Do you have generalized abdominal discomfort or pain (pain that is difficult to pinpoint)?
Never / don't know
Occasional moderate discomfort
Frequent moderate discomfort
Occasional severe pain
Frequent severe pain
322.
Do you have pain or discomfort in the upper abdominal (stomach) area, below the breastbone?
Don't know
No
Occasionally / mild
Several times a week / moderate
Frequently / severe
323.
Do you have pain at the right side of your abdomen, between the bottom rib and the hip?
Never / don't know
Occasional moderate discomfort
Frequent moderate discomfort
Occasional severe pain
Frequent severe pain
324.
Do you have pain at the left side of your abdomen, between the bottom rib and the hip?
Never / don't know
Occasional moderate discomfort
Frequent moderate discomfort
Occasional severe pain
Frequent severe pain
325.
(Enlarged spleen) Have you noticed pressure or 'fullness' under your lower left rib cage, which is painless or slightly tender? Do not answer this question if there is definite pain in this area.
Don't know / there is definite pain
No
Yes, slight pressure
Yes, definite pressure
326.
Do you have pain at the lower front of your abdomen?
Never / don't know
Occasional moderate discomfort
Frequent moderate discomfort
Occasional severe pain
Frequent severe pain
327.
Are you currently experiencing severe pain in the lower abdomen?
Don't know
No
Yes, lower left side only
Yes, lower right side only
Yes, both sides or middle
328.
If you are currently experiencing abdominal pain, for how long has this pain been present?
Not applicable / don't know
Less than one week
1-4 weeks
1-3 months
Over 3 months
329.
When you have abdominal pain, does a bowel movement reduce it?
Not aplicable / don't know
No
Moderate improvement
Big improvement - the pain disappears
330.
Does a large or fatty meal cause upper abdominal pain, perhaps worse at night?
Do you have a sense of lower abdominal fullness, NOT caused by abdominal gas?
Don't know
No
Somewhat
Definitely, but not all the time
Definitely, almost always
333.
Are you experiencing any abdominal swelling or bloating?
Don't know
No
Yes, slightly noticeable
Yes, very noticeable
Add any additional information here for the questions above:
Please mention the question number(s) if possible.
GLOSSARY
Abdomen (Abdominal) That part of the body between the chest and the hips that contains the stomach, intestines, liver, bladder, pancreas and other organs.
Gastric Reflux Disease (Gastric Reflux, Gastroesophageal Reflux, Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease, GERD) A common relapsing condition affecting approximately 10% of the U.S. population and caused by an abnormal exposure of the lower esophagus to refluxed gastric contents, causing irritation and injury to the esophageal tissues. GERD develops as a result of relaxations of the transient lower esophageal sphincter. Typical presenting symptoms are heartburn, an epigastric burning sensation and acid regurgitation. However, some patients may present with atypical symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing.
Spleen (Splenectomy) The largest organ of the lymphatic system in the body, located between the stomach and the diaphragm (the muscle below the lungs which provides the motion for breathing). It destroys old red blood cells, produces lymphocytes and plasma cells, and stores blood. It also has other as yet unknown functions. A splenectomy is the surgical removal of the spleen.
Stomach A hollow, muscular, J-shaped pouch located in the upper part of the abdomen to the left of the midline. The upper end (fundus) is large and dome-shaped; the area just below the fundus is called the body of the stomach. The fundus and the body are often referred to as the cardiac portion of the stomach. The lower (pyloric) portion curves downward and to the right and includes the antrum and the pylorus. The function of the stomach is to begin digestion by physically breaking down food received from the esophagus. The tissues of the stomach wall are composed of three types of muscle fibers: circular, longitudinal and oblique. These fibers create structural elasticity and contractibility, both of which are needed for digestion. The stomach mucosa contains cells which secrete hydrochloric acid and this in turn activates the other gastric enzymes pepsin and rennin. To protect itself from being destroyed by its own enzymes, the stomach’s mucous lining must constantly regenerate itself.
