Get Informed : Glossary
ABSCESS- Small bumps filled with pus.
ANEMIA- Low red blood cell count that might make you tired (common side effect of IBD)
BARIUM- a thick white chalk like solution that you drink (ugh!) to help your doctor see parts of the intestine from an xray.
BIOPSY- A small piece of tissue taken for testing in a lab.
BLOOD TESTS- When blood is taken out of you by a needle to get a 'snapshot' of what is going on. Blood is one of the first indicators that your system is out of whack so get ready for lots of these tests.
COLON- Part of the digestive 'tract' or system also known as the large bowel.
COLONOSCOPY- A common test for IBD patients where a small tube (or endoscope) is inserted through your rear end so that your GI can see what is happening in your intestines. It allows them to see the picture on a tv monitor.
ENEMA
ESOPHAGUS- The part that connects your mouth to your intestinal system.
FISTULAS
FLARE-UP- Active periods of disease.
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT- A formal name for the 9 metres of intestines that run from your mouth to your bum. Crohn's disease can affect any part of the tract while Colitis affects only the large intestine (colon).
ILEOSTOMY-
ILEUM- This is part of the digestive system also known as the small bowel.
INFLAMMATION- 'On fire' or red, hot, swollen, and sore.
REMISSION- Quiet periods of disease where you do not feel sick and your disease is 'inactive'.
STOMA-
UPPER ENDOSCOPY- A common test for IBD patients where the doctor puts a tube in your mouth to look at the upper part of your intestinal tract (through the esophagus).
VIDEO CAPSULE ENDOSCOPY- A new test where you swallow a capsule with a video camera in it to show the path it takes through the intestines.
