English for Medical Purposes

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 checkup, 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.