Symptoms and signs of lower gastrointestinal disease

Symptoms of lower gastrointestinal disease are common and are frequent triggers for consultation in primary and secondary care. Diarrhoea, abdominal pain and constipation can represent a wide range of different underlying pathologies, from chronic, benign, functional conditions to acutely life-threatening emergencies. Lower GI bleeding frequently represents serious pathology and requires rational investigation based on a systematic assessment of the history and clinical presentation. Extra-intestinal manifestations of lower GI disease can often give a clue to the underlying diagnosis. In this contribution, we review the aetiology, clinical features, investigations and management for a range of lower gastrointestinal symptoms. These include diarrhoea, constipation, lower GI bleeding, bloating and abdominal pain.