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KEY TERMS

A

Acid reflux; heartburn

Acid production is a normal part of digestion in the stomach. Stomach acid abnormally traveling up into and irritating the esophagus is acid reflux. Heartburn refers to the painful burning sensation in the center of the chest caused by acid reflux.

Analgesic

An analgesic, also known as a painkiller, is a medication that reduces or eliminates pain. Examples of analgesics include aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Antacid

An antacid is an agent that neutralizes excess stomach acid. Antacids may come in liquid or tablet form and act immediately in the stomach. Long-acting antacid medications can be taken regularly and absorbed into the blood to suppress acid production.

Antibiotic

An antibiotic is a type of antimicrobial substance used to treat infections. Each antibiotic kills or inhibits the growth of specific microorganisms. Thus, antibiotics are prescribed based on the type of infection present.

Arthralgia

Arthralgia is pain in a joint.

Autoimmune

Autoimmune diseases and antibodies attack the body’s own tissues.
B

Biofeedback

Biofeedback is a technique for regulating a body function that is usually involuntarily controlled (ex. finger temperature or pulse rate). A person can practice relaxation techniques and learn to control the function by observing a machine that monitors the function. Later, the machine becomes unnecessary. However, the benefits of this technique have not been proved.

Biopsy

A biopsy is a medical test commonly performed by surgeons, interventional radiologists, or interventional cardiologists. A sample of tissue, cells, or fluids is removed and examined to determine the presence or extent of a disease.

Blanched

To become blanched is to become white or pale. In Raynaud’s Phenomenon, the affected area blanches due to insufficient blood circulation.
C

Calcinosis

Calcinosis is a condition in which abnormal calcium deposits occur in the skin

Capillaries

Connecting arteries and veins, capillaries are the smallest blood vessels of the body.

Collagen

Scleroderma is characterized by an overproduction of collagen, which is a normal, fibrous protein found in the connective tissue of the body.

Connective Tissue

Connective tissue pervades, supports, and binds together other tissues, including mucous, fibrous, reticular, adipose, cartilage, skin, and bone. Connective tissue diseases are a group of disease that involve similar cellular changes; the specific disease is determined by the location at which the changes occur. Some examples are scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Constrict; stricture

An abnormal narrowing of vessels is constriction. An abnormal narrowing of the esophagus is stricture.

Contraction (of intestinal muscles)

Also known as peristalsis, contraction of the intestinal muscles is the rhythmic squeezing action of the muscles of the wall of the intestine. This rhythmic contraction moves food through the system.

Coronary arteries

The coronary arteries are the major blood vessels that supply blood to the heart.

CREST

CREST is an acronym for what is now known as limited cutaneous systemic scleroderma. The initials stand for Calcinosis, Raynaud’s Phenomenon, Esophageal dysfunction/dysmotility, Sclerodactyly, and Telangiectasia.

Cutaneous

The word cutaneous means “of the skin.”

Cyanosis

Cyanosis is a blue or purple color of the skin due to lack of blood oxygen. In Raynaud’s Phenomenon, cyanosis of the affected area may follow blanching.
D

Digits

The term digits refers to the fingers or toes.

Dilate (esophagus, blood vessels).

To dilate is to widen or to enlarge.

Diuretic

Also known as “water pills,” diuretics are medicines that increase the urine flow, thereby leading to decreased fluid retention in the tissues.

Dysfunction, disfunction

Dysfunction (also spelled “disfunction”), means impaired or abnormal functioning.

Dysphagia

A person with dysphagia has difficulty in swallowing

Dysmotility

Dysmotility describes the condition in which the muscles of the digestive system or gastrointestinal tract do not work properly.
E

Edema

Edema is swelling caused by an abnormal excess accumulation of fluid in body tissues or cavities.

En coup de sabre

En coup de sabre is a form of localized scleroderma, in which a long crease of waxy skin forms (typically) on the face or neck. The name comes from the resemblance to a cut by a saber (sword).

Esophagus, esophagitis

The esophagus connects the mouth to the stomach. The muscular tube, when properly functioning, contracts in smooth waves to move food to the stomach. A sphincter (ring-like muscle) at the lower esophagus opens to allow food to enter the stomach. Afterwards, the sphincter promptly closes to prevent stomach acid or partially digested food from entering the esophagus. Esophagitis is the inflammation or irritation of the esophagus.
F
G

Gastrointestinal tract, bowel, diarrhea, constipation

The gastrointestinal tract is the digestive system. It breaks down food, allows absorption of nutrients, removal of cellular waste products, and elimination of solid waste from the body. Beginning with the mouth and esophagus, the gastrointestinal tract leads to the stomach, then the small intestine. The small intestine consists of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Lastly, the large intestine, also known as the colon, leads to the rectum. The term “bowel” refers to the intestine. The anal sphincter is a muscle that controls discharge of stool. Diarrhea refers to the abnormally frequent or excessive passing of stool, typically in a watery state. Constipation refers to the abnormally infrequent or delayed passage of stool, typically in a dry and hardened state. Normal bowel movements vary with diet and from person to person.
H
I

Immune system

The immune system is the system of organs, cells, and proteins and produces immune responses, protecting the body from foreign substances. Organs include the thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, and bone marrow. Cells include white cells, lymphocytes, T cells, and B cells. Immunoglobulins, also known as antibodies, are proteins that react with and/or neutralize corresponding proteins called antigens. Usually, the antigens are damaged or foreign material. The immune system protects and helps the body, but can be the cause of disease/allergy if it attacks parts of the normal body in a process known as autoimmunity.

