gastroesophageal reflux disease A condition in which the stomach contents return back up into the esophagus. Abbreviated GERD. GERD frequently causes heartburn because of irritation of the esophagus by stomach acid. GERD can lead to scarring and stricture of the esophagus, which requires stretching (dilating) of the esophagus. Ten percent of patients with GERD develop…
gastroenterologist A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive system.
gastroenteritis Inflammation of the stomach and the intestines. Gastroenteritis can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Gastroenteritis has numerous causes, including infections (viruses, bacteria, and parasites), food poisoning, and stress.
gastritis Inflammation of the stomach.
gastric ulcer A hole in the lining of the stomach that is caused by the acidic digestive juices secreted by the stomach cells. Ulcer formation is related to infection with H. pylori bacteria in the stomach, the use of anti-inflammatory medications, and cigarette smoking. Ulcer pain may not correlate with the presence or severity of…
gastric emptying study A test that evaluates the process of emptying food from the stomach. For a gastric emptying study, a patient eats a meal in which the food or beverage is mixed with a small amount of radioactive material. A scanner that acts like a Geiger counter is placed over the stomach to monitor…
gastric cancer See cancer, gastric.
gastric bypass A type of bariatric surgery that involves stapling or banding techniques to reduce the stomach to a small pouch and connecting the new, smaller stomach directly to the middle portion of the small intestine, thereby bypassing the remainder of the stomach and a portion of the small intestine. The procedure is performed to…
gastric banding A surgical procedure that converts the upper part of the stomach into a very small pouch, forcing the patient to eat only tiny portions yet still feel full. Gastric banding is a type of bariatric surgery that is normally done only in severe cases of obesity. The operation is sometimes called gastric stapling,…
gastric atrophy A condition in which the stomach muscles shrink and become weak. Gastric atrophy may result in a lack of digestive juices due to accompanying shrinkage of the digestive glands.
gastric Having to do with the stomach.
gastrectomy Surgery to remove part or all of the stomach.