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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYou're likely to start by first seeing your family doctor or primary care doctor. In some cases when you call to set up an appointment, you may be referred immediately to a specialist in skin diseases (dermatologist).
Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot to cover, it's a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your appointment. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For sweating and body odor, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What is likely causing my symptoms?
- What are other possible causes for my symptoms?
- Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
- What is the best course of action?
- What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?
- Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing me?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time that you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you several questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time later to go over any other points you want to discuss. Your doctor may ask:
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
- How often do you experience these symptoms?
- Have your symptoms been continuous or intermittent?
- What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
- What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
- Rados C. Antiperspirant awareness: It's mostly no sweat. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2005/405_sweat.html. Accessed Oct. 14, 2008.
- Biology of eccrine, apocrine, and apoeccrine sweat glands. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/popup.aspx?aID=2956362&print=yes_chapter. Accessed Oct. 14, 2008.
- Smith CC, et al. Idiopathic hyperhidrosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 15, 2008.
- Morelli JG. Disorders of the sweat glands. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/108020522-2/761896310/1608/1544.html. Accessed Oct. 20, 2008.
- Gibson LE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 27, 2008.
- Kitabchi AE, et al. Clinical features and diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 22, 2008.
- Mitch WE. Chronic kidney disease. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/109232365-3/767978930/1492/501.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50136-1--cesec17_5590. Accessed Nov. 4, 2008.
