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

Pancreas:

The gland which secretes enzymes for digestion. It also secretes the hormone insulin used for control of glucose.

Pancreatitis:

An inflammation of the pancreas. It may be caused by alcohol or gallstones. Medications such as hydrochlorothiazide (a diuretic) may also cause this problem.

Papillary stenosis:

A narrowing of the papilla of father. This papilla is located at the junction of the bile duct and pancreatic duct. It may cause obstruction of one or both of these ducts.

Parietal cells:

The cells in the stomach which make HCl in response to stimulation by gastrin and the nervous system.

Pepsin:

An enzyme in the stomach which breaks down proteins. In some patients it may cause severe inflammation of the esophagus.

Peptic:

A term indicting a relationship to the stomach.

Peptic ulcer:

An ulcer of the esophagus, stomach or duodenum. When referring to a gastric or duodenal ulcer, this is commonly associated with H. Pylori.

Percutaneous:

A term referring to something passing through the skin.

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography:

A study with x-rays of the bile ducts and gallbladder performed by placing a needle into the bile ducts. The needles originally inserted through the rib cage on the right side of the body. This is usually done by a radiologist.

Perianal:

A term referring to the colon and the surrounding tissues near the anus.

Perineal:

This is the area between the anus and the genitalia.

Peristalsis:

Contraction of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine and colon. Peristalsis boost food or liquid through the GI tract in a coordinated fashion.

Peritoneum:

The lining of the abdominal cavity.

Peritonitis:

Infection or inflammation of the peritoneal cavity.

Pernicious anemia:

An anemia (low blood counts) caused by lack of vitamin B12.

Putz Jaeger Syndrome:

An inherited condition which many polyps growth in the intestine. In this condition, unlike others, there's little risk of cancer.

Pharynx:

The space behind the mouth.

Polyp:

A growth of tissue bulging from the surface of organ. These large abnormalities may or may not be normal. They may be precancerous especially when found within the colon.

Polyposis:

The presence of many polyps.

Porphyria:

A group of a rare inherited blood disorders. Porphyria is associated with a cell's failure to transform biochemicals into other biochemicals which can then be further metabolized and excreted through the feces or urine. Porphyrins can then build up within the body. In fact, urine may be colored blue because of this. Metal disorders are associated with this.

Portal hypertension:

A condition in which there is high-pressure within the portal vein. This condition may be due to cirrhosis.

Portal vein:

A large vein that carries blood from the intestines and the spleen to the liver.

Portosystemic shunt:

An operation creating an artificial connection between the portal vein and other veins near the liver. This is commonly used in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

Postcholecystectomy Syndrome:

A condition in which patients experience pain after the gallbladder has been removed. This pain is usually similar to the pain which occurred with the gallbladder. This is also sometimes called biliary dyskinesia.

Postgastrectomy Syndrome:

A condition which occurs after the stomach, or portion stomach has been removed. See Dumping Syndrome.

Post Vagotomy Stasis:

Delayed gastric emptying associated with cutting of the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve may be severed by a surgeon for patients who have refractory peptic ulcer disease. The severance of the vagus nerve reduces the stomach's ability to secrete acid. It also changes the way in which the stomach empties resulting in abnormal emptying.

Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC):

A condition of the liver in which the microscopic bile ducts are destroyed by the body's immune system. Eventually, patients will require liver transplantation.

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC):

An irritation or scarring of the bile ducts located outside of the liver (extrahepatic bile ducts) caused by the immune system. This disease usually does not affect the small bile ducts within the liver. In patients with ulcerative colitis, an increased incidence of this disease has been identified.

Proctagia Fugax:

An intense pain in the rectum usually occurring at night. It is caused by muscle spasms.

Proctitis:

An irritation of the rectum.

Proctocolectomy:

An operation which removes the colon and the rectum. It may be recommended in patients who have ulcerative colitis or colon cancer.

Proctocolitis:

An irritation limited to the rectum.

Procto-sigmoiditis:

An irritation of both the rectum and sigmoid colon.

Prokinetic drugs:

A group of medications which improve the contractions of the muscles in the GI tract. Propulsid (cisapride) is an example of the group of medications. Reglan (metoproclamide) is also a member of this group of medications.

Prolapse:

A general term which describes a condition in which a body part slips out of its normal position. Rectal prolapse refers to a slipping of a part of the rectum.

Protein:

One of the three main classes of food. Proteins are found in meats, beans and tofu. Proteins are broken down into to amino acids within the small intestine and absorbed through the cells which line the small intestine. There are then reassembled by the liver and made into proteins for use through the body.

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI):

A group of medications which inhibit the stomach acid secretion. These medications are used to heal ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Omeprazole and lansoprazole all included within this group of medications. These are very powerful group of acid suppression medications.

Pruritus Ani:

A condition characterized by itching around the anus. This may be associate with hemorrhage or fissures.

Pseudomembranous Colitis:

An infection of the colon also called Clostridium difficile (C. difficile). It is associated with antibiotic use within the previous 2-3 months. Patients may experience diarrhea, abdominal cramps, low grade fever and rectal bleeding.

Pyloric Sphincter:

The muscle located between stomach and small intestine. It regulates, in part, the emptying the cast of the stomach.

Pyloric Channel Stenosis:

An condition in which the pyloric channel becomes too small. As a result food does not empty from the stomach normally. This may exacerbate gastroesophageal reflux disease. Patients may experience nausea, vomiting (especially of food ingested hours earlier), abdominal pain, and worsening of heartburn symptoms.

Pyloroplasty:

An operation in which the pyloric channel is opened by a surgeon. It allows the stomach contents to pass more freely out of the stomach.

Pylorus:

The opening of stomach into the top of a small intestine. Another name for the pyloric channel.

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