Acid Reflux – Preparing for your Appointment

If you find that your heartburn episodes are becoming more and more frequent, you may need to see a doctor as these episodes can lead to worse conditions and complications.

It’s important to immediately talk to your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms:

  • Worsening and/or persisting heartburns
  • Heartburns that can’t be relieved by medicines
  • Heartburns that are so discomforting they prevent you from getting a good sleep or they wake you up at night
  • Discomforting heartburns that interferes with your daily activities or lifestyle
  • Painful swallowing or swallowing difficulty
  • You feel that there is a lump on your throat or chest
  • Heartburn that causes you to vomit
  • Having black stools or vomiting blood
  • You secrete too much saliva
  • Sudden loss of weight
  • Constant sore throat or hoarseness
  • Experiences of wheezing, coughing or choking

To get the most out of your doctor’s appointment, it is best to prepare beforehand. To achieve this you need to:

Do your own research – Know as much as you can about heartburn and acid reflux before your appointment. You can go to your local library and/or use the Internet to get more information about these topics. Knowing more about your condition can make you ask the right questions to your doctor. It can also prevent you from jumping to conclusions about what issue you may have. Knowing more about your condition also will help you understand the diagnosis the doctor may give you.

Jot down your questions – You can keep a diary or journal where you can write down you questions. Bring this journal/diary with you to your appointment in case you may forget some of the questions. Ask these questions early on during the appointment rather than wait until the end of the consultation when time constraint may prevent you from asking all of them.

Know the time when the heartburn happens – You doctor will most likely ask you when your heartburn happens. Does it happen:

  • When you bend over?
  • After meals?
  • After exercise?
  • During sleep?
  • During the day?

You can write down all your observations as early as two weeks prior to the appointment –  This may not only help the doctor diagnose your problem but it can serve as your guide as well in better managing your heartburn and acid reflux problem.

You need to relate to your physician how your acid reflux problem affects your daily life – This is important for the doctor to know as it lets him know the severity of your symptoms. Your doctor may be interested about this:

  • It does not bother me as much
  • I can’t enjoy being around with my friends
  • I can’t perform my work well enough
  • I have sleeping difficulties at night
  • I constantly worry about my problem

Let your doctor know what acid reflux remedies you have tried – Tell him if you’ve take home remedies, alternative treatments or antacids among others for your acid reflux problem. You need to tell your doctor what medicines you have taken and for what problems they’ve been prescribed for. This will enable the doctor to give you treatments that will not cause conflict with your medications.

You need to let your doctor know if you are pregnant – If you are pregnant, the doctor will recommend a treatment plan that will consider your pregnancy.

You can also use your diary/journal the list down all the important information your doctor tells you during your appointment. Be sure you understand all the information your doctor relates and if you don’t understand some of them, you need to let him clarify those things that you do not understand until you get them correctly.

Some of the question in your journal/diary can be like these:

  • What do you think is causing my symptoms?
  • Will I need to undergo tests?
  • Will I need an endoscopy?
  • Is my health problem chronic or temporary?
  • What is the best treatment plan for my problem?
  • What alternatives are there that you can suggest for my problem?
  • I suffer from other health problems. What can I do to best manage them along with this problem?
  • Do I need to follow certain restrictions?
  • Do I need to see a specialist? How much will that cost and will it be covered by my insurance?
  • Are there generic alternatives for the medicines you prescribe?
  • Do you have any printed material or brochures I can bring home? Do you recommend websites where I can learn more about my condition?
  • Do I need a follow-up appointment?

You may have other questions to ask your doctor. Do not be afraid to ask them all because you need to stay informed as best as possible in order to cope well with your condition.

What you can expect from your doctor

There are questions your doctor will need to ask you. You need to answer all of them as truthfully as possible in order for the doctor to correctly treat your condition. Take your time in answering these questions as some of them may require you to think thoroughly of the right answers.   Some of the doctor’s questions may look like these:

  • What are your symptoms?
  • When was the first time you’ve experienced them?
  • Describe your symptoms? Have they been occasional or frequently occurring?
  • Are your symptoms severe?
  • Are you forced to wake up because of your symptoms?
  • What makes your symptoms improve?
  • What makes your symptoms worse?
  • Do you feel worsening symptoms when you lie down or after a meal?
  • Do you experience vomiting or nausea?
  • Do you experience sour material or food coming up to the back of your throat?
  • Do you have swallowing problems?
  • Did you lose or gain weight?

 

Acupuncture Health Center
1303 Astor St #101
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 715-1824
https://www.bellinghamacupuncturecenter.com/