Malabsorption Symptoms Quiz

Perineal inspection and rectal examination are essential and may reveal abnormalities of the pelvic floor, anal canal or rectum. Most patients will respond to dietary fibre supplementation and the judicious use of ______.

Middle-aged or elderly patients with a short history or worrying symptoms like rectal bleeding, pain or weight loss must be investigated promptly by either barium enema or ______.

For those with simple constipation, investigation usually proceeds with a digital rectal examination, proctoscopy, and sigmoidoscopy to detect anorectal disease, routine biochemistry, and a full blood count. If these are normal, a 1-month trial of dietary fibre and/or ______ is justified.

If symptoms persist, examination of the colon by barium enema or ______ is indicated to look for structural disease.

If no cause is found and disabling symptoms are present, then specialist referral for investigation of possible ______ may be necessary.

The problem may be one of infrequent desire to defecate known as 'slow transit' or else may result from excessive straining known as 'obstructed ______.'

It is neither possible nor appropriate to investigate every person with this very common complaint. Most will respond to dietary fibre supplementation and the judicious use of ______.

For those with simple constipation, investigation usually starts with a digital rectal examination, proctoscopy, and sigmoidoscopy to detect anorectal disease, routine biochemistry, and a full blood count. If these are normal, a 1-month trial of dietary fibre and/or ______ is justified.

If symptoms persist, examination of the colon by barium enema or ______ is indicated to look for structural disease.

If no cause is found and disabling symptoms are present, then specialist referral for investigation of possible ______ may be necessary.