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Glossary
Abdominal Paracentisis
- (also Abdominal Tap). This laboratory analysis will help determine why fluid
is present in the abdomen. The test is frequently performed to check for
internal bleeding.
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Abdominal Ultrasound - Abdominal ultrasound is a scanning technique
used to image the interior of the abdomen. The test is done in the ultrasound or
radiology department.
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Anal Fissure - A small split or tear in the anal mucosa that may
cause painful bowel movements, bleeding with streaks of blood on the outside of
the stool, or blood on the toilet tissue.
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Anemia. - Decreased ability of the red blood cells to provide
adequate oxygen supplies to body tissues. May be due to decreased number of red
blood cells, decreased amount of substance in red blood cells which transports
oxygen (hemoglobin), or decreased volume of red blood cells.
Types of anemia include:
anemia of B12 deficiency
anemia of chronic disease
anemia of folate deficiency
drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia
hemolytic anemia
hemolytic anemia due to g6pd deficiency
idiopathic aplastic anemia
idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia
immune hemolytic anemia
iron deficiency anemia
megaloblastic anemia
pernicious anemia
secondary aplastic anemia
sickle cell anemia
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Anoscopy - This test is commonly used to determine if a patient has
hemorrhoids, anal polyps, inflammation, fissures, or an infection.
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Barium Enema (or lower gastrointestinal series) - This test
is used to detect colon cancer. The barium enema may also be used to diagnose
and evaluate the extent of inflammatory bowel diseases. This test may be done in
an office or a hospital radiology department.
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Barium swallow (also GI series; upper GI series) - The purpose of
the test is to detect abnormalities of the esophagus, stomach, and small
intestines. This test may be done in an office or a hospital radiology
department.
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Barrett's Esophagus - Barrett's esophagus is a condition where the
cells that line the lower esophagus have changed tissue type. Normally from
squamous type cells to columnar type cells.
Bone Scan - Detecting areas of abnormal bone metabolism is valuable in
determining whether there are lesions, fractures, degenerative disorders, or
cancer. This test can also help detect infection. This test, when used in
conjunction with the patient's history, X-rays, and other laboratory tests is
very helpful in determining if the patient has bone lesions or other bone
disorders. It is about 50 to 80% accurate.
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Cecum - The blind pouch at the beginning of the large intestine into
which the ileum opens from one side and which is continuous with the colon.
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Cholangitis - An inflammation of the common bile duct. A bacterial
infection in the bile duct and its bile is the usual cause of cholangitis.
Bacterial infection is caused by obstruction of the duct by a gallstone; tumor;
or in some parts of the world, by a fluke or a worm. The infection may spread to
the liver. The risk factor is a previous history of cholelithiasis (gallstones).
Cholangitis occurs in approximately 1 out of 10,000 people.
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Cholelithiasis (also gallstones) - The presence of gallstones in the
gallbladder. Cholelithiasis is frequently without symptoms and is discovered by
routine X-ray study, surgery, or autopsy. The stones are formed from bile salts,
lecithin, and cholesterol.
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Colon - The part of the large intestine that extends from the cecum
to the rectum.
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Colonoscopy - A colonoscopy is a procedure performed by a
gastroenterologist.
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Cirrhosis of the liver - When chronic diseases cause the liver to become
permanently injured and scarred. The scar tissue harms the structure of the
liver, blocking the flow of blood through the liver.
Crohn's Disease - Crohn's disease is a serious inflammatory disease of
the gastrointestinal tract. It predominates in the lower part of the small
intestine and the large intestine, but may occur in any section of the GI tract.
Crohn's disease usually caused diarrhea, crampy abdominal pain, often fever and
at times rectal bleeding.
CT Scan (also CAT scan; computerized tomography ) - In this procedure, a
thin X-ray beam is rotated aound the area of the body to be visualized. Using
very complicated mathematical processes called alogorithms, the computer is able
to generate a 3-D image of a section through the body.
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Diarrhea - The frequent passage of unformed watery stools.
Diverticulitis - Inflammation of an abnormal pouch (diverticulum) in the
intestinal wall, usually found in the large intestine (colon).
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Diverticulosis - The abnormal presence of small protruding sacs of
the inner lining of the intestine. These may (occur in any part of the
intestine but are most common in the colon.
