Digestive Health Symptoms to Pay Attention to Prior to Your Appointment

Most people book a gastroenterologists in Dubai appointment with a clear worry and an unclear story. They are asked how long the problem has been around, how frequent it is and what factors provoke it, and suddenly they get confused. Proper gastroenterology healthcare starts even before the appointment, with the help of some weeks' worth of easy-to-keep notes.

Frequency, timing, food triggers and change over weeks are some of the most helpful pieces of information you can provide the physician. Symptoms of digestive diseases are rather vague and similar to one another. Heartburn, bloating, constipation and abdominal pain can have various causes, which is why pattern recognition is more informative than the symptom itself.

Which digestive health symptoms should be recorded?

Indigestion or occasional heartburn after overeating is quite normal and usually goes away on its own. The problem becomes noteworthy when it is recurring, happens during several weeks or doesn't respond to basic treatments.

The following issues may be useful to track:

• heartburn or reflux: the frequency;

• bowel habits: how often you go to the bathroom and how your stools are – hard, loose, difficult to evacuate. Bowel movement three times a week is often regarded as the marker of constipation;

• bloating and pain: their location, duration and alleviation after eating, flatulence or bowel movement;

• appetite and weight: any changes that you have not planned;

• anything unusual in the toilet: blood, very dark or pale stools.

None of those symptoms can diagnose a condition on its own. Several disorders can cause the same symptom, and only the proper assessment can distinguish them.

Why should a digestive symptom diary be kept?

A digestive symptoms diary helps to transform your feeling of something wrong into the information that the doctor can use. It does not have to be complex. All it takes is a note in your phone containing the date, symptom, approximate time relative to eating and any changes in your lifestyle.

It helps you in other ways too. Many patients worry that their appointment will be brief and that they might forget the point that they wanted to tell. Written notes ensure that the discussion will revolve around what actually concerns you.

Symptoms that cannot be safely kept in a diary

Not all digestive issues require thorough observation. Some of them require immediate attention:

• blood in the stool or rectal bleeding especially accompanied by a change in bowel habits

• black, tarry stools

• unexplained weight loss

• difficulties swallowing

• vomiting

• jaundice

• abrupt, severe abdominal pain

In case of severe pain or bleeding, seek emergency care rather than scheduling an appointment. The presence of one of the mentioned symptoms does not indicate a serious condition. It means that the issue requires a thorough examination.

Finding out who should be consulted with

Some people are uncertain about whether to contact the GP or to schedule a visit with the gastroenterologist. Both courses of action are reasonable. A general practitioner will evaluate your symptoms and then refer you to a specialist, while a gastroenterology specialist in Dubai will focus solely on the digestive system, liver, pancreas and gallbladder.

If you would like to find out what gastroenterology in Dubai covers before scheduling an appointment, the gastroenterology page of Dubai London Clinics & Hospitals can equip you with helpful information. You can learn about the disorders treated there, the available endoscopic procedures and how to prepare for them. Knowing this information in advance will ease your first visit.

What happens during the gastroenterology consultation

The gastroenterology consultation is likely to start with the conversation. You will be asked about your symptoms, your medical and family history, medications you are taking and your diet and habits. You will be probably examined.

After that, the physician will offer blood or stool tests, X-ray or CT scan, endoscopy or colonoscopy in order to examine your digestive system. The choice depends on your symptoms, age, history and examination findings. Everybody is not required to undergo procedures and many people get a recommendation about changing their diet or using certain medications.

Every one of us silently wonders whether the issue is serious, whether he or she is seeing the right physician and whether somebody will listen. The best way to be prepared for the visit is to clearly describe your experience and to write down a few questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What symptoms should be tracked prior to gastroenterologist's appointment?

Record the symptoms that you are experiencing, when and how long it occurs and what provokes or alleviates it. Describe your bowel habits, appetite, weight changes and presence of blood or other unusual stool color. Don't forget about your medications and supplements, as some of them can affect your digestion. If you have a family history of gastrointestinal disorders or colorectal cancer, mention it as well.

Why keeping the symptoms diary is useful?

Your memory may not be perfect, especially for symptoms that come and go. Symptom diary shows the patterns that are hard to remember, such as the relationship between the symptoms and particular foods, stress or medicines. It also helps your doctor to assess the trend of your symptoms improvement or deterioration, which can influence the choice of tests, if necessary.

What information will be requested by gastroenterologist?

You will be probably asked about the duration, severity and provoking or alleviating factors of your symptoms. You will be definitely asked about your medical history, previously done procedures, family history, diet, alcohol consumption, smoking and medications. Bring the previous test results and reports in order not to retell your history again.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have concerns about your symptoms, talk to the qualified physician.