GI systematic enquiry

Question 1

What are the common presenting GI symptoms?

Answer 1

• Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
• Vomiting/ nausea
• Vomiting blood (haematemesis)
• Heartburn/dyspepsia
• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal bloating
• Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
• Changes in bowel habit (contiopation, diarrhoea, smelly?, melaena, rectal bleeding)
• Fat intolerance (intolerant to any food?)
• Itching, pain anywhere else?

Question 2

Dysphagia questions?

Answer 2

• Type of food (solid vs liquid)
• Associated symptoms (odynophagia, weight loss, cough, regurgitation)
• Pattern (progressive or intermittent)
• Onset
• Level at which the patient feels the food sticks

Question 3

Vomiting/ nausea:

Answer 3

• When (i.e in relation to meals)
• Associated symptoms (dyspepsia, abdominal pain, weight loss)
• Content of the vomit
• Colour of the vomit
• Volume of the vomit

Question 4

Vomiting blood (haematemesis):

Answer 4

• Colour
• ## Onset