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Glossary
- Abdomen
- Acute
- Anti-spasmodic
- Antibodies
- Antigen
- Belching
- Bloating
- Bowel
- Candida
- Carbohydrate
- Carminative
- Chronic
- Clostridium difficile
- Coeliac disease
- Constipation
- Contraindications
- Crohn's disease
- Defecation
- Diarrhoea
- Diverticulitis
- Dysbiosis
- Fermentation
- Fibre
- Flatulence
- Gastroenteritis
- Gluten
- GORD
- Gullet
- Gut flora
- Haemorrhoids
- Histamine
- Homeostasis
- Hormones
- Hypoallergenic
- Immune
- Indigestion
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease - IBD
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome - IBS
- Laxative
- Leaky gut syndrome
- Lumen
- Malabsorption
- Metabolism
- Microbes
- Microvilli
- Mucosa
- Nausea
- Neurotransmitters
- Oesophagus
- Pathogen
- Peristalsis
- Placebo
- Prebiotic
- Probiotic
- Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth - SIBO
- Stool
- Thorax
- Triphala
- Trophic
- Ulcerative colitis
- Abdomen
The abdomen or abdominal region refers to the part of the body between the pelvis and the chest. Within the abdominal cavity the gastrointestinal, liver, spleen, pancreas and kidneys are found.
- Acute
Acute is a term describing a rapid, sudden or short-lived condition, symptoms, etc.
- Anti-spasmodic
An anti-spasmodic is a compound, herb or drug that helps relax muscle spasms. Gastrointestinal anti-spasmodics are often used to help manage pain or cramps associated with IBS.
- Antibodies
Antibodies or immunoglobulins are proteins used by the immune system to help neutralise antigens or foreign/potential dangerous invaders (such as bacteria or viruses). Sometimes the immune system becomes confused, producing antibodies to fight substances that aren't harmful, such as with autoimmune diseases like IBD or with food intolerances.
- Antigen
An antigen is any substance the immune system recognises as foreign or potentially dangerous. The presence of an antigen stimulates the production of one or more antibodies that bind to and neutralise the antigen so it can be removed from the body.
- Belching
Belching (or burping) refers to releasing gas from the upper digestive system through the mouth. Bloating due to trapped gas is often relieved somewhat by belching.
- Bloating
Although many people use the term bloating to mean they feel full, this term describes a swelling of the abdomen or stomach, causing an uncomfortable and sometimes painful experience for the bloating sufferer. Bloating is often accompanied by gas or flatulence, and sometimes by constipation. For more information, see What causes bloating?
- Bowel
Bowel is another term for the human intestines. From the stomach, food passes through a canal of about 25 feet of small intestine where the majority of digestion and absorption occurs, before passing into the large intestine where water is absorbed and microbes salvage certain nutrients from the waste left over from food before it’s excreted through the rectum and anus.
- Candida
Candida is a genus of yeast in the fungi kingdom. There are many different species of Candida some of which are harmless and found living in the human GIT alongside other microbes. Given the chance to over-populate however, some species particularly Candida albicans, can cause infections (such as oral or vaginal thrush) and/or a range of digestive issues including bloating, flatulence, diarrhoea and problems with nutrient absorption. Headaches, fatigue, muscle weakness and skin conditions can also be associated with systemic Candida overgrowth.
- Carbohydrate
Carbohydrates or saccharides are sugars. Carbohydrate rich foods are good sources of energy for human metabolism. Glucose is a monosaccharide – it’s made up of just one sugar unit; sucrose (table sugar) and lactose (milk sugar) are disaccharides containing two sugar units; oiliogosaccharides have two to ten units while polysaccharides (complex carbohydrates) are storage forms (starch) containing many sugar units. Our digestive system has to break apart di, oligo and poly saccharides into individual monosaccharides before we can use them for energy. Bacterial fermentation of carbohydrates in the bowel contributes to bloating, distension, flatulence and cramps.
- Carminative
A carminative is a herb or compound that helps prevent the formation or promote the elimination of gas from within the digestive system. Carminatives help manage bloating, flatulence, belching and indigestion.
- Chronic
Chronic is a term describing a long-lasting or frequently reoccurring condition, symptom, etc.
- Clostridium difficile
Clostridium Difficile (often abbreviated to C.Diff) is a bacteria which resides in the large intestine. A C.Diff infection can often occur after completing an antibiotic course, which causes severe diarrhoea and/or flu-like symptoms, and should always be taken seriously.
- Coeliac disease
Coeliac disease (or US spelling celiac) is a hereditary autoimmune disorder of the small intestine – a gluten allergy. The presence of gliadin found in gluten containing grains, triggers an inflammatory reaction that damages the lining of the intestines where nutrient absorption occurs. Major symptoms include chronic diarrhoea, bloating, abdominal distress and fatigue.
