Glossary
Glossary of Terms
Here’s a glossary of terms related to Chron’s Disease:
- Crohn’s Disease: A chronic inflammatory bowel disease that primarily affects the digestive tract, causing inflammation, ulcers, and discomfort.
- Inflammation: A localized physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot, and often painful, especially as a reaction to injury or infection.
- Digestive Tract: The series of hollow organs from the mouth to the anus involved in the digestion and absorption of food and nutrients.
- Ulcer: A sore on the skin or a mucous membrane, accompanied by the disintegration of tissue.
- Chronic: Persisting for a long time or constantly recurring.
- Immune System: The bodily system that protects the body from foreign substances, cells, and tissues by producing the immune response.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): A group of inflammatory conditions of the colon and small intestine.
- Gastroenterologist: A physician who specializes in diseases of the digestive system.
- Colonoscopy: A procedure to examine the inside of the colon and rectum using a colonoscope.
- Endoscopy: A procedure to examine the inside of a hollow organ or cavity of the body.
- Biopsy: The removal of a small piece of tissue for examination under a microscope.
- Abscess: A swollen area within body tissue, containing an accumulation of pus.
- Fistula: An abnormal connection or passageway between two epithelium-lined organs or vessels.
- Stoma: A surgically created opening in the body for the discharge of waste.
- Rectum: The final section of the large intestine, terminating at the anus.
- Diarrhea: A condition in which feces are discharged from the bowels frequently and in a liquid form.
- Abdominal Pain: Pain occurring between the chest and pelvis.
- Fatigue: Extreme tiredness resulting from mental or physical exertion or illness.
- Malnutrition: Lack of proper nutrition caused by not having enough to eat or not eating enough of the right things.
- Immunosuppressants: Drugs that suppress or reduce the strength of the body’s immune system.
- Steroids: A group of anti-inflammatory drugs that help to reduce swelling and inflammation.
- Remission: A period during which symptoms of a disease are reduced or temporarily disappear.
- Flare-Up: A sudden and temporary worsening of the symptoms of a disease.
- Perianal Disease: Disease occurring in the area around the anus.
- Crohn’s Colitis: Crohn’s Disease that primarily affects the colon.