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Duodenitis - Inflammation of the duodenum.
D-xylose Absorption (also xylose tolerance test) - This test may be
performed to help evaluate cases of: persistent diarrhea, unexplained weight
loss, suspected malnutrition, general weakness. Blood and urine samples are
taken.
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Dysphagia (also aphagia; esophagus, corkscrew) - Difficulty when
swallowing.
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Echocardiogram (also Doppler/ultrasound of the heart; echocardiogram
- transesophageal; transesophageal echocardiogram) - a visual record made by
echocardiography, performed to evaluate the valves and chambers of the heart in
a noninvasive manner.
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EKG (also ECG; electrocardiogram) - An ECG is very useful in determining
whether a person has heart disease. If a person has chest pain or palpitations,
an ECG is helpful in determining if the heart is beating normally.
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ERCP (also endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) - The
procedure identifies any abnormality of the pancreas or bile ducts that can
cause abdominal pain, jaundice, fever, or malabsorption.
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Esophageal Dilation - Dilating the esophagogastric ring by passing an
endoscope or dilator through the ring. The esophagogastric ring (also known as
Schatzki's ring) is a ring of tissue located at the junction of the esophagus
and the stomach.
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Esophageal Reflux - When the contents of the stomach can back up, or
reflux, into the esophagus. The esophagus can become irritated, or even
ulcerated.
Esophageal Manometry (also esophageal function studies; esophageal
motility studies) - To measure LES pressure and evaluate esophageal
contractions. This is important in the evaluation of swallowing disorders.
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Esophageal Spasm (also diffuse esophageal spasm; spasm of the esophagus)
- Irregular contractions of the muscles in the esophagus; the spasms do not
propel food effectively to the stomach.
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Esophageal Stricture-Benign (also benign stricture of the esophagus) - A
narrowing of the esophagus, causing swallowing difficulties.
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Esophagitis (also inflammation of the esophagus) - Inflammation of the
swallowing tube (esophagus) that leads from the back of the mouth to the
stomach.
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Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (also EGD) - This test is helpful in
determining: the cause of upper GI (gastrointestinal) bleeding; the presence of
ulcerations or inflammation; the cause of abdominal pain; the condition of the
stomach and duodenum after an operation; the presence of tumors or other
abnormalities of the upper GI tract; or inflammation, narrowing, or tumors of
the esophagus. This test is done with an endoscope.
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Gastritis - An inflammation of the lining of the stomach.
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Gastroenteritis - An inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It can be
viral (Norwalk virus; Rotavirus infection) or bacterial (acute gastroenteritis;
gastrointestinal infection; infectious diarrhea).
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Heartburn - Heartburn is usually experienced as a burning pain that
starts behind the breastbone and radiates upward to the neck. Sometimes called
acid indigestion and usually occurs after meals.
Helicobacter pylori - Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium
which lives only in the lining of the stomach and is one of the most common
chronic infections in humans. Doctors feel that H. pylori is associated with
most stomach ulcers and almost all duodenal ulcers.
Hematemesis - The regurgitation of blood from the stomach.
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Hemorrhoids - Hemorrhoids are swollen veins around the anus.
Hepatitis - Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis A,
sometimes called "Infectious Hepatitis", is spread by eating food or drinking
water contaminated with human feces. Hepatitis B, sometimes called Serum
Hepatitis", is spread from mother to child at birth or soon after, though sexual
contact, contaminated blood transfusions and needles. Hepatitis C was formerly
known as "non-A, non-B Hepatitis." This form of hepatitis is most common . It
can be spread through blood transfusions and contaminated needles. However, for
a substantial number of patients, the cause is unknown. Hepatitis D is the form
of hepatitis is found most often in IV drug users who are carriers of the
hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis E is a form of viral hepatitis is similar to viral
hepatitis A. It is found most often in people who live in countries with poor
sanitation.
Hida Scan - One of the common emergency procedures performed in nuclear
medicine is the evaluation of biliary function of the liver using radionuclide
techniques. The procedure might be called a "HIDA" scan or a "DISIDA" scan, but
the appropriate name for it is hepatobiliary imaging or hepatobiliary
scintigraphy.
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biliary scan; cholescintigraphy; gallbladder scan; radionuclide -
gallbladder. This test is very good for detecting acute infection
(cholecystitis) or blockage of a bile duct. It is also helpful in determining
whether there is rejection of a transplanted liver.
