Make Every Appointment Count
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with high cholesterol, it is important to see your doctor regularly. Your doctor, like almost every doctor around the world, is probably a very busy person, and if you wake up in the middle of the night and have a question or concern, he or she probably does not have the time to speak with you again until your next appointment unless it is an emergency. To prevent this from happening, be sure to be prepared for every checkup. Being prepared for an examination can also help take away the anxiety some people feel when faced with an impending doctor’s office visit.
First, write down a list of anything you need to tell your doctor. Has your condition worsened or improved? Have you been feeling any side effects from medications he or she has prescribed? What other medications or dietary supplements have you been taking that he or she might not know about? This is especially useful if you are taking many medications as well as those to help lower your high cholesterol. Don’t expect to remember them all with the dosages when you get to the examination-its better to writer it down. Also note any concerns you have or questions you’ve thought of since your last visit. It’s a good idea to keep a running list somewhere handy where you can add questions as they arise and then get them answered all at once.
Next, prepare yourself for personal questions. You doctor does not judge, and although many questions he or she may ask might make you feel uncomfortable, they can help him or her know the best course of action to take in any given situation. Your doctor and you have a confidentiality agreement, so he or she cannot report you for drug use or other risky or illegal behavior in most cases. It may make you feel more comfortable to see a doctor of the same sex, so remember this when scheduling an appointment.
Lastly, be open to new suggestions. Ask your doctor questions about your current treatment and then ask what other courses of action you may also take to help lower your cholesterol or treat any other sort of disease or disorder. Don’t be afraid to tell your doctor that you don’t understand a particular idea-he or she has had many years of schooling and experience and may forget that you don’t know some of the terms he or she uses daily. If at any time your doctor refuses to explain something to you or asks you inappropriate questions, seek other medical professional options. However, by being prepared, you can make the most out of your examination and keep your body in the healthiest condition possible.
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