GI Glossary
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
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Achalasia: An uncommon disorder of the esophagus causing difficulty in swallowing. The muscle at the end of the esophagus does not relax enough for food to pass. This condition can be diagnosed by esophageal manometry.
Achlorhydria: A lack of acid production in the stomach.
Acute: Acute inflammation of the pancreas. It can cause abdominal pain, nausea, Pancreatititis and vomiting. It can be quite severe in some patients.
Aerophagia: Swallowing air. Can cause bloating, abdominal pain, and passing intestinal gas.
Ambulatory pH-Monitoring: See pH monitoring.
Amebiasis: An acute or chronic parasitic infection o f the intestines. Symptoms vary from mild diarrhea to watery diarrhea and loss of water and fluids of the body.
Anal Fissure: A small tear in the anus that may cause itching, pain, or bleeding.
Anal Fistula: A channel that develops between the anus and the skin. Usually a result of an infection that spreads to the skin. It may be a complication from inflammatory bowel disease.
Anorectal EMG: A test to determine the electrical activity of the anal sphincter in patients with difficulty with defecation.
Anorectal Manometry: A test to determine the pressure of the anal sphincter in patients with fecal incontinence (leakage of stools) and patients with difficulty with defecation.
Appendicitis: Reddening, irritation, inflammation, and pain in the appendix caused by infection, scarring, or blockage.
Appendix: A pouch attached to the first part of the large intestine (cecum). The function of the appendix is not known.
Atrophic Gastritis: Chronic irritation of the stomach lining causing the stomach lining and the glands to wither away.
Autoimmune Hepatitis: A liver disease caused by the body’s own immune system.
Barium Enema: An x-ray of the rectum, colon, and lower part of the small intestine. The barium is given rectally to coat the lining of the colon so that abnormal areas will show up on the x-ray. Also called a Lower GI Series.
Barrett’s Esophagus: An abnormal lining of the esophagus caused by acid reflux into the esophagus from the stomach (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Patients with Barrett’s esophagus are at increased risk for developing esophageal cancer later in life.
Bernstein Testing: A test to look for acid sensitivity in the esophagus and to reproduce symptoms in patients with unexplained chest pain. This test is not as good as an ambulatory pH monitoring in detecting gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Bile Acids: Acids made by the liver that work with bile to break down fats in the intestines.
Bile Ducts: Ducts that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder for storage and to the small intestine for use in digestion.
Biliary Tract: The gallbladder and the bile ducts. Also called biliary system or biliary tree.
Bilirubin: The substance formed when hemoglobin breaks down. Bilirubin gives bile the green color. Bilirubin is normally passed in stool. Too much bilirubin causes jaundice.
Budd-Chiari Syndrome: A rare liver disease in which the veins that drain blood from the liver are blocked or narrowed.
Colonoscopy: A medical test to look for early signs of cancer of the colon and rectum. A thin, flexible tube, called a colonoscope is inserted into the rectum. The colonoscope takes pictures and looks at the lining of the colon.
Defecography: An x-ray of the anus and rectum to show how the muscles work to move stool.
Diverticula: Small pouches in the colon. These pouches are not painful or harmful unless they become infected or irritated. It is usually caused by chronic constipation and poor fiber diet.
Diverticulosis: When the pouches (diverticula) push outward through weak spots in the colon. It usually occurs in adults. It is most likely caused by not enough fiber in the diet. Most patients with diverticulosis will not have symptoms. Some patients can develop diverticulitis or bleeding.
Dubin-Johnson Syndrome: An inherited form of liver disease causing chronic jaundice. It usually occurs in young children.
Dumping A Syndrome: condition that occurs when food moves too fast from the stomach into the small intestine. Symptoms are nausea, pain, weakness, and sweating. It can occur after stomach surgery.
Dysphagia: Problems in swallowing food or liquid. It is usually caused by blockage or injury to the esophagus from acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
EGD: See Esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy
Endoscope: A small, flexible tube with a light and a lens on the end. It can be used to look into the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, colon, or rectum. It can also be used to take tissue from the body for testing or to take color photographs of the inside of the body. Upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, and sigmoidoscopy are types of endoscopes.
