HEALTH: Questions to ask your DOCTOR

Amica Pickering did a presentation dealing with QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR DOCTOR and there were many valuable suggestions and much good advice.

Lisa Furlong, the presenter of this information session is Director of Wellness, Amica Pickering.

These are the important points of the presentation ” Questions to ask your doctor “

Be flexible with appointment time
Make appointment times that are optimal for maximizing time spent with the doctor. If you need time to discuss things in more detail, best ask the doctor’s receptionist for an appointment time when you will have more time for discussion with the doctor.
When to see your doctor
As doctors’ appointment times are limited and narrow in duration, you should be in real need for an appointment:
Call Emergency…call 911 if you are experiencing these symptoms:
                   Shortness of breath
                   ● Chest pains
                   ● pain down one side, upper body
Annual physical:
Ask your doctor for a thorough annual physical which includes:
Blood work for particular aspects like sugar levels, hormone levels
Blood pressure evaluation and explanation
Doctor should consider and know your family history particularly for known issues such as cancer, diabetes and heart incidents.
Discuss with your doctor (or pharmacist):
your various medications:
                   the need, their effects, their side-effects
          alternate, less intrusive alternatives to your prescriptions
          conflicting medications that may not be compatible with other ones you take
Get to know your pharmacist:
get to know your pharmacist so you can discuss:
new medications, their use, their effects, their side effects
LONG TERM CARE
older adults, especially those living on their own, should consider
                   getting a HOME CARE EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT
                             Are you safe living on your own?
                             Should you have home care assistance? At what level?