About Us | Privacy | Site Map
May 21, 2013


Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu) Glossary of Terms

The following are health and medical definitions of terms that appear in the Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu) article.

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

See the entire definition of Abdomen

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

See the entire definition of Abdominal

Abdominal pain: Pain in the belly. Abdominal pain can be acute or chronic. It may reflect ...

See the entire definition of Abdominal pain

Acquired: Not inherited, or present at birth (congenital), but developing after birth. For...

See the entire definition of Acquired

Antibiotic: A drug used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms. ...

See the entire definition of Antibiotic

Antiemetics: 1. As a noun, a drug taken to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting. As...

See the entire definition of Antiemetics

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

Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix, usually associated with infection of the appen...

See the entire definition of Appendicitis

Atropine: A drug, made from the belladonna plant, that is administered via injection, eye ...

See the entire definition of Atropine

Bacteria: Single-celled microorganisms that can exist either as independent (free-living) ...

See the entire definition of Bacteria

Bacterial: Of or pertaining to bacteria, as in a bacterial lung infection.

Baseline: Information or data gathered at the beginning of a period from which variations ...

See the entire definition of Baseline

Bladder: A hollow organ in the lower abdomen that stores urine. The kidneys filter waste f...

See the entire definition of Bladder

Blood count: The calculated number of white or red blood cells (WBCs or RBCs) in a cubic m...

See the entire definition of Blood count

Bowel: The small and large intestine.

back to top

Calf: The belly or fleshy hind part of the back of the leg below the knee. The calf is mad...

See the entire definition of Calf

Caliciviridae: See: Calicivirus; Norovirus.

CBC: A commonly used abbreviation in medicine that stands for complete blood count, a set...

See the entire definition of CBC

CDC: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US agency charged with tracking a...

See the entire definition of CDC

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

See the entire definition of Chronic

Clostridium: A group of anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that thrive in the absence of oxygen)...

See the entire definition of Clostridium

Clostridium difficile: A bacterium that is one of the most common causes of infection of t...

See the entire definition of Clostridium difficile

Colitis: Inflammation of the large intestine (the colon). There are many forms of coliti...

See the entire definition of Colitis

Complete blood count: A set values of the cellular (formed elements) of blood. These meas...

See the entire definition of Complete blood count

Crohn's disease: A chronic inflammatory disease, primarily involving the small and large ...

See the entire definition of Crohn's disease

Crypto: Popular name for both the parasite, Cryptosporidium parvum, and the disease it cau...

See the entire definition of Crypto

Cryptosporidium: See: Cryptosporidiosis.

Dehydration: Excessive loss of body water. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that ca...

See the entire definition of Dehydration

Diabetes: Refers to diabetes mellitus or, less often, to diabetes insipidus. Diabetes mell...

See the entire definition of Diabetes

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

See the entire definition of Diagnosis back to top

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

See the entire definition of Diarrhea

Diverticulitis: Inflammation of the diverticula (small outpouchings) along the wall of th...

See the entire definition of Diverticulitis

Dry mouth: The condition of not having enough saliva to keep the mouth wet. This is due to...

See the entire definition of Dry mouth

Dry skin: Abnormally dry skin. Can be caused by a dry climate, winter weather, deficiency...

See the entire definition of Dry skin

Dysentery: Inflammation of the intestine, with pain, diarrhea, bloody stools, and often a ...

See the entire definition of Dysentery

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

See the entire definition of Electrolyte

Escherichia coli: Full term for E. coli, the colon bacillus.

Essential: In medicine, of unknown cause, as in essential hypertension (high blood pressur...

See the entire definition of Essential

Feces: The excrement discharged from the 'intestines.

Fever: Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 degr...

See the entire definition of Fever

Flu: Short for influenza. The flu is caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract w...

See the entire definition of Flu

Food poisoning: A common flu-like illness typically characterized by nausea, vomiting and...

