Abdomen

Often called the belly;section of the body between the chest (thorax) and pelvis. Contains many parts of the digestive tract (e.g., stomach, small intestine, and large bowel [also known as the colon]).

Anorexia

Lack or loss of the appetite for food. Not to be confused with AnorexiaNervosa –a clinically diagnosable eating disorder.

Antispasmodic Drugs

Suppress the contractions of smooth muscle in the intestines.

Belching/eructation (burping)

Voiding of gas through the mouth.

Bloating

Feeling of abdominal distension or fullness. Feeling as if one’s belly is swollen.

Chronic

Persisting or recurring over a long period.

Colic (cramps)

Acute, sharp abdominal pain that comes and goes

Colon

The large intestine/large bowel. The colon is located between the small bowel and extends to the rectum.

Dyspepsia

Persistent or recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort centred in the upper abdomen.

Dysphagia

Sensation of food or liquid sticking to the oesophagus (muscular tube connecting mouth to your stomach).

Early satiety

A feeling that the stomach is over-filled soon after starting to eat.

Flatus/flatulence (farting)

Expulsion of gas through the anus.

Functional disorder

A disorder of brain-gut interaction (DBGI). Any condition in which an organ or part of the body does not work the way it is supposed to, in the absence of blockage, inflammation or cancer.

Globus

The sensation of a lump in the throat.

Halitosis

A foul (unpleasant) odour from the mouth.

Heartburn

A burning feeling in the lower chest.

Incontinence, faecal

Leakage of stool (faecal soiling).

Nausea

A sensation of needing to vomit.

Motility

Contractions of the muscle of the digestive tract and movement of its contents.

Odynophagia

Pain in the chest as food or drink passes through the oesophagus.

Reflux

Reflux is caused by the presence of stomach acid into the oesophagus resulting in the feeling of heartburn in the throat and upper gastrointestinal area.

Regurgitation

Return of stomach contents into the throat or mouth.

Vomiting

Ejection of matter from the stomach through the mouth.