English for Medical Purposes

Pain that comes and goes might be chronic pain, or it might be just be something that indicates another condition. This dialogue might take place during a routine appointment, or perhaps during a trip to the emergency room, or urgent care. In all cases, doctors will often ask how strong the pain is on a scale of one to ten, as well as any activity that may have caused the pain to take place.   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. Lets get to the bottom of this. Have you changed your eating habits during this period?Patient: No, not really. Well, thats not true. Im 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, Id say the pain is about a two on a scale of one to ten. Like I say, its 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. Ive 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. Doctor: What about if I touch here? Does it hurt there?Patient: Ouch! Yesa, it hurts there. What do you think it is doctor? Doctor: Im not sure. I think we should take some x-rays to find out if youve broken anything.Patient: Will that be expensive? Doctor: I dont think so. Youre insurance should cover routine x-rays. Key Vocabulary backbrokenchesteating habitsheavy foodsinsuranceon a scale of one to tenpainshoulderstomachto avoidto come and goto cover somethingto get to the bottom of somethingto hurtto keep coming backto last (an amount of time)x-rays Check your understanding with this multiple choice comprehension quiz. More English for Medical Purposes Dialogues Troubling Symptoms - Doctor and PatientJoint Pain - Doctor and PatientA Physical Examination - Doctor and PatientA Prescription - Doctor, and PatientFeeling Queasy - Nurse and PatientHelping a Patient - Nurse and PatientPatient Details - Administration Staff and Patient More Dialogue Practice - Includes level and target structures/language functions for each dialogue.