ABSTRACT
This chapter presents ten pearls of wisdom for general practitioners (GPs) for better understanding of gastroenterology and for more efficient use of resources. These pearls have been acquired from years of experience and evidence-based study by specialists in the field. The chapter also presents advice on diagnoses often overlooked by GPs while handling patients with abdominal pain. Diagnosis may require a defecating proctogram and ano-rectal physiology. Bowel retraining is usually the best mode of treatment and surgery is reserved for a small number of select cases. Patients reporting high dysphagia often have a form of globus characterised by the sensation of something sticking in their throat, high up in the neck. Diagnoses of the following diseases/disorders are recommended: oesophageal spasm, obscure dysphagia, bile acid malabsorption-related diarrhoea, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). The chapter then provides guidance on how to distinguish tricky differentials and finally a few tips on prescribing medications for these patients.
