Abdominal Pain

1. Identify the most immediate historical, physical and laboratory data to be gathered in the office from a patient presenting with acute abdominal pain.

2. Explain how the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain is affected by age, gender, lifestyle and psycho social stress.

3. Describe the medical management and patient education employed in treating the following etiologies of abdominal pain:

A. Dysmenorrhea
B. Irritable bowel syndrome
C. Acid peptic disease
D. Pancreatitis
E. Cholelithiasis
F. School phobia/functional abdominal pain
G. Abdominal aneurysm
H. Pelvic etiologies
I. Urinary tract infection
J. Constipation obstipation
K. Diverticulitis
L. Cancer
M. Kidney stones
N. Ectopic pregnancy
O. Inflammatory bowel disease
P. Intestinal obstruction
Q. Crohn's
R. Appendicitis

Sources:

Family Medicine:  Ambulatory Care and Prevention, Chapter 1, Pages 1-8

Essentials of Family Medicine, Chapter 22, Pages 325-340

Reading Resources:

"Acute Abdominal Pain in Children"  Alexander K.C. Leung, M.B.B.S., and David L. Sigalet, M.D., PH.D., University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, American Family Physician, June 1, 2003.

"Diagnosis of Acute Abdominal Pain in Older Patients"  Corley Lyon, LCDR, MC, USN, U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella, Sigonella Italy, Dwayne C. Clark, M.D., Fond du Lac Regional Clinic, Fond du Lac, WI American Family Physician, November 1, 2006.

"Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome"  Anthony J. Viera LCDR, MC, USNR et al., Naval Hospital Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL, American Family Physician, November 15, 2002.