|
|
The Language Of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
What are the meanings of the names Enteritis; Colitis;
Crohn's Disease; Ileitis; Crohn's Colitis; Ulcerative
Proctitis?
All of these terms refer to inflammatory bowel disease
(IBD). Inflammation of any part of the small intestine can
be called 'enteritis' (from the Greek word 'enteron' meaning
intestine). Inflammation of the colon is called 'colitis'.
Crohn's Disease (named after the doctor who, with Doctors
Ginsburg and Oppenheimer, first described the condition in
1932) is an ulcerating inflammation affecting the lining and
deeper layers of the wall of the bowel- it can be in the
ileum (small intestine) when it is sometimes called ileitis
and/or it can be in the colon when it is called Crohn's
Colitis. Ulcerative colitis is an ulcerating inflammation of
the inner lining of the colon. Ulcerative proctitis is the
name given to ulcerative colitis limited to the rectum.
- abscess
- a localised collection of pus which may form in the
abdominal cavity or in the rectal area of persons with
inflammatory bowel disease.
- acute (illness)
- short lived or sudden.
- aetiology
- cause.
- 5-aminosalicylic acid
- a substance which reduces inflammation in colitis and
may decrease the risk of relapse. The active ingredient
in drugs such as Asacol® and Pentasa®.
- anaemia
- a lowered concentration of haemoglobin in the blood.
Haemoglobin is the pigment which carries oxygen in the
red cells.
- anastomosis
- the surgical joining of two ends of healthy
bowel.
- ankylosing spondylitis
- a chronic inflammatory disease of the spine and
adjacent joints which causes pain and stiffness in the
spine, neck, hips, jaw and rib cage.
- antigen
- a substance, usually a protein, which is recognised
as 'foreign' by a patient's body, so that antibodies are
produced against it. Reaction between antigen and
antibody may cause inflammation.
- anus
- the opening at the lower end of the gastrointestinal
tract at the end of the rectum.
- appendix
- a thin blind-ending pouch of intestine attached to
the caecum; that part of the colon situated in the right
lower abdomen.
- appliance
- the combination of flange and bag worn over a stoma
to collect bodily waste.
- arthralgia
- pains in the joints frequently experienced by persons
with IBD.
- arthritis
- inflammation of a joint accompanied by pain, swelling
and stiffness.
- Asacol®
- preparation of the drug 5-aminosalicylic acid (see
also mesalazine).
- azathioprine
- (Imuran®)
- an immunosuppressant drug used to treat IBD.
- bacteria
- minute organisms, millions of which are normally
present in the large intestine, but some of which can
cause infection.
- barium enema
- a liquid suspension of barium sulphate which, when
introduced into the rectum and colon via the anus, fills
the bowel and adheres to the lining enabling X-ray
pictures of the bowel to be taken.
- barium meal
- a liquid suspension of barium sulphate which, when
drunk, enables X-ray pictures to be taken of the gullet
and stomach. It can be followed through into the small
intestine with further pictures.
- biopsy
- a small piece of tissue taken from the body for
examination under the microscope by a pathologist. It
helps in the diagnosis of IBD.
- borborygmi
- characteristic rumbling sounds in the bowel caused by
the movement of air through the intestine. Everybody has
them whether or not they have IBD.
- bowel
- another name for the intestines
- the small bowel (duodenum, jejunum and ileum), and
the large bowel (colon).
- breath tests
- simple painless tests which help detect lactose (milk
sugar) intolerance, and other abnormalities of intestinal
function.
- bypass
- a surgical re-routing of the intestine (see also
resection).
- caecum
- the first 10-15 cms of the colon, situated in the
right lower abdomen.
- cholestyramine
- (Questran®)
- a drug taken to absorb excessive amounts of bile acid
reaching the large intestine, and hence to treat certain
forms of diarrhoea.
- chronic (illness)
- long lasting or slow.
- clubbing
- an abnormal curved shaping of the finger nails seen
in some persons with IBD.
- colectomy
- surgical removal of the colon.
- colestipol
- (Colestid®)
- a drug which binds bile salts to prevent
diarrhoea.
- colon
- the large intestine; the function of the colon is to
absorb water; it is about 1.5 metres long.
- colonoscopy
- an examination of the rectum and colon performed by
passing a lighted flexible telescope (colonoscope) via
the anus.
- colostomy
- a surgical operation in which the cut end of the
colon is brought through an opening in the abdominal
wall. Waste is then collected in a bag attached to the
skin and fitted over the colon, which is fashioned into a
spout.
- constipation
- infrequent passage of hard stools.
- continent ileostomy
- (or Kock ileostomy) the surgical creation of an ileal
pouch inside the lower abdomen to collect waste after a
colectomy for ulcera-tive colitis. The pouch is emptied
regularly with a small tube inserted through an opening
in the abdomen- no external bag is required.
- corticosteroid
- a type of hormone produced by the adrenal glands
naturally. Prednisone and Prednisolone are synthetic
corticosteroids used to reduce inflammation.
