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I GlossaryA | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | MN | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z I IBD - See inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBS - See irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). ileal - Related to the ileum, the lowest end of the small intestine. ileitis - See Crohn's Disease. ileocolitis - Irritation of the lower part of the small intestine (ileum) and colon. ileostomy - An operation that makes it possible for stool to leave the body after the colon and rectum are removed in which an opening is made in the abdomen and the bottom of the small intestine (ileum) attaches to it. ileum - The lower end of the small intestine. immune system - A collection of cells and proteins that works to protect the body from potentially harmful, infectious microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. immune system - Complex network of specialized cells and organs that work together to defend the body against attacks by "foreign" invaders such as bacteria and viruses; in some rheumatic conditions, it appears that the immune system does not function properly and may even work against the body. immunoglobulin E (IgE) - A type of antibody, formed to protect the body from infection, which attaches to mast cells in the respiratory and intestinal tracts and may cause allergic rhinitis, asthma, or eczema. immunoglobulins - Antibodies or proteins found in blood and tissue fluids produced by cells of the immune system to bind to substances in the body that are recognized as foreign antigens. Immunoglobulins sometimes bind to antigens that are not necessarily a threat to health and provoke an allergic reaction. immunology - The branch of biomedicine concerned with the structure and function of the immune system, innate and acquired immunity, the bodily distinction of self from nonself, and laboratory techniques involving the interaction of antigens with specific antibodies. immunosuppresive medications - Medications that suppress the body's immune system, used to minimize rejection of transplanted organs. immunotherapy - Treatment of allergy to substances such as pollens, house dust mites, fungi, and stinging insect venom involving giving gradually increasing doses of the substance, or allergen, to which the person is allergic. impaction - The trapping of an object in a body passage, such as stones in the bile duct or hardened stool in the colon. impedance plethysmography - A test to evaluate blood flow through the leg. impotence - Not being able to have or keep an erection. in vitro - Procedure done in test tube. in vivo - Procedure that uses trace amounts of radiopharmaceutical that are given directly to a patient; majority of nuclear medicine procedures are in vivo. incidence – Statistic that equals the number of new cases of a particular disease that occur in a population during a defined period of time, usually one year. incontinence - Inability to hold a bowel movement or urine. indigestion - Poor digestion - symptoms include heartburn, nausea, bloating, and gas. Also called dyspepsia. inferior vena cava - The large blood vessel (vein) that returns blood from the legs and abdomen to the heart. infertility - The state of being unable to produce offspring. inflammation - Redness, swelling, heat, and pain in a tissue due to chemical or physical injury, infection, or allergic reactions in the nose, lungs, and skin. inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) - Long-lasting problems that cause irritation and ulcers in the GI tract - The most common disorders are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. infusion therapy – The introduction of fluid other than blood into a vein. (Also called intravenous therapy.) inguinal hernia - A small part of the large or small intestine or bladder that pushes into the groin and may cause pain and feelings of pressure or burning in the groin. Often requires surgery. inotropic medications - Medications that increase strength of the contractions in the heart. internist- An advanced student or graduate in medicine gaining supervised practical experience. intestinal flora - The bacteria, yeasts, and fungi that grow normally in the intestines. intestinal mucosa - The surface lining of the intestines where the cells absorb nutrients. intestines - See large intestine and small intestine. Also called gut. intolerance - Allergy to a food, drug, or other substance. intrauterine insemination - Treatment for infertility in which semen is introduced into the uterus via a slim tube inserted through the vagina. intravascular echocardiography - Echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. intrinsic asthma -Asthma that has no apparent external cause. investigational new drug - A drug allowed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used in clinical trials, but not approved for sale to the general public. iron overload disease - See hemochromatosis. irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - A disorder in which the nerves that control the muscles in the GI tract are too active causing it to become sensitive to food, stool, gas, and stress. Causes abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation or diarrhea. Also called spastic colon or mucous colitis. ischemia - Decreased flow of oxygenated blood to an organ due to obstruction in an artery. ischemic colitis - Decreased blood flow to the colon, which causes fever, pain, and bloody diarrhea. ischemic heart disease - Coronary artery disease or coronary heart disease caused by narrowing of the coronary arteries and decreased blood flow to the heart. |
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