Perianal Disease:  Your disease activity is currently active in the area around your anal area. This may involve anal fissures, fistulas, pain, and can interfere with sex and quality of life.

Anoreceptive intercourse: This is the medical word for anal sex or bottoming. Interchangeable with Receptive Anal Intercourse (RAI)

 High-Risk Sexual Activity/High-Risk Sexual Behavior: This may be used to refer to sexual activity in your diagnosis/ diagnosis coding. This is not a value judgment about you!! It is antiquated language, but remember, it is not a reflection on you as a person.

Anal fistula: a small tunnel that develops between the end of the bowel and skin near the anus. Fistulas can also occur in the bowel to the bladder (colovesical) and other surrounding structures.

CRP: a protein in your blood that rises in response to inflammation

Biomarker: a biological element that can be an indicator of inflammation and response to treatment. Includes, but is not limited to, CRP, Fecal calprotectin, or anti-IF16. 

EIM/Extra Intestinal Manifestation: When your IBD affects parts of your body outside your GI tract - this can include joint pain and eczema. 

DRE: Digital Rectal Examination. This is where your doctor will examine your rectum, anus, and prostate (if applicable) to check for anything abnormal. This may be needed if you are experiencing abnormal rectal or flare symptoms, but nothing should happen if you are not comfortable with it. It is okay to ask to pause.

Note: Having an examination for perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease generally involves a more extensive evaluation of the perineum. Again, it is 100% okay to set boundaries on what you are comfortable with and take pauses with as necessary.  Please don't let this dissuade you from seeking care!

BID: twice a day. This may be seen with 'BID AC' - meaning twice a day before meals

 HS/HD : before bedtime/ at bedtime. PC HS is after meals at bedtime.

q2h: every 2 hours. (q8h is every 8 hours, etc)

PC: after meals.

UST: Ustekinemab. This is Stelara.

RIZ: Risankizumab This is SKYRIZI.

VEDO:  Vedolizumab. This is Entyvio.

MTX: Methotrexate.

ADA: adalimumab. This is Humira.

PRN:  Use as needed. 

Dx: Diagnosis

Tx: Treatment

NPO: Nothing by mouth - don’t eat or drink anything!

POCUS: Point Of Care Ultrasound - this can include intestinal ultrasound or ultrasound of things like your gallbladder or appendix.