Glossary for Irritable bowel syndrome

• Abdominal Pain: A condition which is characterized by the sensation of pain that is located in the abdomen
• Abdominal cramps: A condition which is characterized by the sensation of muscle cramps that is located in the abdomen
• Abdominal discomfort: The sensation of discomfort located in the abdomen
• Abdominal pain: A condition which is characterized by the sensation of pain that is located in the abdomen
• Acute intermittent porphyria: A rare metabolic disorder characterized by a deficiency in the porphobilinogen deaminase enzyme which results in a build-up of porphyrins or its precursors in the body. Using certain drugs or eating certain foods can trigger the symptoms of the condition.
• Addison's Disease: A rare progressive hormonal disorder characterized by insufficient production of certain hormones called adrenal corticosteroids.
• Adenocarcinoma: A carcinoma derived from/within glandular tissue.
• Alcohol - Teratogenic Agent: There is strong evidence to indicate that exposure to Alcohol during pregnancy may have a teratogenic effect on the fetus. A teratogen is a substance that can cause birth defects. The likelihood and severity of defects may be affected by the level of exposure and the stage of pregnancy that the exposure occurred at.
• Anger: A strong feeling of displeasure and aggrevation
• Anxiety-tension syndrome: Anxiety associated with physical symptoms such as tense muscles and fatigue.
• Arthritis: General name for any type of joint inflammation, but often means age-related osteoarthritis.
• Bacterial diseases: Diseases caused by a bacterial infection
• Biliary colic: Colicky pain as a result of gallstones blocking the gallbladder.
• Bowel conditions: Medical conditions that affect the bowels
• Bowel inflammation: A condition which is characterized by inflammation of the bowel portion of the gastrointestinal tract
• Caffeine - Teratogenic Agent: There is strong evidence to indicate that exposure to caffeine during pregnancy may have a teratogenic effect on the fetus. A teratogen is a substance that can cause birth defects. The likelihood and severity of defects may be affected by the level of exposure and the stage of pregnancy that the exposure occurred at.
• Capillaria philippiensis infection: A fish borne parasite that can infect humans. Transmission most often occurs through ingestion of contaminated fish. Severity of symptoms tend to increase as the number of worms multiply in the intestines. Death can occur if the condition is left untreated.
• Carcinoid: Particular type of tumor.
• Carcinoid syndrome: Carcinoid heart disease is a rare, metastatic disease that occurs predominantly in the right heart. The tricuspid and pulmonic valves are affected, leading to right heart failure, which results in increased morbidity and mortality.
• Celiac Disease: Digestive intolerance to gluten in the diet.
• Chronic Pancreatitis: Chronic ongoing inflammation of the pancreas causing digestive complaints.
• Chronic diarrhea: Diarrhoea lasting for more than 3 weeks
• Chronic digestive diseases: Any disorder causing ongoing chronic digestive complaints.
• Chronic pelvic pain:
• Collagenous Colitis: A chronic disorder of the digestive system characterized by inflammation and thickening of the large intestine lining.
• Colon conditions: Any condition affecting the colon
• Colorectal Polyps: Polyp growths in the colon or rectum.
• Colorectal cancer: Cancer of the colon (bowel) or rectum.
• Constipation: Difficult or dry bowel movements
• Constipation-predominant IBS: IBS is a functional bowel disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, and alteration of bowel habits
• Cotard syndrome: A rare syndrome involving depression, suicidal thoughts and the belief that they no longer have a body and are already dead. Sometimes they believe that their body is rotting or that they have no blood or internal organs. Occasionally they believe they are immortal. The condition may have neurological or mental origins.
• Crohn's disease: Crohn's disease causes inflammation of the digestive system. It is one of a group of diseases called inflammatory bowel disease. The disease can affect any area from the mouth to the anus. It often affects the lower part of the small intestine called the ileum.
