Medical Terms - Chapter 3 - Diseases

Gastroenteritis

Acute inflammation or infection of the stomach and intestines due to a virus (flu) or bacterium (contaminated food). There is abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Pancreatic Cancer

Cancerous tumor (adenocarcinoma) of the pancreas. Most patients are in the advanced stage when they are diagnosed and so survival is usually less than one year.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Chronic inflammation and irritation due to reflux of stomach acid back into the esophagus because the lower esophagus sphincter does not close tightly. There is a sore throat, belching, and esophagitis with chronic inflammation. This can lead to esophageal ulcers or cancer of the esophagus.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Chronic inflammation of various parts of the small and large intestines. There is diarrhea, bloody feces, abdominal cramps, and fever. There are 2 types: Crohn's disease & Ulcerative Colitis

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)

Chronic irritation, burning pain, and erosion of the mucosa to form an ulcer.

Cirrhosis

Chronic, progressive inflammation and finally irreversible degeneration of the liver, with nodules and scarring. It is typically caused by alcoholism, viral hepatitis, or chronic obstruction of the bile ducts.

Proctitis

Inflammation of the rectum due to radiation therapy for cancer or from ulcers or infections.

Cholelithiasis

One or more gallstones in the gallbladder. When the bile is too concentrated, it forms a thick sediment (sludge) that gradually becomes small gallstones (gravel) and then larger gallstones. Causes mild symptoms or can cause severe biliary colic when the gallbladder contracts or when a gallstone becomes lodged in a bile duct.

Flatulence

Presence of excessive amounts of flatus (gas) in the stomach or intestines. It can be caused by milk (lactose intolerance), indigestion, or incomplete digestion of carbohydrates such as beans.

Rectocele

Protruding wall of the rectum pushes on the adjacent vaginal wall, causing it to collapse inward and block the vaginal canal or even to protrude to the outside of the body.

Polyp

Small, fleshy, benign or precancerous growth in the mucosa of the colon. Although they are benign, they can become cancerous.

Esophageal Varices

Swollen, protruding veins in the mucosa of the lower esophagus or stomach. When liver disease causes blood to back up in the large vein from the intestines to the liver, the blood is forced to take an alternate route through the gastroesophageal veins, but eventually these veins become engorged.

Intussusception

Telescoping of one segment of intestine inside the lumen of the next segment. There is vomiting and abdominal pain.

Volvulus

Twisting or rotating of the intestine around itself because of a structural abnormality of the mesentery. There is vomiting and abdominal pain. It is also known as malrotation of the intestines. It is caused by poor support of the intestine by the mesentery or by adhesions in the abdominal cavity.

Hematemesis

Vomiting (emesis) of blood because of bleeding in the stomach or esophagus. This can be due to an esophageal or gastric ulcer or esophageal varices.

Sialollithiasis

A stone (sialolith) that forms in the salivary gland and becomes lodged in the duct, blocking the flow of saliva. The salivary gland, mouth, and face become swollen. When the salivary gland contracts, the duct spasms, causing pain.

Ileus

Abnormal absense of peristalsis in the small and large intestines. Obstipation, a tumor, adhesions, or a hernia can cause a mechnical obstruction. A severe infection in the intestine or abdominopelvic cavity, trauma, shock, or drugs can stop peristalsis and cause a paralytic ________.

Diarrhea

Abnormally frequent, loose, and sometimes watery feces. It is caused by an infection (bacteria, viruses), irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, lactose intolerance, or the side effect of a drug. There is increased peristalsis, and the feces move through the large intestine before the water can be absorbed.

Ascites

Accumulation of ascitic fluid in the abdominopelvic cavity. Liver disease and congestive heart failure cause a backup of blood. This increases the blood pressure in the veins of the abdomen. This pressure pushes fluid out of the blood into the abdominopelvic cavity and grossly destends the abdomen.

Cholangitis

Acute or chronic inflammation of the bile ducts because of cirrhosis or gallstones

Cholecystitis

Acute or chronic inflammation of the gallbladder. Acute __________ occurs when a gallstone blocks the cystic duct of the gallbladder. When the gallbladder contracts, the duct spasms, causing severe pain.

Gastritis

Acute or chronic inflammation of the stomach due to spicy foods, excess acid production, or a bacterial infection.

Gluten Sensitivity Enteropathy

An autoimmune disorder and toxic reaction to the gluten found in certain grains (wheat, barley, rye, oats). The small intestine is damaged by the inflammatory response. It is also known as celiac disease.

Dysentery

Bacterial infection caused by an unusual strain of E. coli, a common bacterium normally found in the large intestine. There is a watery diarrhea mixed with blood and mucus.

