Abdominal Pain

Questions to Ask

How long has it been going on? What makes it feel better? What makes it feel worse? Can you describe the pain? (Cramps, sharpness, etc.) Does it radiate? How is your appetite? Does the pain worsen with certain food?

Questions to Ask

Have you seen a doctor for it? Are you taking any medication? Is anyone else in your family experiencing the same problems? Bowel movements?

Physical Examination

Palpate the abdominal region, listen for abnormal sounds

Right Upper

Liver, Pancreas, Kidney, and Lung

Appendix, Ureter, Bladder, Colon, and Gonads Heart, Spleen, Kidney, Stomach, and Lung Ureter, Bladder, Colon, and Gonads

Right Lower

Left Upper

Left Lower

Parasites

Questions to Ask & Physical Examination

Similar to abdominal questions Check for distended belly

Remember to ask for the number of people in the family, usually if one has parasites, they all do

Hookworms

What?

Worm that lives in upper small bowel

Cause:

Sometimes contaminated soil allows for larval penetration

Hookworms

Symptoms

Anemia

Roundworms

What?

Worm that lives in small intestine Contaminated food Coughing, difficulty breathing, chest pain (due to larval migration to lungs)

Causes

Symptoms

Pinworms

What?

Small white, thread like worms Ingested eggs Usually asymptomatic When symptomatic, itching in vaginal Itchy butt Difficulty sleeping at night

Causes

Symptoms

Whipworms

What?

Whip-like worms Ingested eggs from soil Usually asymptomatic Heavy cases may cause bloody diarrhea

Causes

Symptoms

Tapeworms

What?

Segmented worms that passes through the stool Eating meat that has been infected Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea

Causes

Symptoms