Glossary

AMT tube - a brand of low-profile feeding tube 

ascending colon - the second part of the colon that goes "up" on the left side of the abdomen

autonomic nervous system - the body system that controls everything that happens in the body without you thinking about it (heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, temperature regulation, etc.)

Broviac - a form of tunnelled central line very similar to a Hickman line, but smaller and intended for pediatric patients. 

BPM - (typically heart) beats per minute

C-tube - a tube leading into the cecum used by some to flush out the colon and relieve constipation

cecum - a small pouch connecting the small and large intestine

central line - a line leading directly into the bloodstream, coming with a lot of associated infection and upkeep risks

chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) - a severe motility disorder where the intestines move as if there is an obstruction, but there isn't one

descending colon - the third part of the large intestine, running "down" on the right side of the abdomen

digestive tract paralysis (DTP) - a condition where the natural movement of the intestine is severely impaired to the point of near or total paralysis

duodenum - the first part of the small intestine (what the stomach empties into)

dysautonomia - a group of disorders of the autonomic nervous system that can lead to many issues such as central sleep apnea, dysmotility, heart rate and blood pressure dysregulation, etc. 

dysmotility - when something is wrong with the natural movement of food, water, and/or air through the GI system

EDS - the Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes are a group of genetic connective tissue disorders that impact collagen. In someone with EDS collagen is imperfect, potentially leading to a whole host of associated medical issues

enteral feeding - nutrition received through a feeding tube

feeding intolerance - when, for whatever reason, someone does not tolerate enteral feeding. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pain, etc. 

G-tube - a type of feeding tube leading directly into the stomach, typically used to either deliver feeds and medication or to remove stomach contents 

GJ-tube - a feeding tube with two ports- one leading into the stomach, and one going through the stomach into the jejunum

hEDS - hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is the form of EDS that I have. Symptoms include stretchy skin, hypermobile joints,  easy bruising and scarring, slow healing time, chronic pain, etc

Hickman line - a Hickman line is a form of tunneled central line that goes through the chest directly into the major arteries. These lines can remain in place for years at a time and are typically used by patients who require treatments multiple times a week every week (such as TPN)

home health - a home health company is the company who sends at-home medical equipment such as feeding pumps and infusion supplies to patients 

home health nurse - a home health nurse is a nurse who comes into a patient's home and provides medical care such as dressing changes and medication delivery. These nurses are also often who teaches patients to use their home health equipment

hyperPOTS - technically, the form of POTS I have is called 'hyperadrenergic POTS'. Essentially, when I change positions my body releases too much adrenaline into the bloodstream. This can cause a racing heart beat and high blood pressure along with all the other "typical" POTS symptoms

ileum - the ileum is the third and final part of the small intestine

Interventional Radiology/IR - Interventional Radiology is a hospital department that performs procedures such as tube and central line placements using contrast and fluoroscopy. This helps keep procedures minimally invasive and most are performed without sedation of any sort, which is also good for patients

IV or PIV - a small cannula leading into small or peripheral veins, generally in the hand , arm, or leg

J-tube - much like a G-tube, except it leads into the jejunum instead of the stomach. Because these tubes directly perforate and anchor the intestine, they come with more associated risks than a G or GJ tube

jejunum - the second part of the small intestine

low-profile feeding tube - a feeding tube that is smaller than a standard tube and sits closer to the skin. These tubes are less noticeable in daily life

MCAS - Mast Cell Activation Syndrome is a condition in which the body's mast cells overreact to common stimuli. These reactions act like allergic reactions, but are not technically classified as such because they change on the day-to-day

Mic-Key button - a brand of low-profile feeding tube

motility - another term for peristalsis, the natural movement of food, liquids, and air through the GI system

NG tube - a nasogastric tube runs through the nose, down the throat, and into the stomach and is used to deliver nutrition, hydration, and/or medications directly into the stomach

NJ tube - a nasojejunal tube is much like an NG tube, but instead of stopping in the stomach it bypasses it and terminates in the jejunum

parenteral feeding - nutrition that bypasses the GI system entirely and is delivered directly into the bloodstream. Also called TPN or Total Parenteral Nutrition

PICC line - a PICC line is a type of short-term central line used to deliver long-term intravenous treatments. These lines are typically placed when a patient is expected to need a certain treatment for a short period of time or when a patient is trialing a treatment

Port or Port-a-cath - a Port is a form of central line typically used for chemotherapy or other treatments that only need to be delivered once or twice a month. These lines are placed entirely underneath the skin, and when in use are accessed with a special needle called a huber needle

POTS - Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome is a form of dysautonomia characterized by high heart rate and low blood pressure upon changing positions (i.e. from sitting to standing)

rectum/anus - google it

sigmoid colon - the final part of the large intestine that connects to the rectum

SMA Syndrome/SMAS - Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome is a rare gastro-vascular disorder in which the superior mesenteric artery and aorta compress the duodenum, causing a complete or partial intestinal blockage

standard "dangler" feeding tube - a "standard" feeding tube is much like a nasal tube, but runs out of the abdominal wall. These tubes are more noticeable than their low-profile counterparts

stoma - a hole created in the abdomen through which a feeding tube or other device is threaded

syncope - fainting

syncopal episode - an instance of fainting

transverse colon - the third part of the large intestine that runs straight across the abdomen and connects the ascending and descending colon

TPN - another word for parenteral nutrition. This is a last-ditch nutrition effort only used when all other efforts have failed due to the associated risks of infection and liver damage. Commonly used in people with total intestinal or gastrointestinal failure, or those who need complete gut rest (for example, while recovering from/preparing for major GI  surgery)