DICTIONARY

Uncoordinated contractions down the length of the esophagus that may cause pain or trouble swallowing.

A nutrition expert who helps people plan what and how much food to eat.

Frequent, loose, and watery bowel movements. Common causes include gastrointestinal infections, irritable bowel syndrome, medicines, and malabsorption.

The muscle wall between the chest and the abdomen. It is the major muscle used for breathing.

The part of the colon where stool is stored. It is usually located on the left side of the abdomen.

A skin disorder associated with celiac disease and characterized by severe itching and blisters.

Nerve or muscle damage in the stomach that causes slow emptying, vomiting, nausea, or bloating. Also called delayed gastric emptying.

Loss of fluids from the body, sometimes caused by diarrhea. It may result in the loss of important salts and minerals.

The passage of bowel contents through the rectum and anus.

A blockage of the cystic duct, often caused by gallstones.

The tube that carries bile from the gallbladder into the common bile duct.

Sudden, repeated attacks of severe vomiting, nausea, and physical exhaustion with no apparent cause that occur in children and adults, but more often in children. Attacks can last from a few hours to 10 days. The episodes begin and end ...

A parasite that can cause gastrointestinal infection and diarrhea.

A small cavity between villi extending into the epithelial surface of the small intestine.

A form of inflammatory bowel disease that causes irritation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It usually affects the lower small intestine (also called the ileum) or the colon, but it can also affect any part of the GI tract. Also ...