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Doctor Prep
Bring a clearer history and better questions to conversations about your digestion.
A clearer starting point
Get familiar with the details.
Bring a clearer history and better questions to conversations about your digestion. Start with one question, then follow the connections that help you understand your own observations.
- Appointment preparation
- Symptom history
- Questions to ask
- Reports and sharing
11 guides
Preparing for your healthcare appointment
8 minute read
How to prepare for a gastroenterologist appointment
Prepare a clear symptom summary, medicine list, records, and questions for a gastroenterologist, with a checklist for what to confirm before the visit.
Explore9 minute read
What to Bring to a Dietitian Appointment for IBS
What to bring to a dietitian appointment for IBS or food intolerance: a 1–2 week food and stool log, test results, medicines, what you've tried, and your goals.
Explore10 minute read
Food Allergy Diary: What to Record for Your Allergist
A food allergy diary helps your allergist take an accurate history. What to record (ingredients, timing, symptoms, cofactors), a sample entry, and when to call 911.
Explore9 minute read
How Long Is the Wait to See a Gastroenterologist?
How long does it take to get an appointment with a gastroenterologist? US surveys put it at 40–48 days. Here's how to get seen sooner and what to track meanwhile.
Explore8 minute read
GI Symptom Checklist for Your Appointment
Organize bowel habits, pain, symptoms, medicines, history and questions using an on-page checklist for your gastroenterologist appointment.
Explore10 minute read
How to Describe Abdominal Pain to Your Doctor
How to describe abdominal pain to your doctor: location, type, timing, triggers and severity, with a word bank, a pain-log example and red flags for urgent care.
Explore9 minute read
How to Describe Your Poop to a Doctor: What to Tell Them
What to tell your doctor about bowel movements: Bristol type, frequency, color, urgency, straining and blood, with a word-for-word script and an example log.
Explore10 minute read
Questions to Ask Your Gastroenterologist (IBS & First Visit)
Questions to ask a gastroenterologist at your first visit, about IBS, and at follow-ups, plus the questions your GI doctor will ask you and how to answer with data.
Explore8 minute read
How to Share Your Symptom Diary With Your Doctor
How to share a symptom diary with your doctor: summarize food, stool and symptom logs on one page, pick a format (PDF, print, portal) and protect your privacy.
Explore9 minute read
Symptom Diary: How to Keep One Your Doctor Will Use
How to keep a symptom diary your doctor will actually read: what to log, how often, a filled example week, and how to turn it into a one-page summary.
Explore14 minute read
Change in Bowel Habits: When to See a Doctor
A change in bowel habits that lasts weeks, or comes with blood, weight loss or night symptoms, needs a doctor. Here's how to tell which changes to track instead.
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