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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffStart by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner if you have signs and symptoms that worry you. You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in digestive diseases and conditions (gastroenterologist) for further testing and diagnosis.
Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, either with your primary care doctor or the gastroenterologist, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
- Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
- Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
- Make a list of any medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, you're taking, along with the dosage of each medication.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Preparing a list of questions ahead of time will help you make the most of the limited time you may have with your doctor. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For esophageal spasm, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What is likely causing my symptoms?
- Are there any other possible causes for my symptoms?
- Is there a way for me to safely tell if my chest pain is being caused by an esophageal spasm, rather than another condition, such as a heart problem?
- What kinds of tests do I need? How do I need to prepare for these tests?
- Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
- What treatments are available?
- What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?
- Is there anything I can do on my own, such as make changes in my diet, that will improve my symptoms?
- What types of foods are likely to make my symptoms worse?
- I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
- Should I see a specialist? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover it?
- Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing me?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What websites do you recommend?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.
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. Your doctor may ask:
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
- Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
- What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
- Are your symptoms related to eating?
- Does any particular food or type of food trigger your symptoms?
- Do you experience any symptoms of heartburn after eating, such as a burning sensation in your chest or an acid taste in your mouth?
- Do you ever wake up during the night with heartburn, chest pain or an acid taste in your mouth?
- Do you have difficulty swallowing food or have you had to change your diet to avoid difficulty swallowing?
What you can do in the meantime
If you know that certain types of foods tend to trigger your symptoms, avoid these foods while you're waiting to see your doctor. Foods that are either very hot or very cold may also trigger an esophageal spasm.
- Orlando RC. Diseases of the esophagus. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/201609212-3/0/1492/0.html. Accessed July 1, 2010.
- Maish M. Esophagus. In: Townsend CM, et al. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/207919050-3/0/1565/0.html. Accessed July 1, 2010.
- Kahrilas PJ, et al. Esophageal neuromuscular function and motility disorders. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisinger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/linkTo?type=bookHome&isbn=978-1-4160-6189-2&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6189-2..X0001-7--TOP&uniq=200844987-3. Accessed July 1, 2010.
- Picco MP (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. July 7, 2010.
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