See the entire definition of Food poisoning

Gallbladder: A pear-shaped organ located below the liver that stores the bile secreted by ...

See the entire definition of Gallbladder

Gastroenteritis: Inflammation of the stomach and the intestines. Gastroenteritis can cause...

See the entire definition of Gastroenteritis

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

See the entire definition of Gastrointestinal back to top

Gastrointestinal tract: The stomach and intestines. Abbreviated GI tract.

Giardia: A genus of protozoa that infect the gastrointestinal tract of some animals, incl...

See the entire definition of Giardia

Giardia lamblia: A parasite responsible for a contagious form of diarrhea. The parasite i...

See the entire definition of Giardia lamblia

Giardiasis: Infection with Giardia lamblia.

Ginger: Ginger, the rhizome of the plant Zingiber officinale, has been used as medicine in...

See the entire definition of Ginger

Groin: The area where the thigh meets the hip.

Headache: A pain in the head with the pain being above the eyes or the ears, behind the he...

See the entire definition of Headache

Immune: Protected against infection, usually by the presence of antibodies.

Indicate: In medicine, to make a treatment or procedure advisable because of a particular ...

See the entire definition of Indicate

Infant: A young baby, from birth to 12 months of age.

Infection: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, an...

See the entire definition of Infection

Inflammation: A localized reaction that produces redness, warmth, swelling, and pain as a ...

See the entire definition of Inflammation

Influenza: The flu is caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract which are divide...

See the entire definition of Influenza

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

See the entire definition of Intestine

Iron: An essential mineral. Iron is necessary for the transport of oxygen (via hemoglobin ...

See the entire definition of Iron back to top

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

See the entire definition of Kidney

Laboratory: A place for doing tests and research procedures, and for preparing chemicals a...

See the entire definition of Laboratory

Lactose: The sugar found in milk. Lactose is a large sugar molecule that is made up of two...

See the entire definition of Lactose

Lactose intolerance: The inability to digest lactose, a component of milk and some other d...

See the entire definition of Lactose intolerance

Leukocytes: White Blood Cells that help the body fight infections and other diseases. Also...

See the entire definition of Leukocytes

Lightheadedness: A feeling you are "going to faint." Lightheadedness is medically distinc...

See the entire definition of Lightheadedness

Lumen: A luminous term referring to the channel within a tube such as a blood vessel or to...

See the entire definition of Lumen

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

See the entire definition of Medical history

Microscopic: So small it cannot be seen without the aid of microscope. As opposed to macro...

See the entire definition of Microscopic

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

See the entire definition of Mouth

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

See the entire definition of Muscle

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

See the entire definition of Nausea

Norovirus: A group of viruses that are a common cause of food poisoning and acute gastroen...

See the entire definition of Norovirus

Norwalk virus: A family of small round viruses that are an important cause of viral gastro...

See the entire definition of Norwalk virus

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

See the entire definition of Nutrition back to top

Oral rehydration therapy: The administration of special fluids by mouth treat dehydration...

See the entire definition of Oral rehydration therapy

Ounce: A measure of weight equal to 1/16th of a pound or, metrically, 28.35 gra...

See the entire definition of Ounce

Ova: Plural of ovum.

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

See the entire definition of Pain

Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas. Of the many causes of pancreatitis, the most c...

See the entire definition of Pancreatitis

Parasite: A plant or an animal organism that lives in or on another and takes its nourishm...

See the entire definition of Parasite

Pathology: The study of disease. Pathology has been defined as "that branch of medicine...

See the entire definition of Pathology

Poisoning: Taking a substance that is injurious to health or can cause death. Poisoning i...

See the entire definition of Poisoning

Potassium: The major positive ion (cation) found inside cells. The chemical notation for p...

See the entire definition of Potassium

Prescription: A physician's order for the preparation and administration of a drug or dev...

See the entire definition of Prescription

Primary care: A patient's main source for regular medical care, ideally providing continui...

