Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

gastric cancer
See 
cancer, gastric.
gastric emptying study
A test that evaluates the
process of emptying food from the stomach. For a
gastric emptying study, a patient eats a meal in
which the food or beverage is mixed with a small
amount of radioactive material. A scanner that acts
like a Geiger counter is placed over the stomach to
monitor the amount of radioactivity in the stomach
for several hours after the test meal. In patients with
abnormal emptying of the stomach, the food and
radioactive material stay in the stomach longer than
normal (usually for hours) before emptying into the
small intestine.
gastric ulcer
A hole in the lining of the stomach
that is caused by the acidic digestive juices secreted
by the stomach cells. Ulcer formation is related to
infection with H. pylori bacteria in the stomach, the
use of anti-inflammatory medications, and cigarette
smoking. Ulcer pain may not correlate with the
presence or severity of ulceration. Diagnosis is
made via barium X-ray endoscopy. See also
Helicobacter pylori.
gastritis
Inflammation of the stomach.
gastroenteritis
Inflammation of the stomach
and the intestines. Gastroenteritis can cause nausea,
vomiting, and diarrhea. Gastroenteritis has numer-
ous causes, including infections (viruses, bacteria,
and parasites), food poisoning, and stress.
gastroenterologist
A physician who specializes
in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the
digestive system.
gastroesophageal reflux disease
A condition in
which the stomach contents return back up into the
esophagus. Abbreviated GERD. GERD frequently
causes heartburn because of irritation of the esopha-
gus by stomach acid. GERD can lead to scarring and
stricture of the esophagus, which requires stretching
(dilating) of the esophagus. Ten percent of patients
with GERD develop Barrett esophagus, which
increases the risk of cancer of the esophagus. Eighty