Abdominal Key

Chapter 14 CHALLENGING CONSTIPATION KEY POINTS • Constipation is a symptom not a diagnosis. • There are three subtypes of functional constipation (no structural or biochemical cause): slow transit constipation,…

Chapter 1 SORE MOUTH KEY POINTS • The commonest fungal infection in the mouth is Candida albicans. Always look for a predisposing factor (systemic disease, drugs, diabetes or HIV infection)….

Chapter 9 IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME KEY POINTS • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a highly prevalent condition affecting 15% of the population. • IBS is defined by chronic or relapsing…

Chapter 13 CANCER OF THE PANCREAS AND PANCREATIC CYSTIC LESIONS KEY POINTS • Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive cancer with a low survival time: 10%–15% survival at 5 years. •…

Chapter 12 CHRONIC PANCREATITIS KEY POINTS • Chronic pancreatitis, chronic inflammation of the pancreas, is characterised by progressive irreversible loss of pancreatic exocrine and endocrine function. • Chronic pancreatits manifests…

Chapter 10 FOOD ALLERGIES AND INTOLERANCES KEY POINTS • Food allergies may affect up to 6% of the population. • Food allergies are adverse reactions to foods mediated by the…

Chapter 8 HAEMATEMESIS AND MELAENA KEY POINTS • Resuscitation should be instituted irrespective of the underlying cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. • A multidisciplinary approach to management is key. • Patients…

Chapter 7 ACUTE ABDOMINAL PAIN KEY POINTS • Acute abdominal pain is usually a surgical condition. • Most conditions can be diagnosed by bedside assessment. • Clinical peritonitis will usually…

Chapter 4 DYSPEPSIA AND FUNCTIONAL DYSPEPSIA KEY POINTS • Dyspepsia is defined as pain or discomfort located in the central upper abdomen. • Dyspepsia may coexist with and be difficult…

Chapter 2 DYSPHAGIA AND ODYNOPHAGIA KEY POINTS • A careful history will yield the likely diagnosis in 80% of cases. • The site of bolus hold-up is not reliable if…