If you experience any symptoms, you should pay attention to the following, and even write it down.

Where they appear. Imagine the area of your abdomen divided into four parts: top right, top left, bottom right and bottom left. In which part are you feeling pain, cramp or discomfort? Are you feeling pain in other parts of your body, such as your feet, hands, knees or ankles? Does the pain or discomfort move from one part of your body to another?

How often they appear. Do your symptoms appear on a daily, weekly or monthly basis? Are they present constantly or almost constantly? Is there a particular time of day when your symptoms appear, say after meals or shortly after you go to bed? How long do your symptoms last?

How intense they are. How strong is your pain? On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most uncomfortable, how would you rate your pain? What does your pain feel like? How would you describe it?

Whether they ease or worsen. What relieves your symptoms? Rest, medication, relaxation? What types of treatment have worked well in the past? What makes the symptoms worse? Perhaps a certain type of food (e.g., milk, alcohol, spices) or activity?