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| Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) |
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"severe heartburn"
weakness of the valve between the esophagus and stomach may allow stomach acid to reflux into the esophagus and irritate and inflame the lining. |
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"yellow" in french
yellowing of the skin and whites of eyes from a backup of bile metabolic by-products from the blood into body tissues. May result from blockage of the ducts draining bile form the liver into the intestines or from excessive breakdown of red blood cells. Hemoglobing from destroyed RBC's is broken down, and ends up in bile secretions. |
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| Diverticulosis/diverticulitis |
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| small pouches may form along the walls of the large intestine called diverticuli, which if symptomatic, causing discomfort to the patient, is called diverticulosis. These abnormal outpocketings may collect and not be able to empty fecal material which can lead to inflammation, diverticulitis. |
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"orange-yellow" in Greek.
a degenerative disease of the liver that often develops in chronic alchoholics, but can have other causes. |
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| Difficulty swallowing. May be related to GERD, esophageal tumor, or other causes. |
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| a chronic inflammatory disease primarily of the bowel. Typical symtoms are abdominal pain, weight loss, and diarrhea. |
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| inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity. Before antibiotics, people would die from peritonitis if an inflamed appendix burst. "peritoneal signs" are: tender abdomen, rebound pain, board like rigidity of abdominal muscles, and no bowel sounds. |
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| physician specializing in diseases of the digestve system including esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Does not do surgery. |
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| a physician specializing in diseases of he re |
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| physician specializing in diseases of the rectum and anus. A surgical subspeciality. |
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| injecting a radioactive element into the blood stream that can image tumors in the liver. |
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| Guaiac Test (Hemoccult, Fecult) |
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| a chemical test to identify blood in the stool. Blood in the stool may have many causes including cancer and hemorrhoids. |
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| a series of X-rays of the esophagus and stomach and small intestines having the patient swallow a "milkshake of barium. The element barium is opaque, i.e., blocks X-rays. This procedure may be used to identify problems with swallowing, stomach ulcers, and twisting of small intestines. |
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a series of X-rays using a barium enema to show the large intestine and rectum. Can be used to identify problems such as diverticulitis/diverticulosis, and tumors. |
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| use of a flexible fiberoptic instrument attached to a video camera that can be used to directly visualize the esophagus, stomach and large bowel. Special names may be used for each area explored such as colonoscopy. |
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| Ultrasonography (ultrasound) |
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| a procedure using high frequency sound waves to visualize internal organs. Primarily used to visualize abdominal and pelvic organs, such as the pregnant uterus. |
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