- Constipation
Constipation is usually defined as less than 3 bowel movements a week. People suffering from constipation can often find passing stool particularly difficult and can lead to , or be a symptom of, other digestive problems.
- Contraindications
These are statements which notify the patient or user of circumstances in which the medicine should not be taken. For example contraindications on common medications often include; pregnant or breastfeeding women, or individuals with high blood pressure.
- Crohn's disease
Crohn’s disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Generally referred to as an autoimmune condition where chronic inflammation and ulceration affects any part of the gastrointestinal tract causes a range of digestive and systemic symptoms.
- Defecation
Defecation refers to the final stage of the digestive process where waste material (stools or feces) is expelled from the body via the anus.
- Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is particularly loose or watery stool which is accompanied by an increase in bowel movements, upwards from 3 or 4 times daily. Diarrhoea, if left unmanaged and untreated, can cause dehydration and a loss of electrolytes and other important minerals.
- Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis is a common digestive disorder in which pockets form on the outside wall of the bowel, particularly the large intestine. Waste, toxins and microbes can become lodged in these pockets contributing to disease. Constipation and a low fibre diet are particularly associated with the development of diverticulitis.
- Dysbiosis
Dysbiosis is an imbalance of pathogenic and ‘friendly’ bacteria in the body, usually within the digestive system and often triggered by antibiotics. This imbalance can lead to various digestive problems and symptoms.
- Fermentation
Fermentation refers to the process of converting complex organic compounds; often sugars, into relatively simpler substances. Within the gastrointestinal tract, microbial fermentation of ingested sugars can contribute to bloating and other gastrointestinal complaints.
- Fibre
Fibre is a food type which is not easily broken down by the digestive system, and which therefore passes through much of the digestive system largely unchanged. Fibre is essential to the body's healthy digestion, and is absolutely necessary for regular bowel movements. A high fibre diet has been linked to a reduced risk of bowel cancer, and to fewer digestive health issues like bloating. Fibre can be found in fruit and vegetables, beans and pulses, wholegrain bread and brown rice, amongst others. For more read Does fibre cause bloating?
- Flatulence
A normal by-product of the digestive process, flatulence refers to the expulsion of gases (flatus) produced by bacterial activity in the bowel, through the rectum.
- Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis refers to inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, causing diarrhoea, bloating, vomiting, abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal systems. Viral, bacterial or parasitic infections are common causes of gastroenteritis.
- Gluten
Gluten is a type of protein (a mixture of gliadin and glutenin) found in some cereal grains – wheat, rye, oats and barley. Gluten gives elasticity and a chewy texture to processed grain products like bread but some people find it particularly hard to digest.
- GORD
Short for gastroesophageal reflux disease, GORD refers to chronic irritation or damage to the oesophageal lining, caused by the stomach’s contents leaking back into the oesophagus, most often due to an abnormal relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter or a hiatus hernia.
- Gullet
The gullet, or oesophagus is the tube connecting the mouth (or pharynx) to the stomach. The transit of food down the gullet is aided by muscle contractions, or peristalsis.
- Gut flora
The terms gut flora or intestinal flora refer to the trillions of microbes which inhabit the human gastrointestinal tract. Problems or imbalances in the gut flora are often associated with bloating and other gastrointestinal complaints.
- Haemorrhoids
Haemorrhoids (also known as piles) are swollen veins within or protruding from the anal canal or rectum. Caused by excessive straining during bowel movements (often due to constipation), symptoms include pain, itching, irritated and blood in the stools.
- Histamine
Histamine is a naturally occurring compound involved in triggering inflammatory pathways. Histamine is also a neurotransmitter involved in regulating numerous functions.
- Homeostasis
Homeostasis refers to the coordination of the body’s many systems to maintain and regulate a stable internal environment (affected by temperature, pH, etc) in which the body can function optimally.
- Hormones
Hormones are chemical messengers release by cells or glands which alter the metabolism or behaviour of cells in other parts of the body.
- Hypoallergenic
Hypoallergenic refers to a limited or decreased tendency to trigger allergic reactions. Many of those with food allergies or intolerances do well on a diet of hypoallergenic foods.
- Immune
The immune (or immunological) system refers to the multiple structures and processes the body uses to protect against disease or damage from pathogens.
- Indigestion
Indigestion (or dyspepsia) generally describes pain or discomfort in the chest or abdomen, that usually develops during or shortly after eating or drinking.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease - IBD
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease; two autoimmune conditions which affect the gastrointestinal tract, causing abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea and other digestive symptoms.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome - IBS
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a functional gastrointestinal disorder which tends to present itself as a mixture of digestive health issues including bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, flatulence, abdominal pain and various other symptoms. Often IBS sufferers will experience alternating periods of two these issues, for example alternating between constipation and diarrhoea, which is known as “IBS-A”. For more on Irritable Bowel Syndrome read this article here.
