How to Prepare for Appointment
It is important to contact your doctor immediately if you develop severe stomach pain that makes you uncomfortable and prevents you from sitting still. Your doctor may refer you for immediate surgery to diagnose and treat your condition.
You can call your healthcare provider if your symptoms are mild and infrequent. Your healthcare provider will examine you, then refer you to a doctor who specializes in digestive conditions. A doctor who specializes in digestive disorders is called a gastroenterologist. You may also be referred to a vascular surgeon, a surgeon who specializes in blood vessel disorders.
Let’s take a look at some information to help you get ready for your appointment with your doctor, and what to expect from your provider.
- Write down your symptoms, when they started and how they may have changed or worsened over time.
- Write down questions to ask during your appointment.
- Write down your key medical information, like other conditions with which you’ve been diagnosed.
- Ensure you are aware of any pre-appointment restrictions, like not eating after midnight on the night before your appointment.
- Write down all your drugs, supplements and vitamins that you’re taking.