Medical dictionary

What is anorectal manometry? Anorectal manometry is a test that evaluates the pressure of the anal sphincter and the reactivity of the lower tract of the large intestine (also known as posterior rectal wall). Thus, this test is essentially testing how well the anal sphincter and rectum are working together. It is quite helpful in the following cases: As a diagnostic exam for some large

How is anxiety defined?Anxiety disorder differs from simply feeling anxious, which is a normal response to a stressful situation, like making an important decision, or taking an exam. When anxiety becomes a medical problem, known as anxiety disorder, it can affect people at any time, causing constant fear and worry, often for intangible reasons, and can often make it difficult to ca

Index: What is ascites?  What are the types of ascites?  What causes ascites?  Who is at risk of developing ascites?  What are the symptoms of ascites?   Which specialist treats ascites?  How is ascites diagnosed?  How is ascites treated?  Can ascites be prevented?    What is the prognosis?  What are potential co

What is autoimmune hepatitis?   Autoimmune hepatitis, sometimes abbreviated to AIH, is a chronic condition that affects the liver. As it is autoimmune, the patient's immune system attacks its own cells because the body's immune system recognises the liver cells as foreign and starts to attack them, damaging this vital organ. In the UK, autoimmune hepatitis is not commo

What is a balloon enteroscopy? A balloon enteroscopy is a procedure that allows doctors to both diagnose and treat certain problems in the digestive system. A thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end is inserted into the body, either through the mouth or the rectum depending on which part of the digestive tract is being investigated or treated. The endoscope has either one or two balloons a

What is Barrett's oesophagus?Barrett's oesophagus (spelt “Barrett’s esophagus” in the US) is a condition in which the tissue that lines the bottom of the oesophagus undergoes a change, usually in response to acid reflux from the stomach. It is a relatively common complication of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).Normally, the oesophagus is lined with squamous epithelial

What is biofeedback?   Biofeedback is based on the idea that by becoming more aware of your body and the processes going on within it, you can actually control some of those processes. It involves using instruments that provide information on the various systems in your body, such as EMGs, thermometers and electroencephalographs to teach the patient how to control such things as their b

What is a biopsy?A biopsy is the removal of tissue from an area of the body. There are different types of biopsies:Percutaneous puncture biopsy – tissue is removed with a very fine needle. The specialist is guided by an x-ray or CT scanOpen biopsy – this is carried out during surgery in which local or general anaesthesia is used.Laparoscopic biopsy - very small incisions are made and then, using a

What is a bloated stomach?A bloated stomach is when the tummy is stretched and puffy, leaving a person feeling uncomfortable. The most common cause of a bloated stomach is gas and air, as gas builds up in the digestive tract when undigested food gets broken down, or from swallowing too much air when eating too fast. For some people, it can be from overindulging but for others, there could be an un