Glossary

This is a list of the most commonly-used words which may appear in the blog. Some definitions have been taken from http://www.iasupport.org

Let me know if anything needs to be added to it.

 

Biopsy: sampling a body tissue so it may be scrutinised under a microscope.

Colon: the large intestine

Colonoscopy: an examination of the large intestine using a long lighted fibre optic or video scope (basically a big, very undignified tube up the bum which peeks and prods as it goes along, relaying a video onto the monitor so your intestine can have it’s 15 minutes of fame. It snatches bits of tissue (see Biopsy), while you lie there wondering how it’s all fitting inside you and feeling relaxed and woozy from the drugs, until the pain hits – if the inflammation is bad).

Ileostomy: a surgically created opening on the abdomen, made by bringing the end of the small intestine (ileum) out of the body. A bag is placed over it to collect intestinal waste.

Ulcerative Colitis (UC): A form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). UC is a chronic (lifelong) condition which has no known cause or cure. It causes inflammation in the large intestine, as a result of which people suffer abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhoea, extreme fatigue, weight loss or gain, irritability, sore skin, joints and eyes and other symptoms.

 

I also use some Arabic words quite frequently, here are their meanings:

InshaAllah: God-Willing

Alhamdulillah: Praise be to God

SubhanAllah: Praise be to God

JazakAllah Khair: May God reward you well (used as ‘thank you’)

Assalamualaykum: Peace be with you (the greeting of a Muslim)