Glossary - U

Ulcer (UL-sur)

A break in the skin; a deep sore; A sore on the skin surface or on the stomach lining. People with diabetes may get ulcers from minor scrapes on the feet or legs, from cuts that heal slowly, or from the rubbing of shoes that do not fit well. Ulcers can become infected.

Ulcerative Colitis (UL-sur-ay-tuv koh-LY-tis)

A serious disease that causes ulcers and irritation in the inner lining of the colon and rectum. See also Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

Upper GI Series (UH-pur jee-eye SEE-reez)

X-rays of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. The patient swallows barium first. Barium makes the organs show up on x-rays. Also called barium meal.

 

Urea

One of the chief waste products of the body. When the body breaks down food, it uses what it needs and throws the rest away as waste. The kidneys flush the waste from the body in the form of urea, which is in the urine.

 

Urea Breath Test (yoo-REE-uh breth test)

A test used to detect Helicobacter pylori infection. The test measures breath samples for urease, an enzyme H. pylori makes.

Uremia

1 : accumulation in the blood of constituents normally eliminated in the urine that produces a severe toxic condition and usually occurs in severe kidney disease.
2 : the toxic bodily condition associated with uremia <the patient was in ure·mia>