Bma Illustrated Medical Dictionary

Appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, cramps,

and diarrhoea are the usual symptoms.

Symptom onset and severity depends

on the cause; symptoms may be mild or

so severe that dehydration, shock,and

collapse occur. Mild cases usually require

rest and rehydration therapyonly. For

severe illness, treatment in hospital

may be necessary, with fluids given by

intravenous infusion. Antibiotic drugsmay

be given for some bacterial infections,

but others need no specific treatment.

gastroenterologyThe study of the

digestive systemand the diseases and

disorders affecting it.

gastroenterostomySurgery to create a

connection between the stomachand

the jejunum, sometimes combined with

partial gastrectomy. The operation was

formerly performed to treat duodenal

ulcer (see peptic ulcer) but is now rare.

gastrointestinal hormonesA group

of hormonesreleased from specialized

cells in the stomach, pancreas, and intes-

tine that control various functions of

the digestive organs. Gastrin, secretin,

and cholecystokininare the best known

of these hormones.

gastrointestinal tractThe part of the

digestive systemconsisting of the mouth,

oesophagus, stomach, and intestine.

gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

(GORD) The medical term for acid reflux.

gastroscopyExamination of the stom-

achusing a type of endoscopeinserted

through the mouth. Although the term

specifies examination of the stomach,

the oesophagusand duodenumare also

inspected during the procedure, which

is more correctly known as OGD (see

oesophagogastroduodenoscopy). Gastro-

scopy, in which the patient is usually

sedated, is used to investigate symptoms

such as bleeding from the upper gas-

trointestinal tract and disorders of the

oesophagus, stomach, or duodenum.

Attachments to the instrumentenable

a biopsyto be taken and treatments

such as laser treatmentto be carried out.

A gastroscope may also be used to ease

the passage of a gastric feeding tube

through the skin (see gastrostomy).

gastrostomyAn opening in the stom-

achmade surgically, usually connecting

the stomach to the outside so that a

feeding tube can be passed into the

stomach or small intestine. Gastrosto-

my may be performed on people who

cannot eat properly due to oesophageal

cancer (see oesophagus, cancer of) or

who are unable to chew and swallow due

to a stroke. (See also feeding, artificial.)

Gaucher’s diseaseA genetic disorder

in which the lack of the enzymegluco-

cerebrosidase leads to accumulation of

a fatty substance, glucosylceramide, in

the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and,

sometimes, in the brain. It is treated by

regular injections of the missing enzyme.

gauzeAn absorbent, open-weave fabric,

usually made of cotton. Sterilized gauze

is often used as a dressingfor wounds.

gavageThe process of feeding liquids

through a nasogastric tube. (See feeding,

artificial.) Gavage can also refer to

hyperalimentation.

GASTROENTEROLOGY GAVAGE

G

Oesophagus

Stomach

Monitor

Endoscope

Endoscope

ROUTE OF

ENDOSCOPE

Mouth

guard

Site of

intravenous

sedation

GASTROSCOPY