Glossary

Gallbladder: A saclike organ located just underneath the liver, the gallbladder serves as a storage location for bile that the liver produces.
Gastric Tube (GT or G-Tube): A tube that has been surgically inserted through the skin into the stomach so that liquid food may be pumped directly into the stomach bypassing the esophagus.
Gastritis: Inflammation of the stomach.
Gastroenterologist: A physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the digestive system, also including disorders of the liver and pancreas.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): A disease in which acid reflux and heartburn occur frequently over an extended period of time.
Gastrointestinal Tract (GI Tract): Also called the digestive system.
Gastrojejunostomy Tube (GJ or GJ-Tube): A tube that is surgically inserted through the skin into the stomach and runs to the small intestine. This is done so that liquid food may be pumped directly into the small intestine, bypassing the esophagus and stomach.
Gastroparesis: Abnormally slow emptying of the contents of the stomach.
GC: See Glucocorticoids.
GERD: See Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
GI: Acronym for gastrointestinal.
GI Tract: See Gastrointestinal Tract.
Glucocorticoid: A hormone molecule with anti-inflammatory effects.
Glucocorticoids: Corticosteroids that are widely used to treat inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Gluten: A type of protein found in wheat, rye, barley and possibly oats. People with gluten sensitivity, gluten intolerance, and Celiac Disease have an adverse reaction when they eat foods that contain gluten.
Gluten Intolerance: A physical reaction due to ingesting gluten. This condition differs from Celiac Disease in the fact that the individual does not have an identifiable immune reaction to gluten, nor do they have a true autoimmune disease. Gluten-intolerant individuals do not have the same long-term risks (such as cancers, anemia and osteoporosis) with exposure to gluten that individuals with Celiac Disease do.