ABSTRACT
The characteristics of the pain should be elicited in the history, and information with regard to the following factors should be sought: (a) onset – sudden or gradual; (b) severity; (c) periodicity, ie if the pain waxes and wanes, if it disappears entirely and if
it occurs secondary to certain precipitating activities, eg eating, taking alcohol, etc;
(d) where the pain is situated and if it originated at this site or moved over the course of the illness;
(e) if there is any radiation of the pain, eg into the shoulder; (f) if anything relieves the pain; and (g) if there are associated symptoms or problems, eg vomiting, weight loss,
haematemesis, back pain, pregnancy, etc.
