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Globetrotter's Pocket Doc - the only English international medical communication book for travelers to foreign countries
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- Saliva:
- A mixture of water and proteins produced by the salivary glands of the mouth. Saliva assists in the neutralization of some of the acid which refluxes into the esophagus as well as lubrication of food which is passing through the esophagus.
- Salmonella:
- A bacterial infection of the colon which causes diarrhea.
- Sarcoidosis:
- A condition in which small accumulations of proteins are deposited throughout the body. Swelling of the liver, lungs and spleen can cause disruption of those organ's functions. The etiology is unclear.
- Schatzki's Ring:
- An esophageal ring located in the lower portion of the esophagus which is benign. It may or may not cause difficulty with swallowing. An endoscopy can allow for this to be dilated if a patient has difficulty swallowing food.
- Sclerotherapy:
- A method to stop bleeding from the esophagus (esophageal varices) or the stomach. Different types of medications are used in different situations. Sclerotherapy is most commonly associated with treating or obliterating esophageal varices.
- Shigellosis:
- An infection of the intestine with the bacteria Shigella. Shigella may cause high fever, diarrhea and dehydration.
- Short Bowel Syndrome:
- A condition arising from surgical resection of large sections of the small intestine. Essentially, the absorptive surfaces been diminished to such a degree that patients can not maintain adequate absorption. Diarrhea, weakness and weight loss all result from this problem.
- Sigmoid Colon:
- The next last portion of the colon. This part of the colon empties into the rectum.
- Sigmoidoscopy:
- A direct visualization of the sigmoid colon and rectum with a flexible tube called sigmoidoscope. A short name for Flexible Sigmoidoscopy.
- Sitz baths:
- A technique for bathing the perianal tissues in warm water in order to relieve discomfort of hemorrhoids and anal fissures.
- Small Bowel Follow-through:
- A radiographic exam involving ingestion of barium. Serial x-rays are obtained by the radiologist which involve close inspection of the small bowel. Another name for a small bowel series or dedicated small bowel study.
- Small intestine:
- The section of the intestines between the stomach and colon consisting of approximately 20 feet. It is divided into three major sections the duodenum, the jejunum and ileum. Digestion and absorption occurs primarily in these areas.
- Solitary Rectal Ulcer:
- A rare type of ulcer involving the rectum. It may develop because straining or constipation.
- Somatostatin:
- A hormone secreted from the pancreas. Somatostatin tells the body when to make hormone such as insulin, glucagon, and secretin. Also provides important "breaking" of the chyme (partially digested food) as it passes through the ileum. This is the so-called ileal break.
- Sphincter of Oddi:
- The muscle between the common bile duct in the pancreatic duct.
- Spleen:
- An organ which assists in clearing the body of old red blood cells. It also has immunologic functions.
- Splenic Flexure Syndrome:
- An uncommon condition in which gas collects in the upper part of colon. This causes pain in the upper left abdominal area. The pain may radiate to the left side of the chest. This may result in chest pain.
- Steatorrhea:
- A condition which too much fat is present within the feces. It is usually a reflection of malabsorption. Diarrhea is the primary complain in patients with steatorrhea. It is characterized by fatty droplets within the stool.
- Stool:
- The solid wastes which pass from the rectum. Also called feces.
- Stricture:
- An abnormal narrowing of a body opening. It is also called a stenosis. Most commonly these are seen in the esophagus, the pyloric channel and anal canal.
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