title: [Diagnosis of functional bowel diseases].
abstract: Functional bowel disorders cause frequent doctor visits. The term comprises various disease entities. Most frequent are the irritable bowel syndrome, functional constipation and functional diarrhea. An exact history plays an outstanding role for the diagnosis of all these entities. History either confirms a positive diagnosis or initiates some complementary investigations. Redundant and dangerous technical procedures should be avoided in the diagnostic work up.
authors.affiliation: Innere Abteilung, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Kalk, Universität zu Köln. ansorg@evkk.de
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kruis
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D003109:Colonic Diseases, Functional / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D008487:Medical History Taking