Taking a History: Abdomen

Question 1

What are some specific areas to enquire about with GI?

Answer 1

• Mouth symptoms, - Abdo pain, - Anorexia and weight change, - Heartburn and reflux, - Dyspepsia and indigestion, - Odynophagia and dysphagia, - Abdo distention and swelling, - Nausea and vomiting, - Jaundice, - Changes in bowel habits

Question 2

What are some mouth symptoms?

Answer 2

Halitosis - bad breath. Dry mouth - Xerostomia, Altered taste - Dysgeusia, Cacogeusia - Foul taste Stomatitis - Painful, cracked lips.

Question 3

Name the different regions on the abdomen

Answer 3

Question 4

Define colicky

Answer 4

Pain in the abdomen due to wind/obstruction

Question 5

Define anorexia

Answer 5

Reduction in appetite and/or lack of interest in food

Question 6

What are some of the causes of weight gain?

Answer 6

Fluid gain eg, cardiac failure, liver disease or nephrotic syndrome. Hypothyroidism, Depression, Increased energy input/output

Question 7

What are some causes of unexplained weight loss?

Answer 7

Malignancy, malabsorption, metabolic diseases, psychiatric causes and malnutrition

Question 8

Describe the pain of heartburn and what is can be exacerbated by?

Answer 8

It is hot burning, retrosternal discomfort which may be exacerbated by food, lying flat or bending forwards

Question 9

What is dyspepsia?

Answer 9

Pain or discomfort centred in upper abdomen which is exacerbated by food and relieved by antacid.

Question 10

What is Odynophagia and some potential causes?

Answer 10

Pain on swallowing which is exacerbated by hot fluids. It can be caused by oesophageal ulcers, oesophagitis and oesophageal candidasis

Question 11

What is dysphagia and what are some of the causes of dysphagia

Answer 11

It means dificulty swallowing. Some causes can be tonsilitis, oesophageal carcinoma ect

Question 12

Define haematemesis

Answer 12

It is vomiting of blood. This can be fresh red or coffee-ground

Question 13

What is melaena?

Answer 13

Passage of black, tarry stools which is usually secondary to bleed in oesophagus, stomach or duodenum. Most common cause is chronic peptic ulceration

Question 14

What are some common causes of constipation?

Answer 14

Diet, painful anal conditions, immobility, meds, hypothyroidism, rectal carcinoma, neuromuscular, hypercalcaemia or IBS

Question 15

Name some causes of Diarrhoea

Answer 15

Diet, stress, infection, inflammation, endocrine, malabsorption, meds or IBS

Question 16

Name some upper GI tract red flags

Answer 16

Dysphagia, evidence of blood loss, unexplained weight loss, upper abdo mass, painless jaundice, persistent vomiting, unexplained iron deficiency

Question 17

Name some lower GI tract red flags

Answer 17

Bleeding, change in bowel habits (for longer than 4 weeks) mass and iron deficiency anaemia