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Amylase—Enzyme produced in the pancreas and salivary glands that helps
in the digestion of starches from the diet. Blood amylase levels may be
increased in patients who have pancreatitis.
Amyloidosis—A group of diseases that that result from the abnormal
deposition of a protein called amyloid in tissues and organs
Bezoar—A clump of food or hair in the digestive tract.. Bezoars can
cause obstructions in the stomach that keep food from passing into the small
intestine.
Celiac disease—A disease resulting from the abnormal reaction by the
body’s immune system to gluten, a protein found in many grains, such as wheat,
rye, and barley and other foods. In people who have celiac disease, the immune
system causes damage to the small intestine and prevents the proper absorption
of nutrients from food. Symptoms include diarrhea and weight loss.
Duodenum—The first part of small intestine.
Elastase—An enzyme found in fluids produced by the pancreas. It aids in
the digestion of several proteins, including elastin, an elastic substance in
the lungs and other organs that is part of their structural framework. Normally,
elastase is inhibited by a substance called alpha-1 antitrypsin.
Electrogastrography (EGG)—A diagnostic test that measures electrical
activity in the stomach using electrodes placed on the skin.
Endoscopy—A procedure that uses a flexible, lighted tube to look inside
the body. The instrument is introduced into the body through a natural opening
like the mouth or anus.
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)—A procedure that combines endoscopy and
ultrasound and allows a physician to obtain images and information about the
digestive tract and the surrounding tissue and organs. This test is used to look
deeper into the tissue of the bowel for any abnormalities.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)—Procedure in
which a tube is placed down the patient’s throat, into the stomach, then into
the small intestine. Dye is injected and the ducts of the gallbladder, liver and
pancreas can be seen on x-ray. The procedure may be performed to diagnose and
treat problems in the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas, including
gallstones, inflammatory strictures (scars), leaks (from trauma and surgery),
and cancer.
Gastrin—A hormone that causes the stomach to produce too much acid,
which causes stomach and duodenal ulcers
Gastrinoma—Tumor that develops in the pancreas of patients with
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Gastrinomas secrete the hormone gastrin.
Gastroesophageal reflux— A condition in which the liquid stomach
contents back up into the esophagus. This then produces symptoms of heartburn or
regurgitation.
Gastroparesis — Paralysis of the stomach. A disease in which the
stomach cannot empty itself of food in a normal fashion
H2 blockers — A group of digestive disease drugs that relieve acid
reflux and pain by suppressing the production of stomach acid.
Hemorrhoid — Clumps of tissue within the anus that contain blood
vessels and their supporting tissue..
Hemorrhoidectomy — Surgery to remove hemorrhoids.
HIDA scan — Or cholescintigraphy. A test in which a radioactive
material called hydroxy iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) is injected into the
patient. The test is used to diagnose obstruction of the bile ducts by a
gallstone or tumor and leaks of bile from the bile ducts.
Jaundice — A yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes that occurs
when levels of the pigment bilirubin are abnormally high. This may occur when
the liver is not working properly or when a bile duct is blocked.
Jejunostomy tube—A feeding tube that is inserted in a surgical
procedure through the abdomen into the part of the small intestine called the
jejunum. Nutrients are put into the tube to feed the patient who is unable to
swallow.
Laparoscopic surgery—"Minimally invasive" surgery in which
small (usually 5- to 10-millimeter) incisions are made. The laparoscope and
surgical instruments are inserted through these incisions. The surgeon is guided
by the laparoscope, which transmits a picture of the internal organs on a
monitor.
Lipase—Enzyme produced in the pancreas and secreted into the small
intestine that aids in the digestion of certain fats from food.
Liver function tests (LFTs)— also known as liver blood tests. Blood
tests that can show evidence of conditions affecting the normal functioning of
the liver, gallbladder or bile ducts.
Pancreatitis—Inflammation of the pancreas
Parenteral nutrition —A feeding method in which nutrients go directly
into the bloodstream through a catheter placed into a vein.
Proton pump inhibitors—Drugs that suppress acid production in the
stomach by blocking the enzyme in the stomach that produces acid.
Sclerotherapy —A procedure in which a chemical irritant solution is
injected into a vein to sclerose or harden it by causing scar formation. This
forces the blood flow to nearby healthy blood vessels. Sclerotherapy may be done
to treat hemorrhoids, esophageal varices, varicose and spider veins.
Secretin—A hormone made in the small intestines that aids in digestion.
Secretin stimulation test—Test that measures the ability of the
pancreas to respond to the hormone secretin
Ultrasound—The use of high-frequency sound waves to produce images of
the organs and structures inside the body
Vagus nerve—Also called cranial nerve X, the vagus nerve regulates the
function of numerous organs of the body from the throat and voice box to the
trachea (windpipe), lungs, heart, and most of the intestinal tract. It also
brings sensory information to the brain from the ears, tongue, and throat.
Villi—Hair-like structures that line the small intestine and absorb
nutrients from food
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome—A rare disorder of the gastrointestinal
system caused by a tumor called a gastrinoma. Gastrinomas most often occur in
the pancreas. The tumor secretes the hormone gastrin, which increases acid
levels in the stomach, leading to severe, recurrent ulcers of the esophagus,
stomach, and intestines.
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