What Is Small Intestinal Edema? Small intestinal edema is characterized by fluid accumulation within the intestinal mucosa so that the intestinal wall appears thick and swollen. Intestinal edema hampers peristalsis that can result in pain and gas build-up. Peristalsis is ...
Read More »Erosions in the Second Part of the Duodenum
What Are Erosions In The Second Part Of The Duodenum? Erosions in the second part of the duodenum typically are superficial excoriations (sores) in the mucosal lining that do not penetrate into the muscle layer as does an ulcer. Of ...
Read More »Diarrhea, Acute
What Is Acute Diarrhea? Acute diarrhea is a small intestinal motility disorder characterized by excessively rapid movement of intestinal contents through the small intestine with excessive loss of fluid and electrolytes that leads rapidly to a life threatening hypokalemia (low ...
Read More »Carbohydrate Malabsorption
What Is Carbohydrate Malabsorption? Carbohydrate malabsorption is a digestive disorder characterized by the inability to properly digest and absorb carbohydrates within the small intestine to supply needed energy to the body. Q: What carbohydrates should be normally digested and absorbed? A: In normal ...
Read More »Abdominal Pain, Chronic or Recurrent
What Is Chronic Or Recurrent Abdominal Pain? Abdominal pain is characterized by pain anywhere in the abdominal cavity between the chest and groin. This region is often referred to as the belly. Abdominal pain, or bellyache, indicates that something is ...
Read More »Abdominal Distention, Chronic (Bloating)
What Is Chronic Abdominal Distention? Abdominal distention, or bloating, is characterized by enlargement in normal size of abdomen not due to fatty tissue. Q: Why does the abdomen enlarge? A: The abdomen enlarges because the bowel is dysfunctional. Loops of ...
Read More »Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
What Is Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis? Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is an uncommon, slowly progressive bile duct disease that results in stagnation or build-up of bile in the liver, called cholestasis. Primary sclerosing cholangitis is characterized by sclerosis, or scarring inflammation ...
Read More »Cirrhosis, Primary Biliary
What Is Primary Biliary Cirrhosis? Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a biliary tract disease characterized by chronic cholestasis (build-up of bile) and gradual destruction of bile ducts within the liver, called intrahepatic bile ducts, caused by chronic inflammation. Primary biliary ...
Read More »Autoimmune Cholangitis
What Is Autoimmune Cholangitis? Autoimmune cholangitis is a rare inflammatory self-targeted disease of the biliary tract produced by high levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies and antinuclear antibodies (ANA). Autoimmune cholangitis is characterized by progressive inflammation and scarring that leads to ...
Read More »Gastritis, Collagenous
What Is Collagenous Gastritis? Collagenous gastritis is a rarely reported stomach disorder characterized by the deposition of a subepithelial collagen band and accompanying inflammatory infiltrate in the stomach wall. A subepithelial collagen band means that collagen, a tough fibrous protein, has ...
Read More »Multiple Gastric Ulcerations
What Are Multiple Gastric Ulcerations? Multiple gastric ulcerations denote a stomach disorder that involves damage to the superficial mucosa characterized by many sores of the stomach antrum that are marked by inflammation, necrosis (death of the affected cells) and sloughing of ...
Read More »Gastroparesis – Delayed Gastric Emptying
What Is Delayed Gastric Emptying? Delayed gastric emptying is a stomach motility or movement disorder characterized by abnormally slow movement of gastric contents from the stomach through the pyloric sphincter into the duodenum, causing dyspepsia. Q: What determines how fast ...
Read More »Heartburn
What Is Heartburn? Heartburn is a functional upper digestive symptom of esophagitis that is characterized by a burning sensation behind the breastbone. Q: Why does esophagitis cause heartburn? A: Esophagitis is inflammation of the mucosal lining of the esophagus. The most ...
Read More »Esophageal Motor Abnormalities – Food Sticks In Esophagus
What Are Esophageal Motor Abnormalities? Esophageal motor abnormalities are disorders of the esophagus involving altered muscular motility characterized by impaired esophageal peristalsis, or the progressive wave-like movement that occurs automatically when food or fluids are swallowed. Q: What is altered ...
Read More »Cancer, Esophageal Small Cell
What Is Esophageal Small Cell Cancer (Carcinoma)? Esophageal small cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive malignancy arising in the esophagus with a poor prognosis. Q: Where does the cancer occur in the esophagus? A: Esophageal cancer can occur anywhere in ...
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