Whether we are experiencing mild stomach pain or symptoms of a cold or flu, the first thing that comes to our mind is to call our GP. However, you should not only be reaching out to your doctor when you are experiencing health issues. From time to time, you should get in touch with your GP to find out about your health conditions so that you can make appropriate lifestyle changes where necessary.
Staying in touch with your GP will not only help you when you are ill, but it will also help you stay updated with your health status, take your medications and comply with treatment plans. On that note, the questions below are some of the questions you can ask your doctor on your next visit.
Why is it important for me to take this medication?
Although your GP knows better than you do about your health situation, it does not mean that you do not deserve some information about the medications they prescribe to you. In fact, you should see this as an opportunity to engage in an open discussion about the treatment you are receiving.
Their experience, skills, knowledge and years of training makes them the one to decide which treatment is best for you. However, you are still entitled to deliver some feedback on what you may know. This feedback will even help the doctor choose the best and most appropriate treatment option for you.
Is there a preventive care service that you can recommend for me?
There is a saying that we all must have heard of at some point in our lives, and it says that ‘prevention is better than cure’. This is to say that you being healthy today might not be the case tomorrow. If you are in a good medical shape today, the best thing to do for yourself would be to participate in preventive care in order to maintain the state of your health. Even if you are in good health, your doctor may suspect that you may be susceptible to a specific illness as a result of your lifestyle or genetic factors.
When you participate or engage in any preventive care service, you can keep yourself healthy and maintain the quality of your life. So do yourself a favour today, and ask your doctor for a recommendation of preventive care service.
How is my health affected by my genetic factor?
We all know that our genetic factors and family medical history can affect our health and life. For instance, if a close family member like a sibling, a parent or grandparent has a certain disease, the chances that you can have that same disease are very high. This is because several diseases like autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular problems, diabetes and even cancer can be passed down from one generation to the next and so on.
For example, gene mutations like BRCA1 and BRCA2 elevate the risks of breast cancer and ovarian cancer. When you consult your GP, you will get the relevant information you need concerning your family’s medical history and your chances or risks. With changes to your lifestyle and going for regular examinations, it will be much easier to spot these signs that accompany hereditary diseases early enough and tackle them accordingly.
Do I have any reason to be worried or concerned?
It is normal to feel nervous during examinations or evaluations by your doctor. However, it is another thing to make those concerns known to the doctor. After your examination, feel free to let your doctor know if something is not right. It could be a concern, or it could be a problem that is an underlying symptom of something much more serious. For example, if you feel numbness in your finger, it could be a symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes or even stroke. When you ask this question, you will find out if it is a serious condition or something mild. Being upfront about any complaint or concern will help the doctor address the issue and know what they are dealing with. Your fears will be addressed head-on, and you will have more information about your condition.
Should I see you again?
Depending on the severity of your condition, you may have to see your doctor more often or less often. If your health issues or condition are mild and easily treatable, you may not have to see your doctor regularly. However, your doctor will be in a better position to judge if you need preventive care or treatment. If this is the case, then you will have to see your doctor on a regular basis. Note that the whole point of seeing your doctor regularly is for you to maintain good health. For this arrangement to work, you will have to work with your doctor. The services provided by a private GP in London are vast and goes way beyond medical care. We offer consultation, medical services and follow up medical check-up to ensure that you remain healthy. For more information about the services we offer, contact us at Private Doctor London. We will answer any questions you may have. Get in touch with us today by giving us a call to book an appointment or by sending us an email.