Health
Don't Fib to Your Doctor!
By
Nov 20, 2008 - 5:13:48 PM

Canyon Ranch (Arizona)

You spent the past year intending to exercise and saying "yes" to buttered popcorn and calorie bombs in crackly wrappers. You only smoke when you're stressed, so in a way it keeps you relaxed and healthy, right? But Wednesday is your annual physical. What to do? Come clean.

No cheating
You want an A on your physical exam, but you have a sneaking feeling you'll be lucky to earn a D. Drat. You know all the details of your lifestyle, but surely your doctor needn't. Maybe you could bend the facts to look a little better?

Whoa. Rethink that mindset. To understand what's going on with your health, your doctor needs to know your innermost secrets. You have a good rapport -it's why you chose her in the first place. If you smoke, or drink a daily margarita or three, it's okay to say so. In fact, it's vital that you come clean.

Telling your doctor you exercise when you've forgotten the way to the gym, or that you're still taking those pills you tossed in the back of your sock drawer is like buying an expensive new outfit that's four sizes too small in a color that doesn't suit you. It's a waste of money and doesn't help you to look or feel good.

Do you shrink from boring your friends with details about your ailments?
Good news: Your doctor actually wants to know how you are.

Note to self
Take a list with you. Make it concise, because if you get carried away, you'll run out of time. Focus on three to five issues at most. Your doctor also needs to know the following:
- Any current problems
- Any recent hospitalizations or surgeries
- List of medications - these you really need to write down, since doctors need to know dosages. Do not assume that your doctor knows about all your prescriptions. Be sure to include all the supplements and herbs you're taking.
- New reactions to medications
- Any bad habits
- New changes in family history, such as recent heart attacks or cancer in any near relatives.
- Reports of any labs, tests or X-rays by other doctors. List any new problems or concerns. Symptoms like mild chest tightness, shortness of breath when exercising or swollen legs could be foretelling early heart disease. Changes in weight may mean thyroid disease. Sleep problems are also extremely important, since they can be caused by medications or by treatable conditions like sleep apnea. Your doctor gets just one blood pressure reading, but if you're nervous it could appear overly high. To guard against this phenomenon, sometimes dubbed "white coat syndrome," check your blood pressure a few times and record the readings. Many fire stations and pharmacies offer free blood pressure checks.

Don't keep secrets
Good communication brings good results. Tell the doctor if you've adopted a new diet or exercise program, and if you're using any alternative therapies. And it pays to be open about any new stresses. If you're going through a divorce or your mother died, it's going to affect your health. Your migraines may be caused by the fact that your twenty-something daughter has moved back into the house. Let your doctor know about any significant difficulties you're having.

Provide feedback.
Did you stop taking your blood pressure medication because it made you feel like chewed string? Maybe you need a lower dose or a change of medication. If the doctor finds your blood pressure is out of control, and you didn't explain that you stopped taking your medication, he's likely to prescribe more. Which you won't take because it makes you feel like . well, you get the picture.

Your doctor is there to work with you to be your best. Think of your annual physical as a private wellness class, with your physician as your personal trainer. To get top results, be open and come prepared, so your doctor can help you come up with a realistic plan for your life that fits you just right.

http://www.canyonranch.com/
(800) 742-9000

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