Abdominal Problems

Abstract

This chapter comprises a series of diagnostic challenges — indigestion, epigastric pain, central and lateral abdominal pain, lower abdominal pain, abdominal pain with diarrhoea, diarrhoea, sometimes with vomiting, and jaundice. Abdominal problems present commonly to the family physician, who needs to be able to diagnose and manage a wide variety of conditions, varying from those of psychogenic origin to those resulting from the most serious disease. To miss a serious abdominal condition, such as appendicitis, is a tragedy; on the other hand, to over-investigate abdominal discomforts of psychogenic origin often does more harm than good.