15.2 Digestive Problems

Digestive problems are common in general practice, and the GP has a central role in the diagnosis and management of digestive problems in primary care. This RCGP curriculum statement covers conditions of the entire gastrointestinal tract, including the liver, pancreas, gall bladder and perianal area.

Here we have collated key articles from our journals to help you meet the curriculum requirements in this area.

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Diarrhoea - red flag symptoms

The red flag symptoms that indicate potentially serious causes of diarrhoea in adults.

Patient with trouble swallowing

Red flag symptoms: Dysphagia

An overview of the red flags for dysphagia, including identifying infective, obstructive...

Vomiting in adults - red flag symptoms

Dr Suchita Shah highlights the red flag symptoms associated with vomiting in adults...

Managing inflammatory bowel disease flares in primary care

Dr Kevin Barrett provides advice on managing patients with uncomplicated inflammatory...

Early diagnosis: Bowel cancer

Dr Clare Stephens highlights the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer and explains...

CT scan showing pancreatitis (Photograph: SPL)

Red flag symptoms - Epigastric pain

It is vital to ensure the patient is haemodynamically stable, says Dr Roopa Jaiswal.

Coeliac disease - clinical review

Diagnosis and management of coeliac disease, including typical and atypical presentations,...

Common bile duct stones - clinical review

The diagnosis and management of common bile duct stones, estimated to be present...

Acute epigastric pain - case study

A presentation of acute epigastric pain in a 44-year old female patient, leading...

Crohn's disease - Clinical review

Diagnosing and managing this inflammatory bowel disease.

Primary biliary cirrhosis: case study

A case of primary biliary cirrhosis discovered during routine liver function tests,...

Dr Suneeta Kochhar

Coeliac disease: hot topic

GPs have a vital role in diagnosing coeliac disease, according to the latest NICE...