Gastroenterology at GBMC

Achalasia - 
A combined defect of absent peristalsis and abnormal LES function (contractions of the GI tract that aid in moving food into the stomach) 

Achlorhydria - 
Absence of free hydrochloric acid in the stomach 

Ascites - 
The effusion and accumulation of serous fluid in the abdominal cavity 

Barretts esophagus - 
Replacement of the normal squamous epithelium of the esophagus by columnar epithelium as a result of reflux. This can be associated with increased risk of cancer. 

Biopsy - 
The removal of tissue during procedure for microscopic examination 

Celiac sprue - 
A malabsorption syndrome affecting both children and adults, precipitated by intolerance of gluten-containing foods 

Colitis - 
Inflammation of the colon 

Constipation - 
Infrequent or difficult evacuation of feces 

Crohn's Disease - 
A chronic inflammatory disease involving any part of the GI tract, with scarring and thickening of the bowel wall 

Diverticulitis - 
Inflammation of a diverticulum 

Diverticulosis - 
The presence of diverticula, small pockets on the wall of the colon, in the absence of inflammation. 

Diverticulum - 
An outpouching of one or more layers of the wall of the colon 

Dyspepsia - 
(Indigestion) Impairment of the function of digestion, usually applied to epigastric discomfort following meals but can vary in interpretation 

Dysphagia - 
A sensation of difficulty in swallowing 

Esophageal reflux - 
Reflux of the gastric or duodenal contents back into the esophagus 

Esophagitis - 
An inflammation of the esophageal lining 

Gastritis - 
Inflammation of the stomach lining 

Hiatus hernia - 
Occurs when a portion of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragmatic hiatus into the thoracic cavity 

Lower esophageal sphincter - 
Circular muscles at the distal end of the esophagus, which regulate the entry of food into the stomach 

Malabsorption - 
Impaired intestinal absorption of nutrients 

Pancreatitis - 
Acute or chronic inflammation of the pancreas 

Peptic ulcer - 
An ulceration of the mucosa membrane of the esophagus, stomach or duodenum, may be caused by the action of the acid gastric juice or certain bacteria 

Polyp - 
A protruding growth from any mucous membrane (colonic or gastric) 

Stricture - 
A narrowing of a canal, duct or other passage as a result of scarring or deposition of abnormal tissue 

Ulcerative colitis - 
Chronic, recurrent ulceration in the colon of unknown cause. Symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding and loose discharges of blood, pus and mucus with scanty fecal particles 

Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome - 
A disorder that includes atypical peptic ulcers, extreme gastric hyperacidity and gastrin-secreting, non beta islet cell tumors of the pancreas