DIAGNOSIS CHECKLIST
for Pain

Why: to determine the site of the pain.

Why: e.g. aching, stabbing, burning, throbbing, constricting, gripping and cramp-like.

Why: e.g. a person with a peptic ulcer will have a persistent pain under the ribs in the midline but sometime the pain will radiate through the abdomen to the back; a person with angina or a heart attack will have a central crushing chest pain but sometimes the pain will radiate to the left side of the neck, jaw and left arm.

Why: e.g. begins at it's maximal intensity and remains at this level until it goes; increases gradually until it reaches a peak; begins at its peak and gradually declines; severity of the pain may fluctuate.

Why: e.g. gradually or suddenly.

Why: e.g. a certain position, movement, hot water bottle, food, medication.

Why: e.g. certain gut pains may be made worse by eating certain foods; muscle or joint pain may be made worse by joint movement, muscle exercise or posture.

Why: e.g. tuberculosis, diabetes, rheumatic fever, asthma, bleeding tendencies, tropical diseases, heart attack, stroke, sexually transmitted diseases.

Why: e.g. previous abdominal or pelvic surgery increases the risk of pelvic adhesions which may cause painful periods, pelvic pain, infertility and intestinal pain.

Why: e.g. asthma, heart attacks, stokes, diabetes, endometriosis, high cholesterol.

Why: If yes, nature and volume of the vomit and if it contains any blood?

Why: If yes, the amount, color, smell and presence of blood?