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-(ERCP): A test using an x-ray to look into the bile and pancreatic ducts. The doctor inserts an endoscope through the mouth into the duodenum and bile ducts. Dye is sent through the tube into the ducts. The dye makes the ducts show pancreatography up on an x-ray.
Endoscopic Sphincterotomy: An endoscopic procedure to cut the muscle between the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct. The doctor uses a catheter and a wire to remove gallstones or other blockages. Also called endoscopic papillotomy. It is performed along with an ERCP.
Endoscopic Ultrasound: An endoscopic procedure using ultrasound waves to detect and to biopsy abnormal areas on the wall or just outside the intestinal tract. It is often used to determine the extent of cancers in the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and rectum.
Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis: A rare inflammation and swelling of the lining of the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine. The cause is unclear. It can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea.
ERCP: See Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
Escherichia Coli Bacteria: that causes infection and irritation of the large intestine. The bacteria are spread by unclean water, dirty cooking utensils, or uncooked meat. It is often the cause for food poisoning of the intestines.
Esophageal Balloon Testing: A test to look for sensitivity of distending a balloon in the esophagus (swallowing tube) in patients with unexplained chest pain. Patients with chest pain from the esophagus will have a lower threshold for pain with balloon distention.
Esophageal Manometry: A test to study the function of the esophagus, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and the upper esophageal sphincter (UES). It is also performed in patients before antireflux surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), suspected achalasia, and locating the LES before pH monitoring.
Esophageal Varices: Stretched and dilated veins in the esophagus that occur when the liver is not working properly, as in cirrhosis. If the veins burst, the severe bleeding can cause death.
Esophagitis: An inflammation and irritation of the esophagus usually caused by acid that flows up from the stomach. It is a complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGD) or Upper Endoscopy: A test where the doctor inserts a small, flexible endoscope through the mouth into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. It can also be used to take tissue from the body for testing or to take color photographs of the inside of the body.
Familial Polyposis: An inherited disease causing many polyps in the colon. Because these polyps are almost certain to cause colon cancer later in life, the entire colon is often removed to prevent colorectal cancer.
Fatty Liver: The build-up of fat in liver cells. The most common cause is alcoholism. Other causes include obesity, diabetes, and pregnancy. Also called steatosis.
Fecal Incontinence: Unable to hold stool in the colon and rectum.
Fecal Occult: A test to see whether there is blood in the stool that is not visible to the
Blood Test (FOBT): naked eye. A sample of stool is placed on a chemical strip that will change color if blood is present. This test is recommended for screening colorectal cancer. Hidden blood in the stool can be a manifestation of colorectal cancer.
Fulminant Hepatic: Liver failure that occurs suddenly in a previously healthy person. The
Failure (FHF): most common causes of FHF are viral hepatitis, acetaminophen overdose, and liver damage from prescription drugs.
Gardner’s Syndrome: A condition in which many polyps form throughout the digestive tract. Because these polyps are likely to cause cancer, the colon and rectum are often removed to prevent colon cancer.
Gastric Acid Analysis: A test to measure the amount of acid production in patients suspected with hypersecretion of acid and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Gastric Ulcer: An open sore in the lining of the stomach.
Gastrin: A hormone released after eating. Gastrin causes the stomach to produce more acid.
Gastrinoma: A rare tumor that actively produces the hormone gastrin. Patients with gastrinoma may present with heartburn, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss.
Gastritis: An inflammation of the stomach lining. It is usually caused by the bacterial Helicobacter Pylori. Other causes include aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), and alcohol.