Hematochezia

Blood in the feces. The source of bleeding can be an ulcer, cancer, Crohn's disease, polyp, diverticulum, or hemmrhoid. Bright red blood indicates active bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal system.

Colon Cancer

Cancerous tumor of the colon. It occurs when colonic polyps or ulcerative colitis become cancerous. It is also linked to a high-fat diet. There can be blood in the feces.

Liver Cancer

Cancerous tumor of the liver. This is usually a secondary cancer that began in another place and spread (metastasized) to the liver.

Stomach Cancer

Cancerous tumor of the stomach that begins in glands in the gastric mucosa.

Colic

Common disorder in babies. There is crampy abdominal pain soon after eating. It can be caused by overfeeding, feeding too quickly, inadequate burping, or a food allergy to milk.

Anorexia

Decreased appetite because of disease or the gastrointestinal side effects of a drug.

Dysphagia

Difficult or painful eating or swallowing. A stroke can make it difficult to coordinate the muscles for eating and swallowing. An oral infection, poorly fitted dentures, or radiation therapy to the mouth for cancer can cause painful eating.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Disorder of the function of the colon, although the mucosa of the colon never shows any visible signs of inflammation. There is cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea alternating with constipation, and excessive mucous. The cause is not known but may be related to lactose intolerance and emotional stress. It is also known as spastic colon or mucous colitis.

Hepatomegaly

Enlargement of the liver due to cirrhosis, hepatitis, or cancer. The enlarged liver can be felt on palpation of the abdomen. The degree of enlargement is measured as the number of fingerbreadths from the edge of the right rib cage to the inferior edge of the liver.

Polyphagia

Excessive overeating due to an overactive thyroid gland, diabetes mellitus, or a psychiatric illness.

Constipation

Failure to have regular, soft bowel movements. This can be due to decreased peristalsis, lack of dietary fiber, inadequate water intake, lack of exercise, or the side effect of a drug.

Adhesions

Fibrous bands that form after surgery in the abdominal cavity. They bind the intestines to each other or to other organs. They can bind so tightly that peristalsis and intestinal function are affected.

Steatorrhea

Greasy, frothy, foul-smelling feces that contain undigested fats. There is not enough of the enzyme lipase because of pancreatic disease, cancer, or cystic fibrosis.

Incontinence

Inability to voluntarily control bowel movements. A patient with paralysis of the lower extremities lacks sensation and motor control of the external anal sphincter.

Dyspepsia

Indigestion with mild, temporary epigastric pain, sometimes with gas or nausea. It can be caused by excess stomach acid into the esophagus, overeating, spicy foods, or stress.

Cheilitis

Inflammation and cracking of the lips and corners of the mouth due to infection, allergies, or a nutritional deficiency.

Appendicitis

Inflammation and infection of the appendix. Undigested material becomes trapped in the lumen of the appendix. There is steadily increasing abdominal pain that finally localizes to the right lower quadrant. If the physician presses on that area and then quickly removes the hand and releases the pressure, the patient complains of severe rebound pain.

Hepatitis

Inflammation and infection of the liver from the hepatitis virus. There is weakness, anorexia, nausea, fever, dark urine, and jaundice.

Peritonitis

Inflammation and infection of the peritoneum. It occurs when an ulcer, diverticulum, or cancerous tumor breaks through the wall of the stomach or intestines or when an inflamed appendix ruptures. Drainage and bacteria spill into the abdominopelvic cavity.

Stomatitis

Inflammation of the oral mucosa. Can be caused by poorly fitted dentures or infection.

Pancreatitis

Inflammation or infection of the pancreas. There is abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Inflammation occurs when a gallstone blocks the lower common bile duct and the connecting pancreatic duct and pancreatic enzymes back up into the pancreas.

Hemorrhoids

Swollen, protruding veins in the rectum (internal) or on the skin around the anus (external). They are caused by increased intra-abdominal pressure from straining during a bowel movement. This dilates the veins with blood until they constantly protrude. It is irritated by passing feces, and its surface bleeds easily.

Heartburn

Temporary inflammation of the esophagus due to reflex of stomach acid. It is also known as pyrosis.

Hernia

Weakness in the muscle of the diaphragm or the abdominal wall. The intestine bulges through that defect. There is swelling and pain. There is an inherited tendency them, but they can also be caused by pregnancy, obesity, or heavy lifting.

Diverticulum

Weakness in the wall of the colon where the mucosa forms a pouch or tube. Diverticula can be caused by eating a low-fiber diet that forms small, compact feces. Then, increased intra-abdominal pressure and straining to pass those feces eventually creates diverticula.

Jaundice

Yellowish discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes (the sclerae). There is an increased level of unconjugated bilirubin in the blood. The bilirubin enters the tissues, giving them a yellow color.