Going to the Doctor? Read These Patient Stories
Sharing information with your doctor about health symptoms -- big or small -- is key to getting timely care.
Our bodies have lots of ways of getting our attention. From the racing pain of a burn when we touch a hot pan to the subtle little changes in our skin when we don't hydrate enough, our bodies are trying to tell us something.
Sometimes, though, what our bodies are trying to tell us is a mystery, and we need an expert opinion. But how often do we fail to share these body messages with our doctors? Our bodies can't always speak for themselves. Sometimes, we have to represent them to the experts and let our doctors know exactly what's going on.
Even somewhat innocuous-sounding symptoms could be a message that needs to be investigated. Just read what happened with Phyllis and Jim when they decided to mention seemingly unimportant symptoms to their doctors.
Phyllis C.*
Even though her recent nosebleeds seemed pretty harmless -- after all, the air had been drier -- Phyllis decided to tell her doctor about them when she went in for a routine blood sugar test. Upon hearing about the nosebleeds, the doctor noticed a few broken capillaries in Phyllis's eyes as well. Scanning the list of prescription medications Phyllis had written down in her preappointment worksheet, the doctor quickly ordered an additional blood test to measure Phyllis's level of Coumadin -- a blood thinner that she routinely took for a minor heart condition and that could cause excessive bleeding. Fortunately, Phyllis's test came back at an acceptable level. Still, the doctor noticed that Phyllis was constantly tending to a runny nose, and a few more questions revealed that Phyllis was probably suffering from nasal allergies. Heavy sneezing and nose blowing -- combined with the Coumadin -- were making the delicate blood vessels in her eyes break and making her nose bleed. And Phyllis was more than relieved to know that a generic over-the-counter allergy medication was the simple solution.
Jim R.*
It didn't seem like a big deal, but Jim's wife insisted that he tell his doctor about his heavy snoring after she'd noticed a change in her husband's disposition. He was constantly dozing off while playing cards and was often irritable. Concerned, the doctor measured Jim's daytime sleepiness levels and ordered an overnight sleep test that revealed a severe case of sleep apnea -- a snoring condition where a tissue flap at the back of the throat actually closes and impedes air flow during sleep. Jim's body was waking up hundreds of times each night when his oxygen levels got too low. It was his body's way of keeping him breathing. No wonder he was so tired all the time! Just a few weeks after treating the condition with a nighttime breathing device, Jim was back to his cheerful self -- and back on top of his card game.
Be a Fountain of Information
Most symptoms and medical questions have solutions and answers. Some of them are even relatively simple. But you won't know unless you start sharing, so use the RealAge Doctor Visit Guide to help ensure you're asking the right questions, sharing the right information, and getting the solutions you need to manage your medical conditions and live a healthier, more comfortable life.
Your RealAge Doctor Visit Guide is customized based on your RealAge Test answers.
*Names have been changed to protect privacy.