Gastroenteritis: An infection or irritation of the stomach and intestines. May be caused by bacteria or parasites from spoiled food or unclean water. Other causes include eating food that irritates the stomach lining and emotional upsets such as anger, fear, or stress. Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramping.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Abnormal flow of the stomach’s content back up into the esophagus. It occurs when the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach (the lower esophageal sphincter) is weak or relaxes when it shouldn’t. The most common symptoms are heartburn and regurgitation, especially after meals and lying down at night. Other less common symptoms include non-cardiac chest pain, wheezing, shortness of breath, chronic cough, hoarseness, and throat discomfort. Complications of GERD include esophagitis, stricture of the esophagus, and Barrett’s esophagus.
Gastroparesis: Nerve or muscle damage in the stomach. It causes slow digestion and slow emptying of the stomach. It can cause nausea, vomiting, feeling full after a small meal, bloating, abdominal pain, and heartburn. This condition is common in patients with a long history of diabetes.
GERD: See Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
Giardiasis: An infection with the parasite Giardia lamblia from spoiled food or unclean water. May cause diarrhea. See also Gastroenteritis.
Gilbert Syndrome: A buildup of bilirubin in the blood. Caused by lack of a liver enzymes needed to break down bilirubin.
Globus Sensation: A constant feeling of a lump in the throat. It can be caused by acid coming up to the throat from the stomach, a complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Gluten: A protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats. In people who can’t digest it, gluten damages the lining of the small intestine, a condition called Celiac Sprue.
H2-Blockers: Medicines that reduce the amount of acid the stomach produces. They block histamine2. Histamine signals the stomach to make acid. Prescription H2-blockers are cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), famotidine (Pepcid), and nizatidine (Axid). They are used to treat heartburn and ulcer symptoms. Non-prescription H2-blockers are Tagamet-HB, Zantac 75, Pepcid-AC, and Axid AR.
Helicobacter pylori: A spiral-shaped bacterium found in the stomach. H.pylori damages the stomach and duodenal tissue, causing ulcers in the stomach and the first part of the small intestines (duodenum. Previously called Campylobacter pylori.
Hemochromatosis (H.pylori): An inherited disease that occurs when the body absorbs too much iron. The body stores the excess iron in the liver, pancreas, and other organs. It affects males more than females. Females are more protected because of losing iron through menstruation. May cause liver disease and even cirrhosis of the liver, if not treated. Also called iron overload disease. Family members of patients with inherited hemochromatosis should also be tested for presence of hemochromatosis.
Hepatic: A condition that may cause loss of consciousness and coma. It is usually.
Encephalopathy: the result of advanced liver disease (cirrhosis). Also called hepatic coma.
Hepatitis A: A virus most often spread by unclean food and water. It can cause nausea, diarrhea, and jaundice. In a few rare cases, it can cause severe sudden liver failure.
Hepatitis B: A virus commonly spread by sexual intercourse or blood transfusion, or from mother to newborn from birth. Another way it spreads is by using a needle that was used by an infected person. Hepatitis B is more common and much more easily spread than the AIDS virus, and may lead to cirrhosis if not treated.
Hepatitis C: A virus spread by blood transfusion or sharing needles with infected people. Hepatitis C may lead to cirrhosis or even liver cancer. Hepatitis C used to be called non-A, non-B hepatitis. It is the most common cause of chronic hepatitis in the United States.
Hepatitis D (Delta): A virus that occurs mostly in people who take illegal drugs by using needles. Only people who have hepatitis B can get hepatitis D.
Hepatitis E: A virus spread mostly through unclean water. This type of hepatitis is common in developing countries. It is extremely rare in the United States.
Hiatal Hernia: A small opening in the diaphragm that slows the upper part of the stomach to move up to the chest. It causes heartburn from stomach acid flowing back up through the opening. It is very common in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Hirschsprung’s Disease: A birth defect in which some nerve cells are lacking in the large intestine. The rectum cannot move stool through, causing severe constipation. It usually occurs in infants and children.
Hydrogen Breath Test: A test for conditions of lactose intolerance or bacteria overgrowth. It is a non-invasive test to measure breath samples for too much hydrogen.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): An immune disorder that causes inflammation and ulcers in the GI tract. The two types of inflammatory bowel diseases are Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease. It can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and rectal bleeding.
