Encopresis Glossary of Terms

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Abdomen: The belly, that part of the body that contains all of the structures between the...

Abdominal: Relating to the abdomen, the belly, that part of the body that contains all of ...

Abnormal: Outside the expected norm, or uncharacteristic of a particular patient.

Absorption: Uptake. For example, intestinal absorption is the uptake of food (or other sub...

ADHD: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Anal itching: Irritation of the skin at the exit of the rectum, accompanied by the desire ...

Anus: The opening of the rectum to the outside of the body.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A disorder in which a person is unable to contro...

Barium: 1. A metallic element belonging to the alkaline earths with an atomic numbe...

Barium enema: An enema using a white, chalky solution containing barium, in preparation fo...

Biofeedback: A method of treatment that uses a monitor to measure patients' physiologic in...

Biopsy: The removal of a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope to check for ...

Bowel: The small and large intestine.

Cancer: An abnormal growth of cells which tend to proliferate in an uncontrolled way and, ...

Capsule: Capsule has many meanings in medicine including the following:

1. In medici...

Chronic: In medicine, lasting a long time. A chronic condition is one that lasts 3 months ...

Colon: The long, coiled, tubelike organ that removes water from digested food. The remaini...

Colon cancer: A malignant tumor arising from the inner wall of the large intestine (the co...

Colonic: 1. See: Colonic (adjective). 2. See: Colonic (noun).

Colonoscopy: A procedure whereby a physician inserts a viewing tube (colonoscope) into the...

Constipation: Infrequent and frequently incomplete bowel movements. Constipation is the op...

Contraction: The tightening and shortening of a muscle.

Contrast: Short for "contrast media." Contrast media are X-ray dyes used to provide contra...

Diagnosis: 1 The nature of a disease; the identification of an illness. 2 A ...

Diarrhea: A common condition that involves unusually frequent and liquid bowel movements. ...

Distention: The state of being distended, enlarged, swollen from internal pressure.

Electrolyte: A substance that dissociates into ions in solution and acquires the capacity ...

Encopresis: The inability to control the elimination of stool. Encopresis can have a varie...

Enema: Liquid injected into the rectum. An enema may be used for therapeutic (such as to s...

Fecal: Relating to the feces, the stool. The excrement discharged from the intestines.

Fecal incontinence: Inability to hold feces in the rectum. This is due to failure of volun...

Feces: The excrement discharged from the 'intestines.

Fiber: The parts of fruits and vegetables that cannot be digested. Fiber is of vital impor...

Gastroenterologist: A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases...

Gastroenterology: The medical specialty devoted to the study, diagnosis and treatment of d...

Gastrointestinal: Adjective referring collectively to the stomach and small and large inte...

Hormone: A chemical substance produced in the body that controls and regulates the activit...

Hyperactivity: A higher than normal level of activity. An organ can be described as hyper...

Incontinence: The inability to control excretions, to hold urine in the bladder, or to kee...

Intervention: The act of intervening, interfering or interceding with the intent of modify...

Intestine: The long, tubelike organ in the abdomen that completes the process of digestion...

Involuntary: Done other than in accordance with the conscious will of the individual. The ...

Itching: An uncomfortable sensation in the skin that feels as if something is crawling on ...

Kidney: One of a pair of organs located in the right and left side of the abdomen. The kid...

Large bowel: Another name for the large intestine.

Large intestine: Comes after the small intestine. Large because it is wider than the smal...

Laxative: Something that promotes emptying of the bowels. Laxatives are used to combat con...

Magnesia: Named after a town in present day Turkey where an ore containing magnesium carbo...

Magnesium: A mineral involved in many processes in the body including nerve signaling, the...

Manometry: The measurement of pressure using a device called a manometer. Esophageal manom...

Medical history: 1. In clinical medicine, the patient's past and present which may ...

Megacolon: An abnormally enlarged colon. Megacolon can arise as a serious congenital probl...

Microscope: An optical instrument that augments the power of the eye to see small objects....

Mouth: 1. The upper opening of the digestive tract, beginning with the lips and con...

Muscle: Muscle is the tissue of the body which primarily functions as a source of power. T...

Nausea: Stomach queasiness, the urge to vomit. Nausea can be brought on by many causes, in...

Nutrition: 1) The science or practice of taking in and utilizing foods. 2) A nourishing ...

Objective: In a microscope, the objective (also called the objective lens) is the lens nea...

Pain: An unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pa...

Pediatric: Pertaining to children.

Pediatrics: The field of medicine that is concerned with the health of infants, children, ...

Pelvic: Having to do with the pelvis, the lower part of the abdomen, located between the h...

Pelvis: The lower part of the abdomen, located between the hip bones. Structures in the fe...

Peristalsis: The rippling motion of muscles in the digestive tract. In the stomach, this m...

Phosphate: A form of phosphoric acid. Calcium phosphate makes bones and teeth hard.

Pound: A measure of weight that is equal to 16 ounces or, metrically, 453.6 grams. Abbrevi...

Prognosis: The forecast of the probable outcome or course of a disease; the patient's chan...

Public health: The approach to medicine that is concerned with the health of the community...

Radiopaque: Opaque to one or another form of radiation, such as X-rays. Radiopaque objects...

Rectum: The last 6 to 8 inches of the large intestine. The rectum stores solid waste until...

Recurrent: Appearing or occurring again. For example, a recurrent fever is a fever that ha...

Refractory: Not yielding, or not yielding readily, to treatment.

Regimen: A plan or a regulated course, such as a diet, exercise, or treatment, that is des...

Rule out: Term used in medicine, meaning to eliminate or exclude something from considera...

Saline: Relating to salt. As an adjective, "saline" means "salty, containing salt." As a n...

Sensation: In medicine and physiology, sensation refers to the registration of an incoming...

Sleep: The body's rest cycle.

Sodium: The major positive ion (cation) in the fluid surrounding cells in the body. The ch...

Stomach: The digestive organ that is located in the upper abdomen, under the ribs. The upp...

Stool: The solid matter that is discharged in a bowel movement.

Strain: 1. An injury to a tendon or muscle resulting from overuse or trauma. 2. A heredita...

Substance: 1. Material with particular features.
2. The material that...

Surgery: The branch of medicine that employs operations in the treatment of disease or inj...

Therapy: The treatment of disease. Therapy is synonymous with treatment.

Trauma: A physical or emotional injury.

X-ray: High-energy radiation with waves shorter than those of visible light. X-ray is used...