[Diagnosis of functional abdominal complaints (author's transl)]

Abdominal complaints require careful diagnostic investigations even if they are thought to be functional. In about 40% of patients seen in a gastroenterologist's office in a big city no organic causes of gastrointestinal complaints can be found. In about 36% false nutrition (for instance overeating, furfurism), gastrointestinal infectious disease, abuse of laxatives or food allergies are underlying factors. Microscopic examination of the stool should be done right from the beginning in mediterranean people in order to rule our parasitic disease. Early gastroscopy may be rational however sometimes not feasible; cholecystography may explain in some cases symptoms thought to be gastrointestinal.