Intestinal Gas: Everyone has gas and eliminates it by burping or passing it through the rectum. However, some people may have symptoms that may be bothersome, such as abdominal distention, bloating, belching, and passing gas.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A very common disorder involving the motion of the intestinal tract. Nerves that control the muscles in the GI tract are too active. The GI tract also becomes sensitive to food, stool, gas, and stress. Causes abdominal pain, urgency in having bowel movements, and alternating constipation and diarrhea. Also called spastic colon.
Jaundice: A symptom of many liver disorders. Jaundice causes the skin and eyes to turn yellow from too much bilirubin in the blood.
Lactose Intolerance: Being unable to digest lactose, a very common carbohydrate found in milk products. This condition occurs because the body lacks the enzyme lactase to digest lactose. It causes abdominal bloating, diarrhea, and excessive gas after eating milk products. It can occur in adults as well as children.
Lower Esophageal Sphincter: The muscle between the esophagus and stomach. When a person swallows, this muscle relaxes to let food pass from the esophagus to the stomach. It stays closed at other times to keep stomach contents from flowing back into the esophagus. If the LES is too weak or relaxes too frequently, it can cause gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Liver Cancer: Liver cancer can either be primary (originating from the liver) or metastatic (spread from another body organ to the liver). There are many conditions that put an individual at risk for developing primary liver cancer, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hemochromatosis, or any conditions that cause cirrhosis.
Liver Tumor: Tumors of the liver can be either benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Lower Esophageal: See Schatzki’s Ring.
Mallory-Weiss Tear: A tear in the lower end of the esophagus causing intestinal bleeding. It is caused by severe vomiting and retching.
Meckel’s Diverticulum: A birth defect in which a small sac forms in the ileum. It can become infected or bleeding can occur.
Menetrier’s Disease: A long-term disorder that causes large, coiled folds in the stomach. Also called giant hypertrophic gastritis.
Motility: The term to describe the movement of food throughout the digestive tract.
Nissen Fundoplication: An operation to sew the top of the stomach (fundus) around the esophagus in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is performed to stop stomach contents from flowing back into the esophagus (reflux) and to repair a hiatal hernia. This surgery can be performed using minimally invasive techniques without having a large scar on the abdomen.
Non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS):Commonly used medications for pain, headache, arthritis, etc. They include over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen and most prescribed drugs for arthritis.
Non-ulcer Dyspepsia: Pain or discomfort in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms. include burning, nausea, and bloating, but no ulcer.
Pancreas: A gland that makes enzymes for digestion and hormones such as insulin.
Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas. See also acute pancreatitis ands chronic pancreatitis.
Pepsin: An enzyme made in the stomach that breaks down proteins.
Peptic Ulcer: A sore in the lining of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum. A majority of the cases are caused by a bacteria, Helicobacter pylori. An ulcer in the stomach is a gastric ulcer; an ulcer in the duodenum is a duodenal ulcer.
Peristalsis: A wavelike movement of muscles in the GI tract. Peristalsis moves food and liquid through the GI tract.
Pernicious Anemia: Anemia caused by a lack of vitamin B12. The body needs B12 to make red blood cells.
Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome: An inherited condition. Many polyps grow in the intestine. However, these colons have little risk of cancer.
pH Monitoring: The best test available to detect abnormal acid reflux in those with symptoms of heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, cough, hoarseness, throat clearing, throat pain or wheezing. This test is very helpful if the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is unclear, or the patient is not responding to treatment. This test records the amount of acid reflux over a 24-hour period to simulate the patient’s usual environment. Most patients tolerate this test without problems.
Polyp: Tissue bulging from the surface of an organ. See also colon polyps.
Porphyria: A group of rare, inherited blood disorders. When a person has porphyria, cells fail to change chemicals (porphyrins) to the substance (heme) that gives blood its color. Porphyrins then build up in the body. They show up in large amounts in stool and urine, causing the urine to be colored blue.