• Deposition diseases related fibromyalgia: Deposition diseases related fibromyalgia refers to fibromyalgia that is associated with deposition diseases. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized mainly by pain mainly in the muscles which involves no associated damage to the tissues. Deposition diseases involve the abnormal deposit of material in parts of the body such as the joints e.g. gout.
• Depression: Various syndromes with excessive anxiety, phobias, or fear.
• Depressive disorders: Depression or its various related conditions.
• Diabetes: Failing or reduced ability of the body to handle sugars.
• Diabetic Diarrhea: Diarrhea that occurs in diabetics as a result of the damage done by diabetes to the digestive system. Digestive system damage is caused by intestinal neuropathy (damage to intestinal nerves) or bacterial overgrowth or both.
• Diabetic Gastroparesis: Gastroparesis is a diabetic complication that occurs from neuropathy of the stomach nerve (called the "vagus nerve"). This causes digestive difficulties as the food starts to move too slowly through the stomach.
• Diarrhea: Loose or watery stool.
• Diarrhea-predominant IBS: IBS is a functional bowel disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, and alteration of bowel habits
• Digestive Diseases: Diseases that affect the digestive system
• Diverticular Disease: Protrusions of the colon wall (diverticulosis) or their inflammation (diverticulitis)
• Diverticular disease and diverticulitis:
• Emotional stress: A condition which occurs when a person is under stress affecting their emotions
• Endocrine system cancer: Cancer that affects any gland in the endocrine system
• Endometriosis: Misplaced uterus tissue causing scar tissue.
• Endometritis: Inflammation of the endometrium (uterine lining)
• Epstein Barr virus related fibromyalgia: Epstein Barr virus related fibromyalgia refers to fibromyalgia that is associated with infection with the Epstein Barr virus. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized mainly by pain mainly in the muscles which involves no associated damage to the tissues.
• Fibromyalgia: A difficult to diagnose condition affecting the muscles and/or joints
• Food Additive Adverse reaction - MSG: An intolerance to MSG is an adverse reaction (not an immune response) by the body to a food additive called MSG which is used in a number of foods. The adverse reaction results from the body's inability to metabolize or deal with the food additive. The amount of the substance required to trigger the onset of symptoms and the nature and severity of symptoms may vary considerably between patients.
• Food Additive Adverse reaction - amines: An intolerance to amines is an adverse reaction (not an immune response) by the body to amines which are found naturally in foods such as bananas, pineapples, vegetables, red wine, citrus fruit and many other foods. The adverse reaction results from the body's inability to metabolize or deal with the substance. The amount of the substance required to trigger the onset of symptoms and the nature and severity of symptoms may vary considerably between patients.
• Food Additive Adverse reaction - chocolate: An intolerance to chocolate is an adverse reaction (not an immune response) by the body to chocolate. The adverse reaction results from the body's inability to metabolize the food. The amount of chocolate required to trigger the onset of symptoms and the nature and severity of symptoms may vary considerably between patients.
• Food Additive Adverse reaction - food additives: An intolerance to food additives is an adverse reaction (not an immune response) by the body to food additives. The adverse reaction results from the body's inability to metabolize or deal with the food additive. The amount of the substance required to trigger the onset of symptoms and the nature and severity of symptoms may vary considerably between patients.
• Food Additive Adverse reaction - salicylate: An intolerance to salicylates is an adverse reaction (not an immune response) by the body to salicylates which is an ingredient in aspirin but is also found naturally in various fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices. The adverse reaction results from the body's inability to metabolize or deal with the salicylate. The amount of the substance required to trigger the onset of symptoms and the nature and severity of symptoms may vary considerably between patients.
• Food Additive Adverse reaction - sulfite: An intolerance to sulfites is an adverse reaction (not an immune response) by the body to sulfites which is often used as a preservative in a variety of foods and medications including meats, salads and dried fruits. The adverse reaction results from the body's inability to metabolize or deal with the sulfite. The amount of the substance required to trigger the onset of symptoms and the nature and severity of symptoms may vary considerably between patients.
