3 essential questions to ask your doctor at your next visit
Feb 19, 2019
As Ben Franklin said many moons ago, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” When we talk about chronic diseases and cancer, prevention is paramount. We’d much ratherpreventon the front end than have tocure.
但它看起来像一个活跃的角色in your preventive care?
It starts with knowing what questions to ask. These are the three most critical questions you should ask yourprimary care physicianduring your next office visit.
1. Why do I take the medications that I do?
Being aware of which medications you are on improves your understanding of your own health and facilitates an active discussion with your primary care physician or family medicine doctor. There is usually a distinct reason that you take the medications that you do at the dosage that you have. Understanding the risks, benefits
2. What can I do to reduce my risk of cardiovascular disease?
The leading cause of death in our country stems fromheart diseaseandstroke. While this number is slowly declining due to efforts in preventive care and focus on healthier living, the numbers remain staggering. A straightforward approach toassessing your cardiovascular riskis identifying your risk factors.
Your modifiable risk factors, meaning those that you can influence,
The first step in determining your personal risk for heart disease is to assess how healthy your lifestyle is and if there is any obvious disease in the family.
The first step in determining your personal risk for heart disease is to assess how healthy your lifestyle is and if there is any obvious disease in the family. The next step is seeing your primary care physician regularly to assess your blood pressure and get screened for diabetes and cholesterol.
For patients that have hypertension (high blood pressure),diabetesor high cholesterol, it is critical that you understand your medication regimen and adhere to it. Always be open with your doctor about what’s working and what’s not.
3. Are my cancer screenings up to date?
I hear this sentiment from patients too frequently: “I just wish I had gotten this screening done earlier.” Or, “I wish I had paid more attention to that nagging, uncomfortable sensation that I was feeling.” We all know the tollcancercan take on a person’s life, health
Cancer screening guidelines change intermittently, but the basic premise to understand is that screening is based on your age and gender. There are guidelines, but remember that they are only that — guidelines. Talk to your primary care physician about what screening schedule is right for you. Screening for cancer is the easiest investment you can make in your health.
Here are a few key screening guidelines to keep in mind:
- Everyone shouldget screened for colon cancerthrough colonoscopy or novel stool sampling cards starting at the age of 45, unless you have risk factors, including a personal or family history of colon cancer.
- Smokers should get screened for lung cancer starting at age 55.
- Women should be screened forcervical cancerstarting at 21 years of age, and start getting mammograms starting at age 40 or 50 depending on personal preference and risk factors.
- Men should have a discussion with their doctor regardingprostate cancer screeningstarting at the age of 50.
The next time you have an appointment with your primary care provider, I encourage you to have an active discussion about your health. Our goal as physicians is to promote your health, prevent disease and empower you to a healthier life.
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