mucosal tumors in the large intestine that can become cancerous

proctologist

branch of study that is concerned with the anus and rectum

regurgitation

act of bringing swallowed food back up to the mouth

salmonellosis

common bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract

sigmoidoscopy

examination of the lower colon using a sigmoidoscope that is inserted into the rectum

stomatitis

inflammation or irritation of the mucous membranes in the mouth

trimus

lockjaw; tetanic spasms of muscles of mastication

ulcerative colitis

walls of large intestine + rectum become inflamed; a form of IBD

volvulus

loop of intestine twist around and mesentery itself causing bowl obstruction

xerostomia

lack of saliva to keep mouth wet