| syndrome, irritable bowel | A common gastrointestinal disorder (also called spastic colitis, mucus colitis or nervous colon syndrome), ibs is an abnormal condition of gut contractions (motility) characterised by abdominal pain, bloating, mucous in stools, and irregular bowel habits with more than alternating diarrhoea and constipation, symtoms that tend to be chronic and wax and wane over the years. Although ibs can cause chronic recurrent discomfort, it does not lead to any serious organ problems. Diagnosis usually involves more than excluding other illnesses. Treatment is directed toward relief of symptoms and includes high fibre diet, exercise, relaxation techniques, avoidance of caffeine, milk products and sweeteners, and medications. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| irritable | 1. Capable of being irriated. 2. Very susceptible of anger or passion; easily inflamed or exasperated; as, an irritable temper. "Vicious, old, and irritable." (Tennyson) 3. <physiology> Endowed with irritability; susceptible of irritation; capable of being excited to action by the application of certain stimuli. 4. <medicine> Susceptible of irritation; unduly sensitive to irritants or stimuli. See Irritation. Synonym: Excitable, irascible, touchy, fretful, peevish. Origin: L. Irritabilis: cf. F. Irritable. See Irritate. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| irritable bowel disease | <disease> A functional bowel disorder characterised by recurrent crampy abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Invasive gastrointestinal diagnostics are often unrevealing. (27 Sep 1997) |
| irritable bowel syndrome | <syndrome> A functional bowel disorder characterised by recurrent crampy abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Invasive gastrointestinal diagnostics are often unrevealing. (27 Sep 1997) |
| irritable breast | Swelling and induration of the breast, not due to a neoplasm, and usually of comparatively brief duration. (05 Mar 2000) |
| irritable colon | A functional bowel disorder characterised by recurrent crampy abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Invasive gastrointestinal diagnostics are often unrevealing. (27 Sep 1997) |
| irritable heart | An obsolete term for neurocirculatory asthenia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| irritable mood | Abnormal or excessive excitability with easily triggered anger, annoyance, or impatience. (12 Dec 1998) |
| acute decubitus ulcer | A severe form of bedsore, of neutrophic origin, occurring in hemiplegia or paraplegia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Aden ulcer | The lesion occurring in cutaneous leishmaniasis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| amputating ulcer | An ulcer encircling a limb. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anastomotic ulcer | An ulcer of jejunum, after gastroenterostomy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anti-ulcer agents | Various agents with different action mechanisms used to treat or ameliorate ulcers or irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. (12 Dec 1998) |
| aphthous ulcer | <gastroenterology> A type of benign mouth ulcer often caused by injury to the mucosal lining of the oral cavity, viral infection or vitamin deficiency. (27 Sep 1997) |
| atonic ulcer | An ulcer that shows little or no tendency to heal. (05 Mar 2000) |