All medical professionals are pressed for time. They face increased regulatory pressures and proper record keeping, which is required for insurance reimbursement. Various research results indicate that “trained” patients were able to achieve better health when dealing with chronic diseases. For example, trained diabetic patients had better improved HbA1c levels than “untrained” patients with both groups utilizing about the same amount of office visit time with doctors. This is an indicator that asking lots of questions and telling medical professionals what you wish to achieve from your care helps to improve results. Here is how to accomplish more for yourself from every medical encounter.
Before your appointment, concisely write the issues or problems you want to address during the visit. List the symptoms one by one. Note any changes in lifestyle, work, nutrition, stress or other areas of your life. Try to deal with one priority issue per visit as time is limited, answer every question your doctor has in detail, and provide a written record. Instead of saying your blood sugar has been running high, show a log of recorded blood glucose results. Instead of saying you have been having headaches, note when they occur, the circumstances surrounding their onset, how long they last, and what you have been doing to relieve the pain. Doctors take in information to make a diagnosis. They can only make a diagnosis based on information they receive. The more information you give them, the higher level of care your physician can provide.
You can just go in for your exam to look for cavities and other problems along with having your teeth cleaned, or you can speak up and tell your dental health professional what you want out of your smile. Modern dentistry practices like Cloverleaf Dental Center make it easy to get the smile you have always wanted. Crooked, chipped, discolored and missing teeth can all be fixed without pain by using state-of-the-art dentistry. You can have a brilliant smile by choosing the proper dental option to suit your individual needs. If you do not like your smile, you can make it into what you want it to be. Sometimes, it can be accomplished in a single visit! Ask about options such as dental implants to replace missing teeth to never have to wear a partial, or ask about veneers to give you those brilliant pearly whites you have always wanted. A new smile may just be the perfect makeover that makes you shine.
This is one area that is often neglected. Many may broach the subject of depression or anxiety with a primary care physician, but they may never seek the insight from a medical professional specifically trained in mental health issues. This is usually due to preconceived notions about a stigma of seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist along with unfounded rumors about medications used to treat common psychological issues. However, if you want to feel the best that you can, your mental health is part of that. There are modern therapies available to treat problems with depression, anxiety and other conditions that do not always require long-term use of medication. Plus, if medications are warranted, there are new ones available that are well-tolerated and can help you be your best again.
If a health condition is keeping you from being the best you can be, do what you can to get it corrected or at least controlled. If a mental health issue is preventing you from living out your dreams, seek out the help you need to be the best that you can be. If you keep wondering what a tummy tuck or facelift might do for your self-esteem, begin to ask questions and set a goal to get the work done. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be healthier, look better and feel better. Take steps today to make the most of the life you have. Small steps can lead to radical changes for the better!
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.