Preparing for an appointment

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

When you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as not taking medicine for your congestion beforehand.

Make a list of:

• Your symptoms, including any that seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment, and when they began
• Key personal information, including recent illnesses, major stresses or recent life changes
• All medications, vitamins or supplements you take, including doses
• Questions to ask your doctor

For nonallergic rhinitis, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

• What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?
• What tests do I need?
• Is my condition likely temporary or long lasting?
• What treatments are available, and which do you recommend for me?
• I have other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions together?
• Are there brochures or other printed materials I can have? What websites do you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you questions, including:

• Do you have symptoms all the time or do they come and go?
• How severe are your symptoms?
• Does anything seem to improve your symptoms?
• What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
• What medications have you tried for your symptoms? Has anything helped?
• Do your symptoms worsen when you eat spicy foods, drink alcohol or take certain medications?
• Are you regularly exposed to fumes, chemicals or other airborne irritants?