Physical Exam and Family History
After questions about your symptoms, the doctor will need to learn more about the following information:
– What you include in your diet
– A family history of digestive issues, especially inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), colon cancer, or celiac disease
– Drugs or medications you are currently taking
– Stressful events associated with the beginning of your symptoms
– Recent infections
Next, the following things can be done in a physical exam:
– Listening to sounds in the abdomen with a stethoscope
– Look for abdominal bloating
– Check for abdominal pain or tenderness by tapping on this area [2]
