| bowel | A general term that includes the small and large intestine. (27 Sep 1997) |
|---|---|
| bowel bypass | A surgical procedure consisting of the anastomosis of the proximal part of the jejunum to the distal portion of the ileum, so as to bypass the nutrient-absorptive segment of the small intestine, to treat morbid obesity. (12 Dec 1998) |
| bowel bypass syndrome | <syndrome> Fever, chills, malaise, and inflammatory cutaneous papules and pustules on the extremities and upper trunk, sometimes with polyarthralgia, with recurrent symptoms following bowel bypass surgery. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bowel disorders and fibre | High fibre diets help delay the progression of diverticulosis and, at least, reduce the bouts of diverticulitis. In many cases, it helps reduce the symptoms of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome ( IBS ). It is generally accepted that a diet high in fibre is protective, or at least reduces the incidence, of colon polyps and colon cancer. (12 Dec 1998) |
| bowel infections | An infection, viral or bacterial, of the intestines. (27 Sep 1997) |
| bowel movement | Defecation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bowel obstruction | A blockage of the bowel lumen prohibiting the passage of material. Common symptoms include constipation, abdominal swelling and abdominal pain. Treatment includes intravenous fluids, rest, nasogastric suction and surgery in select cases. (27 Sep 1997) |
| bowel perforation | Complete penetration of the intestinal wall resulting in the potential for bacterial contamination of the abdominal cavity (peritonitis). (27 Sep 1997) |
| bowel sounds | Sounds heard when contractions of the lower intestines propel contents forward. The physician will listen to bowel sounds (using a stethoscope) as part of the normal physical examination of the abdomen. Their absence can indicate intestinal obstruction or ileus (paralysis of the bowel). (27 Sep 1997) |
| gay bowel syndrome | <syndrome> Gastrointestinal discomfort experienced by homosexual males; includes abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea caused by enteric bacteria, viruses, fungi, zooparasites, or trauma. (05 Mar 2000) |
| massive bowel resection syndrome | <syndrome> Malabsorption following extensive resection of the bowel, particularly the small intestine, characterised by diarrhoea, steatorrhoea, hypoproteinaemia, and malnutrition. (05 Mar 2000) |
| short bowel syndrome | <syndrome> A malabsorption syndrome resulting from extensive operative resection of small bowel. (12 Dec 1998) |
| short-bowel syndrome | <syndrome> Malabsorption and maldigestion resulting from disease or resection of large portions of the small intestine. (05 Mar 2000) |
| 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) |
| inflammatory bowel disease | <disease> A general term that encompasses several disease processes, most commonly, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. (27 Sep 1997) |