8 Things Your Doctor Wants to Tell You
By Amanda Greene
Whether you're feeling sick or trying to stay healthy, there's one person who you can always call for guidance. But while your general practitioner is a pro at assisting you, it turns out there are a few things you can do to lend him a hand as well. From what you should bring to your appointment to important changes to report, find out eight ways you can help your doctor help you.
1. Come with an open mind.
If you're like most people, you probably search the Internet to find out what is wrong with you before heading to the doctor. But just because you came up with a Web diagnosis, doesn't mean you shouldn't be open to other ideas. "While I do welcome every patient's input, please hear us out," says Cheryl Wu, MD, a pediatrician at LaGuardia Place Pediatrics in New York City. "Good doctors have all received vigorous training in asking the exact right questions, ticking off mental checklists and performing an objective physical exam. Extensive training and objectivity are what make us good."
2. Be honest.
"The purpose of your appointment is not to please your doctor," says Alireza Etemadi, MD, a board-certified family physician and medical director at Doctors Express in Oceanside, California. So while many people have a tendency to exaggerate (Do you really exercise as much as you say you do?), the goal of your visit should be to "discuss the matter at hand and find out what you have to do to get--or stay--healthy." Beating around the bush will only delay a diagnosis and the creation of an appropriate action plan. Plus, according to Gary Rogg, MD, an internist at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City, the longer you wait to get something diagnosed-be it a blood pressure problem, a sugar issue or cancer-the more untreatable it becomes.
3. Write down your questions and bring them with you.
"The healthiest patients I have are the ones who come in with pieces of paper full of notes and questions that they've written down," says Dr. Etemadi. By coming to your visit prepared, you're less likely to forget to report important symptoms or ask pressing questions. And according to Dr. Wu, this is not the time to be shy, so go ahead and ask your questions at the beginning of your appointment so that your doc is sure to address them all.
4. Tell us what vitamins and supplements you're taking.
Although those over-the-counter pills seem harmless, it's important to let your doctor know you're taking them. "We need to know about them because sometimes there is too much of a good thing," says Kelly Clark, MD, a family physician in Traverse City, Michigan. "If you have too much of certain vitamains, your body may excrete the excess. But sometimes the surplus can build up in your body and affect your organs." Plus, she explains, some vitamins and supplements can interact with your prescribed medications. To avoid potentially dangerous interactions, be candid about what you're taking. Dr. Clark also recommends bringing in the bottles so that your physician can read all of the added ingredients and tell you the correct dosage to take.
Find out everything you need to know about vitamins.
5. You don't need to remember everything we tell you.
Doctor-speak can be completely confusing. "Most of what we say sounds like mumbo jumbo," admits Dr. Wu. "The best thing you can say is, 'Wait, can you write that down?' Most doctors will be happy to." And if they act irritated by the request, you might want to find a new physician-you want an MD who will take the time to address your concerns.
6. Don't stop taking medications without telling us.
When you feel better it's fine to quit popping those prescription pills, right? Wrong, insists Dr. Clark, who warns that stopping medicines without telling your doctor can have serious side effects. "Some medications you must come off of slowly because your body gets used to them-stopping abruptly can make you feel terrible. Plus, your doctor might think that you're being protected from something (like a stroke or heart attack) and, if you stop your meds, that protection goes away."
7. Follow-up appointments are important.
If you think that follow-up visits are a waste of time-or an excuse for your doc to pump you for more money-think again. "These visits are the crux of preventative care," says Dr. Wu. "We want to make sure you're taking your medication correctly, not suffering any side effects and talk to you again about your medical condition. Complex medical problems-even one as common as asthma--take about four times of discussion for people to really comprehend them." Plus, she adds, the more times you've met with your physician, the more comfortable and less embarrassed you are about bringing up things that bother you. "It's a win-win situation."
8. Sort out your insurance before your appointment.
"Insurance can be a big, practical issue because if we send patients for tests and they don't use participating facilities, they won't get the coverage they were expecting," says Dr. Rogg. To avoid a headache-and extra costs-at the front desk, inspect your insurance at home so that you know what's covered and what isn't.
Original article appeared on WomansDay.com
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