See the entire definition of Primary care

Pseudomembranous colitis: Severe inflammation of the inner lining of the colon. Pseudomemb...

See the entire definition of Pseudomembranous colitis

Purpura: Hemorrhage (bleeding) into the surface of the skin. The area of skin with purpura...

See the entire definition of Purpura

Rash: Breaking out (eruption) of the skin. A rash can be caused by an underlying medical c...

See the entire definition of Rash

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

See the entire definition of Rectum back to top

Recuperate: To recover health and strength. Also known as convalesce.

Rehydrate: To restore lost water to the body tissues and fluids. Prompt rehydration is imp...

See the entire definition of Rehydrate

Rehydration: The process of restoring lost water (dehydration) to the body tissues and flu...

See the entire definition of Rehydration

Respiratory: Having to do with respiration.

Rotavirus: A virus that is a leading cause of severe diarrhea and dehydration in young chi...

See the entire definition of Rotavirus

Saliva: a watery secretion in the mouth produced by the salivary glands that aids in the d...

See the entire definition of Saliva

Salmonella: A group of bacteria that cause typhoid fever and a number of other illnesses...

See the entire definition of Salmonella

Shigella: A group of bacteria that can cause infantile gastroenteritis, summer diarrhea of...

See the entire definition of Shigella

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

See the entire definition of Sodium

Staph: Very commonly used shortened form of Staphylococcus, a very common and important gr...

See the entire definition of Staph

Staphylococcus: A group of bacteria that cause a multitude of diseases. Under a microscope...

See the entire definition of Staphylococcus

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

See the entire definition of Stomach

Stomach flu: A gastrointestinal illness caused by a microorganism. Stomach flu is not rela...

See the entire definition of Stomach flu

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

Supportive care: Treatment given to prevent, control, or relieve complications and side ef...

See the entire definition of Supportive care back to top

Sweat: A colorless transparent acidic fluid with a distinctive odor secreted by the small ...

See the entire definition of Sweat

Syncope: Partial or complete loss of consciousness with interruption of awareness of one...

See the entire definition of Syncope

Syndrome: A combination of symptoms and signs that together represent a disease process.

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

Toxin: A poison produced by certain animals, plants, or bacteria.

Traveler's diarrhea: Diarrhea that results from infections acquired while traveling to ano...

See the entire definition of Traveler's diarrhea

Ulcerative colitis: A bowel disease that is characterized by inflammation with ulcer forma...

See the entire definition of Ulcerative colitis

Vaccination: Injection of a killed microbe in order to stimulate the immune system against...

See the entire definition of Vaccination

Vaccines: Microbial preparations of killed or modified microorganisms that can stimulate a...

See the entire definition of Vaccines

Vibrio: A group of bacteria that includes Vibrio cholerae, the agent that causes cholera. ...

See the entire definition of Vibrio

Vibrio cholerae: One of the Vibrio bacteria, V. cholerae (as the name implies) is the a...

See the entire definition of Vibrio cholerae

Viral: Of or pertaining to a virus. For example, if a person has a viral rash, the rash wa...

See the entire definition of Viral

Viral infection: Infection caused by the presence of a virus in the body. Depending on...

See the entire definition of Viral infection

Virus: A microorganism that is smaller than a bacterium that cannot grow or reproduce apar...

See the entire definition of Virus

Viruses: Small living particles that can infect cells and change how the cells function. I...

See the entire definition of Viruses back to top

Vomit: Matter from the stomach that has come up into and may be ejected beyond the mouth, ...

See the entire definition of Vomit

Weight loss: Weight loss is a decrease in body weight resulting from either voluntary (die...

See the entire definition of Weight loss back to top


GI Disorders

Get the latest treatment options.

Please acknowledge your agreement





Medical Dictionary


Use Pill Finder Find it Now

Pill Identifier on RxList

  • quick, easy,
    pill identification

Find a Local Pharmacy

  • including 24 hour, pharmacies