- cyclosporin
- an immunosuppressant drug commonly used after kidney
and other transplant operations, and occasionally used in
IBD.
- diarrhoea
- excessive number of loose and watery stools.
- dietician
- a specially trained individual who is qualified to
asses nutritional status and work closely with the
patient and doctor to ensure that an appropriate diet is
being followed.
- dilated
- widened.
- Dipentum®
- see olsalazine.
- distension
- an uncomfortable swollen feeling in the abdomen often
caused by excessive amounts of gas and fluid in the
intestine.
- dysplasia
- alterations in the cells of the colon lining seen on
microscope examina-tion of a biopsy, suggesting a
possible increased risk of cancer developing
subsequently.
- elemental diet
- a specially prepared liquid meal without residue, but
containing all the necessary nutrients.
- endoscopy
- a general term for the examination of the inside of
the body using a lighted telescope inserted through a
natural body opening, eg. colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy
via the anus, and gastroscopy via the mouth. The
endoscopist is a specially trained physician or
surgeon.
- enema
- a liquid inserted into the bowel via the anus, for
diagnosis or treatment.
- erythema nodosum
- red, tender swellings occasionally seen on the shins
and lower legs during a flare-up of IBD. They usually
subside when the disease is in remission.
- exacerbation
- an aggravation of symptoms; an increase in the
activity of the disease; a relapse.
- faeces
- motions; stools; wastes.
- faecal fat test
- a three or five day measurement of the amount of fat
in the stools to determine if there is poor absorption of
fat by the small intestine. This test is now rarely
performed.
- familial
- a family characteristic.
- febrile
- running a fever, having a temperature.
- ferritin
- a blood test which measures the patient's iron
reserves, and hence the need for iron treatment.
- fissure
- a crack or split in the skin, usually in the area of
the anus.
- fistula
- an abnormal channel (false passage) between two loops
of intestine, or between the intestine and another organ,
or between the intestine and the skin.
- flatus
- an awareness of the passage of gas through the
rectum, not necessarily in excessive amounts.
- folic acid
- one of the vitamins responsible for the formation of
the red blood cells; folate deficiency may occur as a
result of poor diet, or due to poor absorption by the
small intestine. Folate deficiency due to sulphasalazine
treatment is fairly rare but it can easily be corrected
by taking oral supplements .
- gastroenterologist
- a physician specially trained in the diagnosis and
treatment of disorders of the intestine, including
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
- gut
- another word for bowel or intestine.
- haemorrhoids
- (piles) swollen veins in the area of the anus which
bleed easily. They may become painful.
- heartburn
- a burning pain usually felt in the chest and due to
reflux of stomach acid and bile into the gullet. Common
in the whole population.
- hydrocortisone
- a corticosteroid drug given intravenously or as a
foam enema.
- hyperalimentation
- extra nutrition given into a vein.
- I.B.D.
- abbreviation for 'Inflammatory Bowel Disease'.
- ileum
- the lower part of the small intestine, which joins
the colon at the ileo-caecal valve.
- ileoanal anastomosis
- a surgical operation for ulcerative colitis where,
after total colectomy, an internal pouch is made from the
ileum and attached to the anus, thus preserving
continence and allowing evacuation in the normal manner.
(This operation is also known as the 'pouch' or Parks
operation) .
- ileostomy
- a surgical operation in which the cut end of the
ileum is brought through an opening in the abdominal
wall. Waste is then collected in a bag attached to the
skin and fitted over the ileum, which is fashioned into a
spout.
- immunology
- the study of the body's immune system.
- Imuran®
- see azathioprine.
- incontinence
- inability to retain stools or urine.
- iritis
- painful inflammation of the eyes sometimes occurring
in IBD.
- irritable bowel syndrome
- irritable colon
- a common condition caused by altered motility of the
bowels. It produces diarrhoea or constipation and
abdominal discomfort. It is not a form of IBD.
- intravenous pyelogram
- (IVP) an X-ray examination of the kidneys, ureters
and bladder.
- -itis
- indicates inflammation eg. colitis is inflammation of
the colon; proctitis is inflammation of the rectum;
ileitis is inflammation of the ileum.
- lactase
- is the enzyme which enables the small intestine to
digest lactose.
- lactose
- milk sugar.
- lactose intolerance
- a common and harmless disorder producing abdominal
discomfort, diarrhoea and gas after the ingestion of milk
or milk pro-ducts. This may need treatment with a
milk-free diet.
- lesion
- a term used by doctors to describe any structural
abnormality.
- leucocytosis
- an increased number of white cells in the blood.
- leucopenia
- a decrease in the number of white cells in the
blood.
- loperamide
- (Imodium®, Dicap®)
- an anti-diarrhoeal drug which slows the contraction
of muscle in the gut.
- 6-mercaptopurine
- (6-MP)
- an immunosuppressant drug closely related to
azathioprine, used for reduc-ing flare-ups of IBD.
