Medical Terminology Simplified

Additional Medical Terms • CHAPTER 6 259259

Condition characterized by gastrointestinal signs and symptoms, including constipa-

tion, diarrhea, gas, and bloating, all in the absence of organic pathology; also called

spastic colon

Contributing factors of IBS include stress and tension. Treatment consists of dietary

modifications, such as avoiding irritating foods or adding a high-fiber diet and laxatives

if constipation is a symptom. It also includes antidiarrheal and antispasmodic drugs, as

well as alleviating anxiety and stress.

Condition in which a person accumulates an amount of fat that exceeds the body’s

skeletal and physical standards, usually an increase of 20 percent or more above ideal

body weight

More severe obesity in which a person has a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater,

which is generally 100 or more pounds over ideal body weight

Morbid obesity is a disease with serious medical, psychological, and social ramifications.

Inflammation or infection of the pancreas that occurs when pancreatic enzymes that

digest food are activated in the pancreas instead of the duodenum and attack pancre-

atic tissue, causing damage to the gland

Pancreatitis is caused by chronic alcoholism, gallstones, drug toxicity, infections, and

metabolic disorders. Treatment includes administration of pancreatic enzymes, medica-

tions to relieve epigastric pain, intravenous fluids, subtotal pancreatectomy, or choledo-

cholithotomy to remove a gallstone.

Bacterial or fungal infection of the peritoneum that can result from any rupture (per-

foration) in the abdomen or as a complication of other medical conditions

Peritonitis requires prompt medical attention. Treatment involves antibiotics and, in

some cases, surgery. If left untreated, peritonitis can lead to severe, potentially life-threat-

ening infection throughout the body.

Small, stalklike growth that resembles a mushroom and protrudes upward or out-

ward from a mucous membrane surface

Polyps detected during colonoscopy are excised (polypectomy) and sent to the laboratory

for microscopic tissue examination (biopsy). This test is used to screen for cancerous or

abnormal cells. (See Fig. 6–12.)

irritable bowel

syndrome (IBS)

ĬR-ĭ-tă-bl BŎWL

SĬN-drōm

obesity

morbid obesity

pancreatitis

păn-krē-ă-TĪ-tĭs

pancreat: pancreas

-itis: inflammation

peritonitis

pĕr-ĭ-tō-NĪ-tĭs

polyp

PŎL-ĭp

Figure 6-12Polypectomy.