Evaluate patient for “red flags” that may suggest the presence of an underlying GI organic disorder.
Important red flags include:
- Abdominal pain,
- Cramping,
- Nausea/vomiting,
- Weight loss,
- Melena, rectal bleeding,
- Rectal pain,
- Fever.
Reference
Am Fam Physician. 2002 Jun 1;65(11):2283-2291. http://www.aafp.org/afp/2002/0601/p2283.html