Globetrotter's Pocket Doc - the only English international medical communication book for travelers to foreign countries

Candidiasis:

An infection of a body part with a fungus from the genus Candida. Candida may live in individuals gastrointestinal tract because no problems. Overgrowth has been associated with other diseases and symptoms. The exact role of candidiasis in immunocompetent (those without evidence of immune disease) patients is unclear.

Carbohydrate:

A group of compounds consisting of sugars and starch founded breads fruit vegetable cereals etc. Carbohydrates are broken down into smaller components such as lactose and glucose. These are the stored by the liver in used as fuel.

Caroli's disease:

A rare genetic disorder in which the bile ducts within the liver become very large.

Cathartics:

Another term for laxatives.

Catheter:

A general term describing a (usually flexible) tube which is used to either introduce (or remove) fluid. A urinary catheter is one that is placed into the urinary bladder to assist in removing urine from the body. An intravenous line is also a catheter.

Cecum:

The very first part of the colon. The small intestine inserts into the cecum via the ileocecal valve.

Cecostomy:

A tube (or catheter) usually placed by radiologists into the cecum in order to decompress this area.

Celiac Disease:

A disease characterized by an allergic reaction to proteins found within wheat. Gluten induces the allergy that results in diarrhea malnutrition in malabsorption of nutrients. Also called gluten enteropathy or non-tropical sprue.

Celiac sprue:

See celiac disease.

Cholangiography:

A study that examines the bile ducts with the aid of x-rays. These studies may be performed by multiple different techniques including ERCP, CT scan, ultrasound and MRI.

Cholangitis:

An infection of bile ducts. Usually bacterial nature, this disease is usually treated with antibiotics. On occasion, an ERCP will be required in order to relieve any obstruction which may have predisposed a patient to this type of infection.

Cholecystectomy:

The surgical removal of the gallbladder.

Cholecystitis:

An infection or inflammation of the gallbladder.

Cholecystogram, Oral:

An x-ray study of the bile duct performed by ingestion of pills which then are absorbed by the GI tract, and subsequently concentrated in the gallbladder.

Cholecystokinin:

A hormone release by the small intestine that causes contraction of the gallbladder.

Choledocholithiasis:

A disease in which gallstones are present in the bile ducts.

Cholelithiasis:

A condition in which gallstones are present in the gallbladder. This term does not imply that the stones are causing pain. In fact, many patients have gallstones but do not experience pain. This term only indicates that stones are present in the gallbladder.

Cholestasis:

An abnormality of the bile ducts in which inflammation is present. The bile ducts are blocked commonly by gallstones. However, inflammation of the microscopic bile ducts within the liver itself can also cause cholestasis. The primary test for this condition is a liver panel. This is a simple blood test that shows the alkaline phosphatase to be elevated.

Cholesterol:

A fat like substance made by the body to construct cell membranes. Although the body makes cholesterol, ingestion of cholesterol from foodstuffs may cause gallstones as well as coronary artery disease.

Chyme:

The term used to refer to partially digested food as it moves through the digestive tract.

Cirrhosis:

A condition in which permanent scarring of the liver is present. At this point, permanent damage has occurred which limits the overall function of the liver. The best therapy is identification of the cause of the inflammation and scarring and its correction. As cirrhosis progresses to end-stage liver disease, a liver transplant may be required.

C. difficile:

An infection of the colon associated with taking antibiotics. This is sometimes called pseudomembranous colitis or antibiotic associated colitis.

Colectomy:

The surgical removal of all or part of the colon.

Colic:

A term describing abdominal pain usually associated with muscle spasm.

Colitis:

A nonspecific terms referring to any cause of irritation of the colon.

Collagenous colitis:

The abnormal deposition of collagen within the walls of the colon leading to diarrhea and subsequent inflammation of the colon.

Colon:

Another term for the large intestine.

Colonic inertia:

The term used to refer to poor contractions of the colon characterized by constipation.

Colonoscopy:

A study that directly visualizes the inside of the rectum and colon. The study is usually performed at the hospital.

Colonoscopic polypectomy:

The removal of polyps during colonoscopy.

Colon polyps:

A condition in which cells lining the colon wall project into the lumen of the colon. These may be of two general type hyperplastic or adenomatous polyps. Removal is indicated in order to decrease the possibility of developing colon cancer. Removal is also necessary in order to identify which type of polyp is present (adenomatous or hyperplastic polyps).

Colorectal cancer:

A cancer occurring in the large colon or in the rectum. A cancer which is preventable through standard screening programs currently available at your physicians office.

Colorectal transit study:

A study that measures to movement of feces through the colon. During this study, a patient ingests several radiopaque markers on day 1. Serial x-rays of the abdomen are then obtained to track the movement of these markers through the colon.

Colostomy:

A surgical operation resulting in the diversion of feces through a new orifice. Usually an appliance (bag) for collecting feces covers this area.

Common bile duct:

The largest of the extrahepatic bile ducts. It leads from the liver into the small intestine.

Common bile duct obstruction:

Any form of obstruction of the common bile duct. Usually this is secondary to gallstones.

Computed tomography scan:

Full name for the commonly used term "CT scan". CT scans use x-rays to produce images of the internal structures of the body. An excellent method for assessing the internal structures of the body. The CT scan is not a good study for assessing diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. These are tubular structures that are best evaluated by other x-ray techniques or endoscopy.

Constipation:

The inability to evacuate stool regularly.

Continence:

The ability to retain feces or urine.

Continent ileostomy:

A small pouch that is created by a surgeon from a portion of the small intestine. Stools that have collected in this pouch are removed by inserting a small tube into the pouch regular basis.

Corticosteroids:

A group of medicines from the steroid class which decrease inflammation within the colon and other areas. Prednisone and hydrocortisone are examples of corticosteroids.

Crohn's disease:

A chronic inflammation of the bowel leading to aphthous ulcers. It may affect any portion of the GI tract. One member of a group of gastrointestinal disease called Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Cryptosporidia:

A parasite affecting the GI tract resulting in diarrhea.

Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome:

A disease characterized by sudden repeated attacks of severe vomiting, especially in children, associated with nausea and physical exhaustion. There is no apparent cause. These may last for up to 10 days but typically associated with hours.

Cystic duct:

The tube leaving the gallbladder joining with the common bile duct.

Cystic duct obstruction:

A blockage of the cystic duct, usually by gallstones.

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