Dialogue between a nurse and a patient - talking about the symptoms of IBS. For Pre-Intermediate medical English students. By Virginia Allum
Transcript
Nurse: Can you tell me about the problems with your bowels?
Patient: Yes. I've had IBS for a few years. Sometimes it's very unpleasant. I have a few intestinal problems at the moment.
Nurse: I see. Can you explain what is happening?
Patient: Well, I've had a lot of abdominal pain for the past week. I've also had diarrhoea and very bad wind. It's so embarrassing.
Nurse: It must be very difficult for you. What is the abdominal pain like?
Patient: It's like colic. You know, it feels like a painful spasm in my intestines. Sometimes I am doubled over in pain.
Nurse: Does anything make it better?
Patient: Well, it's usually better after I go to the toilet. I mean, if I have a bowel movement.
Nurse: What about when you have diarrhoea?
Patient: That's when I feel very ill. It doesn't help with the abdominal pain at all.
Nurse: Do you have any medication to take when you have diarrhoea?
Patient: I've just spoken to the doctor and she's prescribed some tablets for me.
Nurse: That's good. Take the tablets whenever you have a bout of diarrhoea. You should also make sure that you keep up your fluids. Otherwise you can become quite dehydrated.
Patient: Yes, I always try to drink a lot whenever I have diarrhoea.
