news
12-09-2015, 03:30 PM
By: Marina Komarovsky (https://www.thrillist.com/authors/marina-komarovsky?utm_source=huffingtonpost&utm_medium=syn&utm_term=web&utm_campaign=healthyliving)
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Credit: Flickr/Alex Proimos (https://www.flickr.com/photos/proimos/6870109454/)
Going to the doctor probably isn't on your list of hobbies, but since there's virtually a 100% chance you'll end up in a physician's office at some point in your life, you might as well make the most of your time there. But once you've made an appointment, left work, and read National Geographic magazines from the '70s, how do you know you're ready for the moment of truth?
We asked some docs about the mistakes that people make before, during, and after they come in for a checkup -- and how to optimize those precious few minutes you get with a real, live physician.
More: Everything You Need to Know About Not Getting Sick This Winter (https://www.thrillist.com/health/nation/how-to-avoid-catching-the-cold-and-flu?utm_source=huffingtonpost&utm_medium=syn&utm_term=web&utm_campaign=healthyliving&vc=4014)
Not treating your choice of doctor as though your life depends on it
The number one thing that can make going to the doctor better is choosing one you like, which takes some time and research. That sucks, but being sick and desperate for a prescription sucks worse.
"Picking a doctor should be like picking a sherpa," says Dr. Adnan Khera (http://www.doctorbedancing.com/who-am-i/) of Tufts Medical Center in Boston. Sherpas are pretty important! You want someone you trust and can develop a good rapport with. And be honest with yourself: gender may be a legitimate factor (if you're a dude who doesn't want to tell a lady doc about an issue down there, that's not going to work, and vice versa). Get recommendations from people you trust (i.e., take Yelp with a grain of salt), and if you don't jive with someone, don't hesitate to make a change.
http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2015-12-09-1449677408-4709882-Doctor_2-thumb.jpg (http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2015-12-09-1449677408-4709882-Doctor_2.jpg)
Credit: Flickr/Herry Lawford (https://www.flickr.com/photos/herry/6348660073/)
Thinking physicals are unnecessary
Once you have a doctor, go. No, seriously. Going to the doctor when you're healthy may seem like an invitation to illness, but it gives you a great excuse to take a long lunch break. It's also an opportunity to screen for issues you'd rather not think about (getting those STD tests done, for example), figure out what to watch out for in the future, and update your vaccinations.
And don't worry about being judged by your doc if you haven't exactly treated your body like a temple: "Do not avoid going to the doctor because you are worried you have fallen off the wagon," advises Dr. Cara Heller (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cara-heller-73883b5) of Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia. The best case scenario is that you find out you're perfectly healthy, and if not, you can start getting there.
http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2015-12-09-1449677462-3909347-Doctor_3-thumb.jpeg (http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2015-12-09-1449677462-3909347-Doctor_3.jpeg)
Credit: Flickr/e-Magine Art (https://www.flickr.com/photos/emagineart/4742089272/)
Messing with your medication
When your physician prescribes something or makes a recommendation, it's not just for the hell of it. Don't stray from the plan without letting your physician know! "One problem is taking non-FDA approved drugs. A lot of them are harmful," explains Dr. Edward Chu of Massachusetts General Hospital. "Another one is stopping a medication early instead of finishing the entire course," which is especially important with antibiotics.
Remaining willfully ignorant of your and your family's history
Have your facts straight on your own health and your family's -- did granddaddy really die of natural causes? What was that medicine you took when you were eight that turned your face into a giant pumpkin and sent you to the ER? "The more you know about your medical history, the better," advises Dr. Heller. "This includes any medicines you've been on, what worked, what didn't, and any crazy side effects you've had. Come prepared."
To find out what other mistakes you're making at the doctor, get the full story at Thrillist.com! (https://www.thrillist.com/health/nation/mistakes-to-avoid-at-the-doctors-office?utm_source=huffingtonpost&utm_medium=syn&utm_term=web&utm_campaign=healthyliving)
More from Thrillist:
What You Should (and Shouldn't) Eat When You're Sick (https://www.thrillist.com/health/nation/the-best-and-worst-foods-to-eat-when-youre-sick?utm_source=huffingtonpost&utm_medium=syn&utm_term=web&utm_campaign=healthyliving)
Do You Really Need to Get a Flu Shot? (https://www.thrillist.com/health/nation/flu-vaccine-facts-live-virus-and-other-flu-shot-myths?utm_source=huffingtonpost&utm_medium=syn&utm_term=web&utm_campaign=healthyliving&vc=4014)
Like Thrillist on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Thrillist (http://www.facebook.com/thrillist?utm_source=huffingtonpost&utm_medium=syn&utm_term=web&utm_campaign=healthyliving) -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. (http://start.westnet.ca/newstempch.php?article=terms.html/) It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
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http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2015-12-09-1449677309-9354940-Doctor_1-thumb.jpeg (http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2015-12-09-1449677309-9354940-Doctor_1.jpeg)
Credit: Flickr/Alex Proimos (https://www.flickr.com/photos/proimos/6870109454/)
Going to the doctor probably isn't on your list of hobbies, but since there's virtually a 100% chance you'll end up in a physician's office at some point in your life, you might as well make the most of your time there. But once you've made an appointment, left work, and read National Geographic magazines from the '70s, how do you know you're ready for the moment of truth?
