GI History Flashcards
Dysphagia?
Difficulty swallowing
Odynophagia?
Hurts to swallow
What to think with dysphagia/odynophagia?
Malignancy
Heartburn and reflux think?
GORD espescially when lying down
HOWEVER
MI is in the differentials
Anorexia
Loss of appetite
What to think with indigestion?
Peptic ulcer/GORD/ H Pylori
Haematemesis?
Due to upper GI bleeding, above duodenal flexure
PR bleeding- bright red blood?
Sigmoid colon, rectum or anal canal is source
Most commonly heamorrhoids
PR bleeding- darker blood mixed with stool?
Above rectum bleeding, carcinoma is common with this
Melaena?
Bleeding from above ileocaecal valve, tarry, characteristic smell
Tenesmus?
Incomplete emptying feel
-mass in rectum
What is jaundice associated with?
Itching
What to think with abdo pain?
- Region
- Radiation
- Colicky
- Localised/diffuse
- Association with eating/defecation/vomiting
- Improvement or worsening with position
- SOCRATES
Past medical history?
- Specifically ask about hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes
- Previous conditions
- Ask how they’re managing long term conditions eg IBD
Drug history?
- Don’t forget OTC medication
- Allergies
- Steroids relevant for pancreatitis
- IV drug users