• Food Additive Adverse reaction - sulphite: An intolerance to sulphite is an adverse reaction (not an immune response) by the body to sulphite. The adverse reaction results from the body's inability to metabolize the substance. The amount of sulphite required to trigger the onset of symptoms and the nature and severity of symptoms may vary considerably between patients.
• Food poisoning: Poisoning from a substance or microbe in food.
• Fructose intolerance: An enzyme deficiency that causes toxic symptoms when fructose containing food is ingested.
• GAS: Excessive flatulence or belching from gas over-production.
• Gallstones: Stone-like deposits in the gall bladder.
• Gastric Ulcer: A gastric ulcer is a break in the normal tissue that lines the stomach.
• Gastrinoma: Rare tumors secreting the digestive hormone gastrin.
• Gastroenteritis: Acute stomach or intestine inflammation
• Giardia: Contagious parasitic digestive infection
• Gluten allergy: Gluten allergy is an adverse reaction by the body's immune system to gluten or foods containing gluten. The specific symptoms that can result can vary considerably amongst patients from a severe anaphylactic reaction to asthma, abdominal symptoms, eczema or headaches. Gluten allergy is similar to celiac disease - celiac disease only occurs in people with a genetic defect which predisposes them to the condition whereas gluten can occur in anyone but is more common in people who are also prone to other allergies.
• Graves Disease: is an autoimmune disease characterized by hyperthyroidism due to circulating autoantibodies. Thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSIs) bind to and activate thyrotropin receptors, causing the thyroid gland to grow and the thyroid follicles to increase synthesis of thyroid hormone.
• Hirschsprung's disease: A rare condition where abnormalities in the bowel muscles prevent it from contracting normally and pushing the fecal matter through which results in obstruction and dilation of the bowel.
• Hypercalcemia: Raised level of calcium in the blood
• Hyperthyroidism: Too much thyroid hormone production.
• Hypothyroidism: Too little thyroid hormone production.
• IBS associated with endometriosis: IBS is a functional bowel disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, and alteration of bowel habits in the presence of endometriosiis which is characterised by the ectopic presence of endometrial tissue in various parts of the body.
• IBS associated with giardiasis: IBS is a functional bowel disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, and alteration of bowel habits and can follow giardiasis which is a parasitisc infection caused by a single cell organism called giardia Lamblia.
• IBS associated with inflammatory bowel disease: IBS is a functional bowel disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, and alteration of bowel habits and can occur in patients with Crohn's/ Ulcerative colitis.
• IBS associated with pain disorders: It is a functional bowel disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, and alteration of bowel habits in the absence of any organic cause. IBS may be associated with pain disorders and pyschological disorders.
• IBS associated with psychological disorders: It is a functional bowel disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, and alteration of bowel habits in the absence of any organic cause. IBS may be associated with pyschological disorders.
• Ichthyosis bullosa of Siemens: A rare inherited form of the genetic skin blistering disorder called ichthyosis bullosa. The condition is characterized by widespread reddening, blistering and peeling of fragile skin that starts at birth. Symptoms tend to improve with age
• Inflammatory bowel disease: Inflammatory bowel disease refers to digestive symptoms resulting from chronic bowel inflammation. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are two of the main subtypes of the disease. Scientists have discovered an array of genetic mutations which can result in an increased susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease. Not all people with the genetic anomaly will develop the condition but it can increase the risk especially if other environmental factors are also present. The severity of the disease that develops is variable.
• Inheritable disorders of connective tissue: Disorders that affect the connective tissue of the body that are handed down from generation to generation
• Intestinal pseudo-obstruction: A digestive disorder where the intestines are unable to contract normally and push food through the digestive system. This results in symptoms similar to an obstruction and hence the name pseudo-obstruction. The walls of the affected gastrointestinal tract becomes thin and the muscles that control its motion start to degenerate.
• Irritability: Excessive feelings of annoyance or frustration.
