Do you ever lie to your doctors or dentists about things you think are small?
An Empowher news story today discusses how even "small" lies can be detrimental to your health:
http://empowher.com/news/definition/2008/10/07/lies-women-tell-their-doc...
Do you stretch the truth about flossing? You could prevent your dentist and doctor from suspecting cardiovascular disease.
Do you underreport how much you drink? You may be at risk for drug and alcohol interactions.
Do you fudge a little on your sexual habits or history of STDs? You'll handicap your gynecologist as she interprets what she sees in your body.
Do you overreport how much you exercise? If so, your doctor has the wrong information when she's treating your high blood pressure or cholesterol.
The story goes into detail about many areas women regularly lie to their doctors, and what the possible risks are in each instance. It's a good read.
How about you? Are you keeping anything from your doctor that might be hurting your health?
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For whatever reason, some of us simply hate to go to the doctor's, and I am one. I'm always afraid that mine will find one more health issue that just shouldn't fit my lifestyle profile or family health history. On the other hand, my DH tries to gloss over his smoking and other unhealthy habits in complete denial about how they affect his health, preferring to focus on the odd scar on his abdomen or age spots.
Being your own, best personal health historian is the most helpful to your physician that you can be as the patient. Otherwise, as the article suggests, you're taking your health in your hands and possibly withholding important information that could impact your care.
I keep reminding my DH: you only have one life.
October 7, 2008 - 5:46pmThis Comment