Making The Most Of Your Docotor's Visit

Have you ever gone to your doctor only to walk out of the office remembering a question or two you forgot to ask?

Here are some clues on how to make the most of that visit.

The reality is that medical appointments these days aren't very long. And that means getting a lot of information passed back-and-forth during that time. But without a little homework on your part, you might end up missing some of the important information you went to the doctor in the first place for.

One thing you can do to help is to keep a medical journal. Write down as many details as you can think of about what's wrong with you and any circumstances surrounding that issue. For instance, you have a sore throat---does it hurt worse in the morning or during the day, is it bad all the time or worse when you swallow, are you having a cough along with the throat issue? I tell my patients that any diagnosis is like detective work and these clues can go a long way in helping you doctor solve the issue?

Also write down any questions you have about your condition and about your overall health and take that paper with you to your doctor's visit. That way you won't forget that question you had the day before your visit.

And at the end of the visit, when you get a prescription, ask about alternatives to the medication, including generics, and any side effects you need to keep an eye out for.

These tips should help make sure next time you walk out of your doctor's office you aren't doing the forehead slap--thinking "I should have asked about this".