- Laxative
A laxative is an agent that helps encourage defecation. Foods, compounds or drugs with a laxative effect can be used to help manage constipation by bulking, softening or lubricating the stool; or stimulating the muscles in the bowel.
- Leaky gut syndrome
The mucus membrane lining the gastrointestinal tract is designed to allow the passage of nutrients from digested food into the blood stream, while preventing the passage of undigested food, toxins, microbes, etc. Leaky gut syndrome or ‘intestinal hyper-permeability’ refers to a loss of normal intestinal barrier function where the tight junctions responsible for holding together the cells lining the intestines fail, allowing substances that would otherwise pass through the GIT to enter the blood stream. In addition to digestive upset, many negative consequences are linked with this unwanted passage into the circulation; particularly inflammatory disorders including allergies, asthma, arthritis, IBD and other autoimmune conditions.
- Lumen
In biology the lumen refers to the space inside a cylindrical tube - inside the gastrointestinal tract is known as the gastrointestinal lumen.
- Malabsorption
Malabsorption refers to an inability to fully absorb the nutrients from food.
- Microbes
Microbes are microscopic organisms such as bacteria, fungus and viruses.
- Microvilli
Microvilli are microscopic hair-like protrusions on the tips of cells, that in the digestive system play an important role in the secretion of degestive enzymes and absorption of properly digested nutrients. Malabsorption problems can develop when these structures are damaged, like with Coeliac disease.
- Mucosa
Also known as the mucous membrane, the mucosa refers to the moist, mucus secreting, internal lining of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Nausea
Nausea is an uncomfortable or unsettled sensation in the abdomen, that can be associated with an urge to vomit. This feeling can have a variety of causes including overindulgence, indigestion, infection, motion sickness, even psychological factors.
- Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are endogenous chemicals involved in transmitting signals across synapses between neurons within the nervous system.
- Oesophagus
The oesophagus is the passage connecting the mouth and pharynx to the stomach.
- Pathogen
A pathogen is any agent that causes disease; often a living organism (bacteria, virus, etc). Pathogenic or non-pathogenic refers to the virulence of an agent or its ability to cause disease. E.g. Lactobacillus acidophilus is a non-pathogenic bacterium while Helicobacter pylori is a pathogenic bacterium.
- Peristalsis
Peristalsis refers to the wave-like contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle. In the digestive system these organised contractions propel ingested food through the GIT. This passage through the GIT is very important; poor digestion occurs when food moves too quickly while food moving too slowly allows deposits of undigested food to ferment leading to problems such as bloating. Without sufficient bulk (often due to a low fibre diet), normal peristalsis struggles to move the entire contents of the GIT along.
- Placebo
A placebo is an ineffectual treatment for a condition or symptom, generally used in trials as a control to help determine how effective an actual treatment is. Recipients often don't know whether they have recieved a real treatment or placebo.
- Prebiotic
A prebiotic is a fibrous food source for your body's probiotics. Prebiotics are indigestible in the body - ie. they cannot be broken down in the stomach, and by nature prebiotics do not feed pathogens in the body (unlike sugars, which pathogens feed on). Instead, prebiotics selectively stimulate the growth of probiotics (such as acidophilus). Prebiotics can be found in certain foods like garlic, onion, and Jerusalem artichoke.
- Probiotic
A probiotic is a microorganism deemed beneficial to the human body. Often known as your 'friendly' or 'good' bacteria, probiotics are natural residents in the body, but can also be found in certain foods such as yoghurt, miso or sauerkraut, or they can be taken as supplements. Probiotics are similar to, but not the same as, prebiotics.
- Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth - SIBO
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) refers to the presence of abnormally high numbers of pathogenic bacteria within the small intestine. The majority of bacteria that make up the gut flora are normally found within the large intestine. Symptoms associated with SIBO include bloating, vomiting, indigestion and diarrhoea.
- Stool
Stool is another term for feces or human excrement – the waste material left over from the process of digestion. During defecation, stools are eliminated from the body via the anus.
- Thorax
Thorax is the Latin and anatomical word describing the chest, or upper part of the body containing all of the vital organs, such the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver and the entire digestive system.
- Triphala
Triphala is an Indian Ayuverdic herbal formula which literally translates into English as 'three fruits'. The formula is made up of three fruit bearing plants; Harada, Amla and Bihara; which when taken together are thought to be beneficial in supporting digestive health - both in acting as a mild laxative and in cleansing the digestive system in cases of issues such as bloating.
- Trophic
Trophic is a term for a nutritive or biologically enhancing effect.
- Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative Colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), where chronic inflammation and ulceration affects the lining of the rectum and colon, causing a range of digestive and systemic symptoms.