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During your next visit, ask your doctor the right questions to take charge of your health. This can help ensure you're getting necessary screenings and treatment plans. It's also a good way to clarify any worries that might arise when something new or unfamiliar happens to your body.
Recently, Bustle spoke with a group of doctors about the types of questions they hope their patients would ask during appointments. The questions ranged from ‘What screenings do you recommend based on my age?’ to ‘Are all these vitamins really necessary for me?’
You may be taking a multivitamin because you believe it’s a healthy choice or perhaps you added a supplement after a friend's recommendation. However, it’s your doctor who should be your go-to resource when it comes to supplements, especially if you're already on prescribed medication. According to Dr. Lisa Doggett, ‘Most people don’t need many supplements, especially if they have a balanced diet,’ but advertising can cause widespread confusion on the matter.
We consulted with a few doctors to find out what questions patients should ask during their yearly checkups. Here’s a list of their recommendations, along with why these inquiries are so crucial:
What are my numbers, and what do they indicate?
Dr. Kristine Arthur, MD, an internist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, suggests you pay attention to the key numbers your doctor and nurse monitor during your annual checkup, and make sure you understand what they signify.
Dr. Arthur emphasizes the importance of being aware of your last BMI (body mass index) reading, as well as your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and fasting blood sugar results. These are routine checks during an annual physical and can easily be assessed with a blood test. It’s helpful to ask for the results and even keep a printed record of your vital signs and lab results from each visit for future comparison.
Should I be worried about a recent change in my body?
If you notice a new mole, experience sudden chest pain, observe irregularities in your menstrual cycle, feel a change in your energy or emotional state, or detect any other alterations in your physical or mental health, make sure to inform your doctor.
Before seeing your doctor, write down the unusual symptom. Record what you observed, when it occurred, and whether it happens consistently, sporadically, or occasionally. This way, you'll have valuable information to bring to your appointment and won’t forget any important details.
“Make a note of all medical concerns you wish to discuss,” advises Dr. David Cutler, MD, family medicine physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.
As many have learned, raising unexpected symptoms can lead to higher medical costs. “Some of these issues are not considered preventive, so they don’t fall under the free routine preventive care mandated by the Affordable Care Act,” Cutler explains. “This means there could be separate billing and charges for concerns like high blood pressure, skin conditions, cough, back pain, irregular periods, or other medical complaints.”
This doesn’t mean you should adopt a wait-and-see approach or delay addressing concerns until they’ve persisted for a year, like thinking you’ll only bring up a persistent cough later. “Don’t keep putting things off,” advises Arthur. “It may be intimidating to address troubling symptoms, but acting sooner increases the chances of a better outcome.”
Am I up-to-date with my preventative healthcare?
If you've been with the same doctors for a while, they likely have a record of your preventative care history (such as mammograms, Pap smears, tetanus shots, etc.). However, many of us switch doctors more frequently than we wish, whether due to relocating or because our doctor no longer participates in our health insurance network.
Doctors tend to be proactive when it comes to preventative care—I’ve never visited an OB-GYN who didn’t bring up whether it’s time for another Pap smear—but it’s still a good practice to keep track of the vaccinations, tests, and screenings you’ve received in past appointments and to check with your doctor about any upcoming routine tests or vaccines.
If you’re concerned about the cost of all these visits, remember the saying about an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure also applies to your deductible. “Numerous studies have shown that good primary care helps reduce healthcare costs and prevents complications by addressing issues early,” Cutler reminds us. “So, make sure to tell your physician what’s on your mind during your annual checkup. And write it down so you don’t forget to ask.”
