A brain AVM may be diagnosed in an emergency situation, immediately after bleeding ( hemorrhage) has occurred.

It may also be detected after other symptoms prompt a brain scan.

But in some cases, a brain AVM is found incidentally while diagnosing or treating an unrelated medical condition. You may then be referred to a doctor who specializes in conditions of the brain and nervous system ( neurologist or neurosurgeon) . Because appointments can be brief and there' s often a lot of ground to cover, it can help to be well prepared. Here are some tips to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do Be aware of any pre- appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there' s anything you need to do in advance. Write down any symptoms you' re experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment. Make a list of all medications, including vitamins, herbs and over- the- counter drugs, that you' re taking. Even better, take the original bottles and a written list of the dosages and directions.

Take along a family member or friend. It can be difficult to absorb all the information provided to you during an appointment. The person who accompanies you may remember something that you forgot or missed. Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Don' t be afraid to ask questions that may come up during your appointment. List your questions from most important to least important in case your time with your doctor runs out. For brain AVM, some basic questions to ask your doctor include: What are other possible causes for my symptoms?

What tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis?

What are my treatment options and the pros and cons for each?

What results can I expect? What kind of follow- up should I expect? The neurologist is likely to ask about your symptoms, if any, conduct a medical exam and schedule tests to confirm the diagnosis. The tests gather information about the size and location of the AVM to help direct your treatment options. He or she may ask: When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?

Have your symptoms been continuous, or occasional? How severe are your symptoms? What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms? What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms? & copy; 1998- 2011 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research ( MFMER) .

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If you have signs or symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease, make an appointment to see your doctor or other health care provider.

Appointments can be brief and there' s often a lot of ground to cover, so be well prepared for your appointment. Here' s some information on what you can do to get ready and what to expect from your doctor. What you can do Be aware of any pre- appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, ask if there' s anything you need to do in advance.

Write down any symptoms you' re experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment. Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you' re taking.

Write down questions to ask your doctor. What kinds of tests do I need? Do I have a sexually transmitted infection? Should my partner be tested or treated?

Should I abstain from sexual activity during treatment?

How long should I wait? How can I prevent future episodes of pelvic inflammatory disease? Will this affect my ability to become pregnant? Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you' re prescribing me?

Can I be treated at home?

Or will I need to go to a hospital?

Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What websites do you recommend?

Under what circumstances should I plan for a follow- up visit? What to expect from your doctor Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as: Do you have a new sexual partner or multiple partners? Do you always use condoms? When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?

What are your symptoms? Are you experiencing any pelvic pain? How severe are your symptoms? & copy; 1998- 2011 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research ( MFMER) .