Talk to your Doctor

I mean do some real straight talking. When he or she asks you what is the problem, don’t just answer “Well, I’m feeling a bit off colour”. “Feeling off colour” can be anything from a minor discomfort to serious physical symptoms. This broad, generalised information is not going give your doctor much of a clue as to what is ailing you.
So you do have to be a bit more precise in your descriptions. What is it exactly what you’re feeling? Are you nauseous, dizzy or do you have any pain anywhere? When did it start? How long did it last? What were you doing when you felt this? Did you do anything to alleviate the pain or the uncomfortable feeling? What was it? Did it help?

The more information you provide the better the doctor will be able to make a diagnosis. Remember Doctors are not super humans who can read your mind or make the near impossible mental leap from “feeling off colour” to an exact diagnosis. With the information you give them they have to go through a huge catalogue of knowledge and compare symptoms with possible illnesses. Also you should tell your doctor about little odd things, even if these seem insignificant to you they may just be a telltale sign of certain conditions.

It is important to keep in mind that these days, with an acute Doctor shortage, there are some considerable time constraints on consultations. The days are long gone where your friendly family doctor could afford the luxury of indulging in some chitchat about how grandmother is doing and if the kids are all fine, maybe even sipping a cup of tea. The best they can do these days is ask you if anything out of the ordinary is happening in your life or if anything is bothering you. However, today Doctors do recognise that emotional or financial stress can bring about mental or physical ailments.

So when you have an appointment with your doctor, do some homework first. Write down why you are seeing your doctor, record your symptoms, your feelings and actual times, duration etc. Also make a note of questions you want to ask. Remember there are no silly questions and even under the time pressure most Doctors will answer them as best as they can.

Maybe your condition requires the services of a specialist. Specialists generally have more time than your average general practitioner, but they also cost more and usually there can be quite a substantial waiting time until you get an appointment, unless it is an emergency. So again the better equipped you are with information the more value you get for your money. As the old saying goes “the toothache usually disappears the moment you enter the dentist's surgery”. So keep a written record of your ailments and symptoms.

The relationship you have with your doctor is important. You have to do your bit and educate him or her about you, your body and your mental state. And if you find a doctor with whom you have a good rapport, stay with him or her. Changing doctors constantly does not help you or them to provide you with the best care possible. But if you’re not satisfied or unsure there is never any harm in getting a second opinion.