Portal Hypertension: High blood pressure in the portal vein. This vein carries important nutrients from the intestines to the liver. Portal hypertension is a common complication of cirrhosis. It can form abnormal veins (varices) in the esophagus and the stomach. These veins can lead to severe gastrointestinal bleeding.
Primary Biliary: Cirrhosis A chronic immune-related liver disease that slowly destroys the bile ducts in the liver. This prevents release of bile. Long-term irritation of the liver may cause scarring and cirrhosis in later stages of the disease.
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: Irritation, scarring, and narrowing of the bile ducts inside and outside the liver. Bile builds up in the liver and may damage its cells. Many people with this condition may have inflammatory bowel disease.
Prokinetic Drugs Medicines: that improve the motion and contraction of the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract. Examples include metoclopramide (Reglan), domperidone (Motilium), cisapride (Propulsid), and erythromycin. These drugs may be used for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastroparesis, bloating, and constipation.
Proton Pump Inhibitors: Medicines that are very affective in stoping the stomach’s acid pump. Examples are omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), and rabeprazole (Aciphex). These drugs may be used for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and peptic ulcer disease.
Pseudomembranous Colitis: Irritation and inflammation of the colon. Caused by Clostridium difficile bacteria. Occurs after taking oral antibiotics, which kill bacteria that normally live in the colon.
Radiation Colitis: Damage to the colon from radiation therapy.
Schatzki’s Ring: An abnormal ring of thin tissue that may partially block the lower esophagus causing difficulty in swallowing. Also called Lower Esophageal Ring.
Sigmoidoscopy: Looking into the sigmoid colon and rectum with a flexible tube, called a sigmoidoscope. This test is recommended for the general population as a screening test to look for colorectal cancer.
Small bowel Manometry: A test for the motion property of the small intestines. This test is usually performed in patients with unexplained or persistent symptoms of nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain.
Somatostatin: A hormone in the pancreas. Somatostatin helps tell the body when to make the other hormones, such as insulin, glucagon, gastrin, secretin, and renin.
Sphincter of Oddi: The muscle between the common bile duct and pancreatic ducts.
Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (SOD): Abnormal function of the sphincter of Oddi muscle. It can cause abdominal pain, acute pancreatitis, nausea and vomiting.
Sphincter of Oddi Manometry: To test the pressures of the muscle between the common bile duct and pancreatic ducts.
Spleen: The organ that cleans blood and makes white blood cells. White blood cells attack bacteria and other foreign cells.
Steatorrhea: A condition in which the body cannot absorb fat. Causes a buildup of fat in the stool and loose, greasy and foul bowel movements.
Tensilon Testing: A test where acid is slowing infused into the esophagus to reproduce non-cardiac chest pain from stomach acid.
Traveler’s Diarrhea: An infection caused by unclean food or drink. Often occurs during travel outside one’s own country. See also Gastroenteritis.
Ulcerative Colitis: A disease that causes ulcers and inflammation in the inner lining of the colon and rectum. It is a form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
Urea Breath Test: A simple breath test used to detect Helicobacter pylor infection. The test measures breath samples for urease, an enzyme H. pylori makes.
Varices: Stretched veins such as those that form in the esophagus from cirrhosis. They can cause severe gastrointestinal bleeding.
Viral Hepatitis: Hepatitis caused by a virus. Five different viruses (A, B, C, D, and E) can cause viral hepatitis.
Wilson’s Disease: An inherited disorder. Too much copper builds up ion the liver ands is slowly released into other parts of the body. The overload can cause liver and brain damage if not treated with medication.
Zenker’s Diverticulum: Pouches in the esophagus from increased pressure in and around the esophagus. It can cause difficulty in swallowing, choking, and aspiration.
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome: A group of symptoms that occur when a tumor called a gastrinoma forms in the pancreas. The tumor, which may cause cancer, releases large amounts of the hormone gastrin. The gastrin causes too much acid in the duodenum, resulting in ulcers, bleeding, and even perforation.