Pain that Comes and Goes
Doctor: How long have you been having this pain?
Patient: It started in June. So for more than five months now. My stomach hurts after some meals, but not always.
Doctor: You should have come in earlier. Let's get to the bottom of this. Have you changed your eating habits during this period?
Patient: No, not really. Well, that's not true. I'm eating the same foods, but less. You know, the pain seems to come and go.
Doctor: How strong is the pain exactly? On a scale of one to ten, how would you describe the intensity of the pain?
Patient: Well, I'd say the pain is about a two on a scale of one to ten. Like I say, it's not really bad. It just keeps coming back...
Doctor: How long does the pain last when you get it?
Patient: It comes and goes. Sometimes, I hardly feel anything. Other times, it can last up to half an hour or more.
Doctor: Is there a type of food that seems to cause stronger pain than other types?
Patient: Hmmm ... heavy foods like steak or lasagna usually brings it on. I've been trying to avoid those.
Doctor: Does the pain travel to any other parts of your body - chest, shoulder or back? Or does it remain around the stomach area.
Patient: No, it just hurts here.
Key Vocabulary
pain
stomach
to hurt
to get to the bottom of something
eating habits
to come and go
on a scale of one to ten
to keep coming back
to last (an amount of time)
heavy foods
to avoid
chest
shoulder
back
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