History-taking and symptoms

Abstract

Patients suffering from disorders of the colon, rectum, and anus often complain of vague symptoms. Those presenting with anorectal troubles usually experience great difficulty in describing them with delicacy and precision. It is important, however, to obtain a detailed description of the symptoms and of their location, to provide a basis for appropriate examination and a reliable diagnosis. Even without strong association with a particular location, numerous symptoms nevertheless evoke a probable site of origin and a potential diagnosis. As in all fields of medicine, the assessment of the patient's history is the single most important piece of data that the physician can obtain. The circumstances under which a symptom appears, its localization, its development, the appearance of secondary associated complaints, and its precise characteristics should all be ascertained in detail. The interview may involve relatives; some questions are extremely personal and should be discussed on a one-to-one basis, in a place where there is privacy, available counseling, and a relaxed environment. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.