Hx
Frequency and volume of stools
Duration of change in bowel habits
Associated symptoms
Constitutional
Abdominal pain
Bloating
Sense of incomplete evacuation
Melena or hematochezia
Thyroid disease symptoms
Diet (especially fiber and fluid intake)
Medications (including recent antibiotics)
Sick contacts
Travel
Camping
HIV risk factors
History of abdominal surgeries
Diabetes
Pancreatitis
Alcohol and drug use
FHx of colon cancer
PE
Vital signs
Relevant thyroid/endocrine exam
Abdominal and rectal exams
Female pelvic exam
Ddx (diarrhea)
Drug withdrawal
Ddx
Colorectal cancer
Low-fiber diet
Irritable bowel syndrome
Gastroenteritis (viral, bacterial, parasitic)
GI parasitic infection (ascariasis, giardiasis)
Pseudomembranous (Clostridium difficile) colitis
Food poisoning
Diverticulitis
Diverticulosis
Lactose intolerance
Celiac disease
Hyperthyroidism
Small bowel lymphoma
Carcinoid syndrome
Hepatitis A
Inflammatory bowel disease
Angiodysplasia
Substance abuse (e.g. heroin)
Depression
Hypothyroidism