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Infrared Coagulation (IRC) - An office treatment for hemorrhoids. A small
probe contacts the area above the hemorrhoid, exposing the tissue to a burst of
infrared light for about one second. This coagulates the veins above the
hemorrhoid causing it to shrink and recede.
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome - A common disorder that leads to crampy pain,
gassiness, bloating and change in bowel habits. Alternating
constipation/diarrhea.
Jaundice (also eyes, yellow; icterus; yellow skin, jaundice; skin,
yellow; yellow eyes) - A yellow discoloring of the skin, mucous membranes, and
eyes, caused by too much bilirubin in the blood.
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Lactose Intolerance - Lactose Intolerance Lactose intolerance is the
inability to digest significant amounts of lactose, which is the predominant
sugar of milk.
Liver - a large very vascular glandular organ of vertebrates that
secretes bile and causes important changes in many of the substances contained
in the blood which passes through it (as by converting sugars into glycogen
which it stores up until required and by forming urea), that in humans is the
largest gland in the body.
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Malabsorption - Difficulty in the digestion or absorption of
nutrients from food substances.
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Meckel's Scanning -
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Oral Cholecystogram (also gallbladder series; gallbladder X-ray; OCG;
X-ray of the gallbladder) - The test is used to help in diagnosing disorders of
the liver and gallbladder, including gallstones and tumors.
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Pancreas - large lobulated gland that in humans lies in front of the
upper lumbar vertebrae and behind the stomach and is firmly attached anteriorly
to the curve of the duodenum with which it communicates through one or more
pancreatic ducts.
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Pancreatitis - Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas.
Paracentesis - (also abdominal paracentisis , abdominal tap). This
laboratory analysis will help determine why fluid is present in the abdomen. The
test is frequently performed to check for internal bleeding.
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PEG Placement (also percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement) -
Gastrostomy tubes placed under endoscopic guidance, using a much smaller
incision and performed under local anesthesia . An endoscope is passed into the
mouth, down the esophagus, and into the stomach. The surgeon can then see the
stomach wall through which the PEG tube will pass. Under direct visualization
with the endoscope, a PEG tube passes through the skin of the abdomen, through a
very small incision, and into the stomach. A ballon is then blown up on the end
of the tube, holding in place.
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Phlebitis - Inflammation of a vein.
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Ph Monitor (also esophageal acidity test; pH monitoring - esophageal) -
Esophageal pH monitoring is used to assess how much stomach acid is entering the
esophagus and how well it is cleared. In infants, this test is usually used to
evaluate the absence or presence of GERD and associated excessive crying or
other problems.
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Polyp - a projecting mass of swollen and hypertrophied or tumorous
membrane (as in the nasal cavity or the intestine).
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Proctitis - Inflammation of the anus and rectum
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Sigmoidoscopy (also proctoscopy; proctosigmoidoscopy) - The use of a
sigmoidoscope by a gastroenterologist to examine the colon.
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Sprue (also celiac disease, celiac sprue; gluten enteropathy; nontropical
sprue) - A disease in which the lining of the small intestine is damaged in
response to ingestion of gluten and similar proteins, which are found in wheat,
rye, oats, barley, and other grains including hybrid grains such as triticale.
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Thrombosed Hemorrhoid - A painful hemorrhoidal condition that arises
suddenly when a clot forms inside one of the hemorrhoid areas. There is a
painful, grapelike protrusion.
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Ulcerative Colitis/Ulcerative Proctitis - These are diseases that affect
the colon.
Ulcers - Peptic Ulcer Peptic ulcers are open sores in the lining of the
upper digestive tract. They occur in areas that are bathed by stomach acid and
are generally named for their location: Gastric Ulcers are located in the
stomach and are often due to irritating substances. Pyloric Channel Ulcers are
located at the junction of the stomach and small intestine. Duodenal Ulcers are
located in the first portion of the small intestine just past the stomach.
Upper GI (also Barium swallow; GI series; upper GI series) - The purpose
of the test is to detect abnormalities of the esophagus, stomach, and small
intestines. This test may be done in an office or a hospital radiology
department.
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Video Esophagram - This test is to detect abnormalities in the
esophagus that may be causing difficulty swallowing.
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