- mesalazine
- a coated formulation of the drug 5-aminosalicylic
acid to deliver the drug to the ileum and colon (eg.
Asacol®, Pentasa®).
- Methotrexate
- (Ledertrexate®, Methoblastin®)
- an immunosuppressant drug with some use in IBD which
is not responding to other drugs.
- metronidazole
- (Flagyl®)
- an antibiotic which may be helpful in treating anal
inflammation in IBD.
- mucus
- a white slimy lubricant produced by the intestines.
It is found in excess in the stools of patients with
colitis.
- nasogastric tube
- a thin flexible plastic tube passed through the nose
into the stomach.
- obstruction
- a blockage of the small or large intestine, often due
to narrowing of one part of it.
- occult blood
- non-visible blood in the stool, which can easily be
detected by a simple laboratory test.
- oedema
- accumulation of excessive amounts of fluid in the
tissues resulting in swelling.
- olsalazine
- (Dipentum®)
- two 5-ASA molecules joined together chemically so
they can be broken down by bacteria in the colon to
release the 5-ASA.
- ostomy
- an artificial opening of the intestine onto the wall
of the abdomen (see stoma).
- pathologist
- a doctor who is a specialist in the examination of
tissues under the microscope.
- Pentasa®
- preparation of the drug 5-aminosalycylic acid (see
also mesalazine).
- perforation
- an abnormal opening in the bowel wall which causes
the contents of the bowel to spill into the normally
sterile abdominal cavity.
- perianal
- the area round the anal opening.
- peritoneum
- the membrane lining the inside of the abdominal
cavity.
- peritonitis
- inflammation of the peritoneum often due to a
perforation.
- "pouch" operation
- (ileoanal anastomosis)
- an operation involving the removal of diseased colon
and rectum and formation of an internal pouch using a
length of ileum which is attached directly to the anus.
Performed commonly in young people with ulcerative
colitis (see ileoanal anastomosis).
- pouchitis
- inflammation of the pouch. The exact cause in
unknown.
- prednisolone/prednisone
- are drugs of the corticosteroid group used to reduce
inflammation in IBD. They can be taken as tablets,
intravenously by injection, or through the rectum as an
enema or suppository.
- proctocolectomy
- removal by surgical operation of the colon and
rectum. The patient is left with an ileostomy.
- prognosis
- what might happen in the future (to the progress of
the disease).
- prophylactic therapy
- preventive treatment.
- Purinethol®
- see 6-mercaptopurine.
- pyoderma gangrenosum
- a type of chronic skin ulceration which sometimes
occurs on the extremities of persons with IBD.
- radiologist
- a doctor who specialises in X-ray, ultra-sound and
similar examinations.
- recurrence/relapse
- return of the disease activity.
- remission
- a lessening of symptoms of the disease and a return
to good health.
- resection
- the surgical removal of a diseased part of the
intestine.
- reservoir
- an internal pouch created from loops of small
intestine.
- rheumatologist
- a medically qualified doctor with special training in
the diagnosis and treatment of patients with diseases of
the joints and muscles.
- sigmoidoscopy
- the passing of a short lighted telescope through the
anus to inspect the lining (mucosa) of the rectum and the
lower colon.
- small bowel enema
- barium sulphate is introduced into the small
intestine through a tube. The barium sulphate adheres to
the lining of the small bowel allowing x-ray pictures to
be taken.
- small intestine
- that section of the gastrointestinal tract which
digests food and absorbs nutrients after they have passed
through the stomach.
- spastic colon
- see irritable bowel syndrome
- it is not an inflammatory bowel disease although some
of the symptoms are similar.
- spastic colitis
- see irritable bowel syndrome and spastic colon.
- stoma
- a surgically constructed opening of the intestine
onto the abdominal wall over which a bag can be fitted
and sealed to the skin.
- stool
- bowel motion, faeces.
- stricture
- an irreversible narrowing of the gut due to
scarring
- sulphasalazine
- (Salazopyrin®)
- a drug which combines 5-aminosalicylic acid with a
sulphonamide derivative. It is used to treat flare-ups
and to maintain remission in IBD.
- suppository
- a bullet-shaped plug containing a drug for insertion
into the rectum. For use where medication is required
only in the last 8-15cm of the colon and the rectum.
- tenesmus
- a persistent urge to empty the bowel usually caused
by inflammation of the rectum.
- terminal ileum
- the lowest end of the small intestine before it joins
the large intestine.
- toxic megacolon
- dilatation of the colon which may lead to
perforation, usually in a very severe attack of
ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's colitis. Urgent surgery is
almost always performed.
- total parenteral nutrition
- intravenous infusion of all the patient's
requirements of nutrients through a fine tube (catheter)
placed in a large vein.
- upper G.l. Series
- an American term for a barium meal and follow through
X-ray examination.
- viruses
- microorganisms which can replicate only within other
cells. They do not usually respond to antibiotics.
Click here for the PDF
version
|