• Irritable bowel syndrome: Spasms in the colon wall
• Lactose Intolerance: Lactose intolerance is the inability to metabolize lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products, because the required enzyme lactase is absent in the intestinal system or its availability is lowered.
• Lead toxicity:
• Lymphocytic colitis: Inflammation of the colon which is only visible through a microscope.
• Major depressive disorder related fibromyalgia: Major depressive disorder related fibromyalgia refers to fibromyalgia that is associated with major depression. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized mainly by pain mainly in the muscles which involves no associated damage to the tissues.
• Malabsorption syndrome: is an alteration in the ability of the intestine to absorb nutrients adequately into the bloodstream
• Menstruation: The passage of blood and uterine tissue through the vagina cyclically
• Myofascial pain syndromes: Any pain associated with the myofascia of the muscle tissue
• Neurosis: Variety of mental disorders with self-awareness
• Nonulcer dyspepsia: Persistent indigestion not caused by a peptic ulcer.
• Opportunistic infections: Is defined as an infection that occurs due to an organism that does not usually cause disease but becomes pathogenic under certain conditions
• Pain-predominant IBS: It is a functional bowel disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, and alteration of bowel habits in the absence of any organic cause. IBS may be associated with pain disorders.
• Pancreatic insufficiency: Impaired pancreatic functioning. The pancreas does not produce sufficient digestive enzymes to properly digest lipids and proteins. Pancreatic insufficiency may be caused by such things as pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis, pancreatic resection and chronic pancreatitis.
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Infection of the womb and fallopian tubes.
• Peptic Ulcer: Ulcer on the lining of the stomach or duodenum
• Peptic ulcer / duodenal ulcer:
• Post-infectious IBS: Post-infecttios IBS is a functional bowel disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, and alteration of bowel habits following any infection affecting the body.
• Premenstrual syndrome: Condition with cyclic symptoms related to menstruation.
• Primary Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized mainly by pain mainly in the muscles which involves no associated damage to the tissues. Primary fibromyalgia is a term given to fibromyalgia that occurs for no apparent reason whereas secondary fibromyalgia has an identifiable cause. The primary form is more common than the secondary form.
• Rheumatoid arthritis related fibromyalgia: Rheumatoid arthritis related fibromyalgia refers to fibromyalgia that is associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized mainly by pain mainly in the muscles which involves no associated damage to the tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory form of arthritis and is an autoimmune disease.
• SLE related fibromyalgia: SLE related fibromyalgia refers to fibromyalgia that is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized mainly by pain mainly in the muscles which involves no associated damage to the tissues. SLE is an autoimmune disease that can affect virtually any body system e.g. blood vessels and organs.
• Secondary Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized mainly by pain mainly in the muscles which involves no associated damage to the tissues. Primary fibromyalgia is a term given to fibromyalgia that occurs for no apparent reason whereas secondary fibromyalgia has an identifiable cause. The primary form is more common than the secondary form.
• Seronegative spondyloarthropathy: Spondyloarthropathy that is negative to rheumatoid facotr
• Sleep disturbance related fibromyalgia: Sleep disturbance related fibromyalgia refers to fibromyalgia that is associated with sleep disturbance. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized mainly by pain mainly in the muscles which involves no associated damage to the tissues.
• Stomach pain: The occurrence of pain located in the stomach
• Tenesmus: feeling of incomplete evacuation of bowel
• Tension myositis related fibromyalgia: Tension myositis related fibromyalgia refers to fibromyalgia that is associated with tension myositis. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized mainly by pain mainly in the muscles which involves no associated damage to the tissues. Tension myositis is a chronic pain syndrome that tends to mainly affect the back, neck, arm and pelvis.
• Ulcerative colitis: Ulcerative colitis (Colitis ulcerosa, UC) is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis is a form of colitis, a disease of the intestine, specifically the large intestine or colon, that includes characteristic ulcers, or open sores, in the colon.

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