Definitions of Important Terms

ACUTE GASTRITIS-Acute gastritis is a sudden inflammation or swelling in the lining of the

stomach that causes severe and nagging pain. However, the pain is temporary and usually
lasts for short bursts at a time. (Healthline, 2019)
CHRONIC GASTRITIS- is a long-term condition in which the mucus lined layer of the
stomach, also known as the gastric mucosa, is inflamed or irritated over a longer period of
time. Symptoms tend to appear slowly, over time. (Ada, 2020)
EROSIVE GASTRITIS-is gastric mucosal erosion caused by damage to mucosal defenses. It
is typically acute, manifesting with bleeding, but may be subacute or chronic with few or no
symptoms. Diagnosis is by endoscopy. Treatment is supportive, with removal of the
inciting cause and initiation of acid-suppressant therapy. (MSD Manuals, 2021)
ESOPHAGUS-is the muscular tube that carries food and liquids from your mouth to the
stomach. You may not be aware of your esophagus until you swallow something too large,
too hot, or too cold. You may also notice it when something is wrong. You may feel pain or
have trouble swallowing.(Medline, 2020)
DIGESTIVE ULCER- is a round or oval sore where the lining of the stomach or duodenum
has been eaten away by stomach acid and digestive juices. (MSD Manuals, 2021)
DYSPHAGIA-difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) means it takes more time and effort to
move food or liquid from your mouth to your stomach. Dysphagia may also be associated
with pain. In some cases, swallowing may be impossible. (MayoClinic, 2019)
DYSPLASIA-is a proliferative lesion that is characterized by a loss in the uniformity of
individual cells in a tissue and loss in the architectural orientation of the cells in a tissue.
(Essential Concepts in Molecular Pathology, Second Edition, 2020)
ESOPHAGOGASTRIC JUNCTION-is a muscle, not a mucosal, junction. The boundary of the
esophagus is at the upper esophageal sphincter and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) at
the oral and anal ends, respectively. The distal end of the LES is the esophagogastric
junction. (PubMed, 2015)
GASTRITIS- is an inflammation, irritation, or erosion of the lining of the stomach. (WebMD,
2020)
GASTRIC CANCER- is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lining of the
stomach. Age, diet, and stomach disease can affect the risk of developing gastric cancer.
Symptoms of gastric cancer include indigestion and stomach discomfort or pain.
(Cancer.Gov, 2021)
GERD- (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or chronic acid reflux) is a condition in which
acid-containing contents in your stomach persistently leak back up into your esophagus,
the tube from your throat to your stomach. (Cleveland Clinic, 2021)
GASTRIC MUCUS MEMBRANE- is the inner surface of the stomach is lined by a mucous
membrane known as the gastric mucosa. The mucosa is always covered by a layer of thick
mucus that is secreted by tall columnar epithelial cells. (Britannica, 2016)
HELICOBACTER PYLORI- (H. pylori) is a gram-negative bacterium that causes chronic
inflammation and is contagious. These bacteria are sometimes termed "ulcer bacteria."
(Medicinenet, 2021)
NAUSEA-is an uneasiness of the stomach that often comes before vomiting. Vomiting is the
forcible voluntary or involuntary emptying ("throwing up") of stomach contents through
the mouth. (WebMD, 2020)
PREHYPERTENSION- is defined as a systolic pressure from 120–139 millimeters of
mercury (mm Hg) or a diastolic pressure from 80–89 mm Hg. Because blood pressure
changes often, your health care provider will check it on several different days before
deciding whether your blood pressure is too high. ( Kidney.org, 2014)
PYROSIS-A technical term for what is popularly called heartburn, a burning sensation in
the upper abdomen. In many languages there is a technical term such as pyrosis and a
popular term for the same phenomenon. (Rxlist, 2021)
REGURGITATION-happens when a mixture of gastric juices, and sometimes undigested
food, rises back up the esophagus and into the mouth. (Healthline, 2019)
STOMACH-is a muscular organ located on the left side of the upper abdomen. The stomach
receives food from the esophagus. As food reaches the end of the esophagus, it enters the
stomach through a muscular valve called the lower esophageal sphincter. (WebMD, 2020)
STOMACH ACID-or gastric acid, is a watery, colorless fluid that’s produced by your
stomach’s lining. (Healthline, 2019)