We asked some docs about the mistakes that people make before, during, and after they come in for a checkup -- and how to optimize those precious few minutes you get with a real, live physician.
More: Everything You Need to Know About Not Getting Sick This Winter (https://www.thrillist.com/health/nation/how-to-avoid-catching-the-cold-and-flu?utm_source=huffingtonpost&utm_medium=syn&utm_term=web&utm_campaign=healthyliving&vc=4014)
Not treating your choice of doctor as though your life depends on it
The number one thing that can make going to the doctor better is choosing one you like, which takes some time and research. That sucks, but being sick and desperate for a prescription sucks worse.
"Picking a doctor should be like picking a sherpa," says Dr. Adnan Khera (http://www.doctorbedancing.com/who-am-i/) of Tufts Medical Center in Boston. Sherpas are pretty important! You want someone you trust and can develop a good rapport with. And be honest with yourself: gender may be a legitimate factor (if you're a dude who doesn't want to tell a lady doc about an issue down there, that's not going to work, and vice versa). Get recommendations from people you trust (i.e., take Yelp with a grain of salt), and if you don't jive with someone, don't hesitate to make a change.
http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2015-12-09-1449677408-4709882-Doctor_2-thumb.jpg (http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2015-12-09-1449677408-4709882-Doctor_2.jpg)
Credit: Flickr/Herry Lawford (https://www.flickr.com/photos/herry/6348660073/)
Thinking physicals are unnecessary
Once you have a doctor, go. No, seriously. Going to the doctor when you're healthy may seem like an invitation to illness, but it gives you a great excuse to take a long lunch break. It's also an opportunity to screen for issues you'd rather not think about (getting those STD tests done, for example), figure out what to watch out for in the future, and update your vaccinations.
And don't worry about being judged by your doc if you haven't exactly treated your body like a temple: "Do not avoid going to the doctor because you are worried you have fallen off the wagon," advises Dr. Cara Heller (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cara-heller-73883b5) of Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia. The best case scenario is that you find out you're perfectly healthy, and if not, you can start getting there.
http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2015-12-09-1449677462-3909347-Doctor_3-thumb.jpeg (http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2015-12-09-1449677462-3909347-Doctor_3.jpeg)
Credit: Flickr/e-Magine Art (https://www.flickr.com/photos/emagineart/4742089272/)
Messing with your medication
When your physician prescribes something or makes a recommendation, it's not just for the hell of it. Don't stray from the plan without letting your physician know! "One problem is taking non-FDA approved drugs. A lot of them are harmful," explains Dr. Edward Chu of Massachusetts General Hospital. "Another one is stopping a medication early instead of finishing the entire course," which is especially important with antibiotics.
Remaining willfully ignorant of your and your family's history
Have your facts straight on your own health and your family's -- did granddaddy really die of natural causes? What was that medicine you took when you were eight that turned your face into a giant pumpkin and sent you to the ER? "The more you know about your medical history, the better," advises Dr. Heller. "This includes any medicines you've been on, what worked, what didn't, and any crazy side effects you've had. Come prepared."
To find out what other mistakes you're making at the doctor, get the full story at Thrillist.com! (https://www.thrillist.com/health/nation/mistakes-to-avoid-at-the-doctors-office?utm_source=huffingtonpost&utm_medium=syn&utm_term=web&utm_campaign=healthyliving)
More from Thrillist:
What You Should (and Shouldn't) Eat When You're Sick (https://www.thrillist.com/health/nation/the-best-and-worst-foods-to-eat-when-youre-sick?utm_source=huffingtonpost&utm_medium=syn&utm_term=web&utm_campaign=healthyliving)
Do You Really Need to Get a Flu Shot? (https://www.thrillist.com/health/nation/flu-vaccine-facts-live-virus-and-other-flu-shot-myths?utm_source=huffingtonpost&utm_medium=syn&utm_term=web&utm_campaign=healthyliving&vc=4014)
Like Thrillist on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Thrillist (http://www.facebook.com/thrillist?utm_source=huffingtonpost&utm_medium=syn&utm_term=web&utm_campaign=healthyliving) -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. (http://start.westnet.ca/newstempch.php?article=terms.html/) It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
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