Inflammation, anti-inflammatory

Characterized by redness, heat, pain, swelling, and often loss of function, inflammation is the tissue reaction to cell injury. Normally, inflammation is part of the natural healing process because capillary dilation and white blood cell infiltration help eliminate foreign substances and damaged tissue. However, further damage can result from excessive or inappropriate inflammation. Anti-inflammatory drugs are used to counteract inflammation.
J

Joint contracture, flexion contracture

Joint contracture is the fixation of a joint in one position, preventing full range of motion. Scleroderma patients frequently experience joint contraction in the fingers, due to tightened and hardened skin around the joint. In flexion contractures, the fingers are fixed in a bent or flexed position.
L

Lacrimal glands

Also spelled “lachrymal,” these glands are responsible for producing tears.

Laxative

Laxatives are medications that stimulate the emptying of the bowels.

Lubrication, secretion

Lubrications are substances that make a surface slippery or oily. This can be done either artificially through the application of lubricating fluids or naturally through the secretion of fluids by cells. One example of such a secretion is tears.
M

Malabsorption

The condition in which the patient has a reduced ability to take nutrients from food into the cells of the body from the digestive tract is called malabsorption.

Microstomia

Patients with microstomia have an abnormally small mouth opening.

Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

In mixed connective tissue disease, there is an overlap or or presence of the symptoms of two or more diseases at the same time.

Morphea

Morphea is a form of localized scleroderma.

Motility

Gastrointestinal motility refers to the rhythmic waves of contractions of the digestive-tract muscles. This process propels the food forward, allowing absorption of nutrients and elimination of wastes (feces). Weakened or absent waves of contraction results in dysmotility (see Dysmotility).
O

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy (OT), often designed to increase the ability to perform daily actions, involves using activity prescribed to promote recovery or rehabilitation. Such daily actions may include grooming and eating. The therapy often focuses on the hands and small muscle control.

Ophthalmic

Ophthalmic refers to being related to or situated near the eye.
P

Pericarditis

Pericarditis is the condition in which there is tissue inflammation of the sac that encloses the heart.

Phenomenon

A phenomenon is an unusual, significant, or inexplicable fact or occurrence that, when observed, is of scientific interest.

Physical Therapy (PT)

Physical therapy is the treatment of disease or injury with mechanical means such as massage, water, light, regulated exercises, or electricity. Typically, physical therapy is used for joint motion, large muscle groups, and activities such as walking and aerobic and isometric exercise.

Pleurisy

Pleurisy is the condition of tissue inflammation of the sac that encloses the lungs.

Prognosis

The prognosis of a disease the prediction of its progression and end result, or the estimate of the patient’s chance of recovery.

Pulmonary Fibrosis

Also called restrictive lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis is a process in which the lungs are scarred, thus decreasing oxygen transfer to the blood.

Pulmonary Hypertension

Patients with pulmonary hypertension have elevated blood pressure in the vessels of the lungs, leading to decreased blood oxygen and straining the right side of the heart.
R

Raynaud’s Phenomenon

Also known as Raynaud’s Syndrome, Raynaud’s Phenomenon is a disorder characterized by recurring spasms of the small blood vessels upon exposure to cold or emotional stress. In a Raynaud’s attack, the affected area (typically the fingers or toes) turn white, blue, and then red as circulation abnormally overreacts to normal conditions. This condition was named after Dr. Maurice Raynaud, the French physician who first described it.

Relaxation Techniques

Relaxation techniques include tensing and relaxing muscles, breathing techniques, imagery, and medication. These stress-reducing procedures can also be used to help regulate body functions such as finger temperature and pulse rate. One such example is Biofeedback (see Biofeedback).

Remission, Spontaneous Remission

Remission describes a period in which the symptoms of a disease go away or lessen. If remission seems to occur for no reason (ex. not due to treatment), it is called spontaneous remission.

Renal

Renal means of or related to the kidneys.

Respiratory

Respiratory means pertaining to breathing or the lungs.
S

Salivary Glands

The salivary glands secrete fluid (saliva) through a system of ducts.

Sclerodactyly

Sclerodactyly is the localized thickening and tightening of the skin on the fingers and toes.

Sclerosis

Sclerosis is the abnormal hardening of tissue.

Sjögren’s Syndrome

Sjögren’s Syndrome, characterized by decreased secretions, is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes dry eyes and a dry mouth. This disease, named after the Swedish physician who first described it, may occur alone or as a part of other autoimmune diseases (including scleroderma).

Skin Ulceration

A skin ulcer is a break in the skin where surface tissue is lost. Ulceration is also associated with infection, calcium deposits, and inflammation.

Spasm

A spasm is an involuntary, abnormal muscle contraction.

Stasis

Stasis refers to the slowing or stoping of body fluids (ex. venous stasis). Stasis may also refer to reduced intestine motility with retention of feces.

Systemic

The opposite of localized, systemic means affecting the whole body, rather than only one of its parts.
T
V

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