After years of being a Doctor, I realized that some people get more out of their Doctors visits than others.  I spent a lot of time trying to understand what was it about the people who got the most from there Doctors visit.  Let me share with you some of the characteristics of the people who get the most from their Doctors visits.

FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH YOUR MEDICATION. This will really get your Doctors attention and let him know you are interested in your health.

 

ASK QUESTIONS,  IT'S BEST TO HAVE QUESTIONS WRITTEN DOWN. Many times people are intimidated by a Doctors presence, and are afraid to let us know you don't understand something about your illness.  Relax.  Doctors don't expect everyone to understand their illness.  So next time you have a Doctor visit have a few questions written down.  Your Doctor should easily answer a question that you thought was so complex.

 

HAS YOUR DOCTOR CHECKED YOUR CHOLESTEROL? They should.  If you are over twenty get it checked.  The prevention of heart attacks and strokes start with knowing your cholesterol level.

 

ARE YOU REALLY TAKING YOUR MEDICINES? It is not that unusual for people to skip doses of medication.  You have to be honest about this one

 

DO YOU HAVE A CLOSE FRIEND OR RELATIVE GETTING FORGETFUL? They may need help but are afraid to ask for help with their medications or doctor visits.  Next time you visit your aging relative and they seem to have an excess of medications, get all the medications together and go to the Doctors visit with the aging relative.  It is common for elderly people to have outdated medicines, or duplicate medicines from different Doctors.

 

ARE YOU ON MEDICATION THAT YOU NEED LABWORK/BLOOD MONITORING? Coumadin?, lanoxin? thophylline? dilantin? thyroid pills? diuretics/water pills? These medications can alter certain substances in your blood creating harmful situations.  So make sure you stay under your doctors supervision while you are on them, and do not stop, increase or decrease the dosage without consulting you physician.