Abdominal Pain, Age 12 and Older

Preparing For Your Appointment

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.

You can help your health professional diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:

• How long have you had the pain?
• What were you doing when the pain started?
• Did the pain start suddenly or develop gradually?
• How severe is your pain? Rate your pain on a scale of 1 to 10.
• Is your pain generalized or localized ? If you have localized pain, where is it located?
• Is your pain cramping, a steady ache, burning, or a tearing sensation?
• Is your pain changing? If so, how?
• Is the pain constant, or does it come and go?
• Have you had other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, a change in urination, or fever?
• Have you had this type of pain before? If so, did you see a health professional? How was the pain treated?
• What makes the pain better? What makes the pain worse?
• Have you recently traveled outside of the country?
• Have you drunk any untreated well, stream, or lake water?
• Do you have any health risks?

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: January 13, 2009
Medical Review:	Steven L. Schneider, MD - Family Medicine William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
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