Medical history (history of illness) is an important component in the diagnosis of colon adenomas (colonic polyps).
Family history
- Are there any gastrointestinal diseases or tumor diseases in your family that are common?
Social history
Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints).
- Have you noticed any changes in the stool such as blood accumulation?*
- Have your bowel habits changed?
- Do you have increased intestinal cramps or abdominal pain?
- How long have these changes existed?
Vegetative anamnesis including nutritional anamnesis.
- Are you overweight? Please tell us your body weight (in kg) and height (in cm).
- Have you lost body weight unintentionally?
- Has your appetite changed?
- Do you eat a high-fat or low-fiber diet?
- Do you get enough exercise every day?
- Do you smoke? If so, how many cigarettes, cigars or pipes per day?
- Do you drink alcohol? If yes, what drink(s) and how many glasses per day?
Self history incl. medication history.
- Pre-existing conditions (gastrointestinal diseases, tumor diseases).
- Operations
- Allergies
- Medication history
Medication history
- 1,200 mg calcium and 1,000 IU/day vitamin D3 (treatment 3-5 years): during the treatment phase, no effect of calcium or vitamin D on the formation of sessile serrated (“sawtooth”) adenomas (SSAs) could be demonstrated; 6 to 10 years after the start of treatment, accumulation of SSAs: women and smokers had a higher risk of this if they had taken calcium supplements.Note: SSAs probably have the same risk as adenomatous polyps of developing into cancer.
* If this question has been answered “Yes”, an immediate visit to the doctor is required! (No responsibility is taken for the correctness of this information)
