Preparing For Your First Appointment With A Gastroenterologist: All You Need To Know
Do you suffer from frequent digestive issues like abdominal discomfort or unexplained changes to your bowel habits? Has your primary care practitioner referred you to a gastro doctor for further assessment of your condition? Well, gastroenterologists are experts who treat conditions and diseases that affect your digestive system. Visiting the best gastroenterologist in Kolkata can be the key to improving your quality of health and life.
Gastroenterologists are doctors with expertise in diseases,
problems, and disorders concerning the digestive system. They are specialists
in the function and conditions of the colon, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, bile
ducts, stomach, small intestine, and esophagus. On your first consult, you can
expect your gastro doctor to ask questions regarding your symptoms. You may
have to follow it with a physical exam and specialized tests at a premier gastroenterology hospital in Kolkata.
Here’s everything you need to know about your first
appointment with a gastro doctor.
What Can A Professional Gastroenterologists In Kolkata Treat?
A gastroenterologist can treat a range of digestive
disorders and issues. Some of these include:
·
Irritable
bowel syndrome (IBS)
·
Inflammatory
bowel disease (IBD)
·
Gastro-oesophageal
reflux disease (GERD)
·
Haemorrhoids
·
Pancreatitis
·
Heartburn
·
Constipation,
diarrhea, and blood in stool
·
Ulcers
What Should You Do Before Your First Appointment With A Gastroenterologist
1.
Pre-Appointment Restrictions
The first and foremost consideration to keep in mind
before consulting a gastro doctor is the pre-appointment restrictions. After scheduling your first appointment with a top gastroenterologist
in Kolkata, discover if there are any pre-appointment restrictions. Some
leading gastro doctors might insist their patients eat only certain foods or
not to eat for a period of time before your appointment.
2.
List Out Your Symptoms
Consider preparing a list of the various symptoms
you have been experiencing. Make a list of it even if you believe it to be
completely unrelated to irritable bowel syndrome. This will help the specialist
get a complete picture of your medical history. Furthermore, you should make
note of any pre-existing or old illnesses that you have or have suffered from.
3.
Ask Someone To Join You
Doctors’ visits can be overwhelming, especially when
you are presented with a plethora of new information. Ask a dear friend or
family member to join you as it is always advisable to bring support if
possible. They can help ensure you get all your questions answered. Also, they
can take notes of what your doctor says so that you can solely focus on
listening to your doctor. This way, they can help you remember everything the
specialist has told you.
4.
Create A List Of Questions
Prepare a list of questions to ask the gastro doctor
during your appointment. Some of the crucial aspects to include are the
available treatments, probable side effects, the required lifestyle changes,
diet restrictions, further tests necessary, and other questions that you feel
are relevant. Never put off thinking about the questions that you have until
you are in the office of the doctor. Start creating a list and ensure you add
to it every time you think of something.
Postscript:
While you might wonder if there’s something really
wrong with you, visiting a gastro doctor doesn’t essentially mean you are
suffering from any disease. This is because; all you might need is a routine
check-up.
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