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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you have signs and symptoms that are common to bile loop syndrome, make an appointment with your doctor. After an initial evaluation, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of digestive disorders (gastroenterologist).
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
Information to gather in advance
- Write down your symptoms, including when they started and how they may have changed or worsened over time.
- Bring a list of all your medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements.
- Write down your key medical information, including other conditions with which you've been diagnosed. Be sure to let your doctor know about any abdominal surgery you've had.
- Write down key personal information, including any recent changes or stressors in your life. These factors can be connected to digestive signs and symptoms.
- Take a family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to absorb all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor. Creating your list of questions in advance can help you make the most of your time with your doctor.
For blind loop syndrome, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What is the most likely cause of my condition?
- Are there any other possible causes for my condition?
- What diagnostic tests do I need?
- What treatment approach do you recommend trying first?
- If the first treatment doesn't work, what will you recommend trying next?
- Are there any side effects associated with the medications you're prescribing?
- Will I need to stay on medications long term?
- How often will you see me to monitor my progress?
- Do I need to make any dietary changes?
- Should I take any nutritional supplements?
- Are there any lifestyle changes I can make to help reduce or manage my symptoms?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions at any time that you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over points you want to spend more time on. You may be asked:
- Have you ever had abdominal surgery?
- What are your symptoms?
- When did you first notice these symptoms?
- Do your symptoms come and go, or stay about the same?
- Is your pain crampy?
- Does your pain radiate to other parts of your abdomen or to your back?
- Have you lost weight without trying?
- Have you noticed a change in your stools?
- Have your signs and symptoms included vomiting?
- Have your signs and symptoms included a fever?
- Has anyone close to you had similar signs or symptoms recently?
- What is your typical daily diet?
- Have you ever been diagnosed with a food allergy or with lactose intolerance?
- Have you been diagnosed with any other medical conditions?
- What medications are you taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbs and supplements?
- Do you have any family history of bowel disorders or colon cancer?
- Turnage RH, et al. Abdominal wall, umbilicus, peritoneum, mesenteries, omentum, and retroperitoneum. In: Townsend CM, et al. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/164856770-3/902155171/1565/469.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3675-3..50052-6--cesec137_2746. Accessed Oct. 13, 2009.
- Vanderhoof JA, et al. Pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of bacterial overgrowth. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 13, 2009.
- Bacterial overgrowth syndrome: Malabsorption syndromes. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec02/ch017/ch017b.html. Accessed Oct. 13, 2009.
- Vanderhoof JA, et al. Treatment of bacterial overgrowth. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 13, 2009.
- Kahn E, et al. Anatomy, histology, embryology, and developmental anomalies of the small and large intestine. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/164856770-5/902188062/1389/733.html#4-u1.0-B1-4160-0245-6..50104-9--cesec7_4663. Accessed Oct. 13, 2009.
- Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 21, 2009.
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