One in four Faroese has abdominal pain, KVF reports

About one in four people in the Faroe Islands has abdominal pain, and the islands have the world’s highest prevalence of chronic intestinal diseases, according to public broadcaster KVF.

Gastroenterologist and hepatologist Katrin Olsen discussed symptoms that should prompt people to seek medical care on this week’s Heilsuhornið programme. She said blood in the stool, or a change in bowel habits accompanied by feeling unwell, abdominal pain, a possible fever and weight loss, are warning signs that require a visit to a doctor.

Olsen works as a senior doctor at the National Hospital’s liver, stomach and intestinal outpatient clinic. The programme also covers chronic intestinal diseases and answers listeners’ questions.