Health Tips for May 14

Health Tip: Communicating With a Loved One's Doctor

Part of a caregiver's responsibilities include communicating with your charge's doctors, and knowing how and when to ask the right questions.

The American Heart Association offers these guidelines for caregivers:

• Explain to the doctor your role as caregiver, and that you need to be included in important communication about the patient.
• Educate yourself about the details of your loved one's condition.
• Write down information about behaviors you have noticed, such as your loved one's sleeping habits, eating habits and emotions.
• Take your time and think through any decisions about your loved one. If possible, make sure the doctor offers you enough time to consider the options. Consider scheduling a consultation appointment.
• Make a list of questions and topics for discussion during appointments.
• Appreciate the time your doctor takes, and understand that he or she may not have an immediate answer to all of your questions.

Health Tip: Be Proactive at Your Next Doctor Visit

If you don't go to the doctor very often, it's important to make the most of every visit.

It's your opportunity to talk to your doctor about any health problems, or questions that you have.

Here are conversation pointers for your next medical visit, as recommended by the American Academy of Family Physicians:

• Bring up any symptoms or health concerns that you have.
• Create a log of your health history and bring it to your appointment.
• Tell your doctor about any stress in your life that could be affecting your health.
• Discuss any medications or supplements that you take, and any side effects that you suspect may be caused by them.
• Bring any recent medical records, test results or X-rays.
• Clarify anything your doctor says that you don't understand.
• Ask for extra time to spend with your doctor, if you need it. If your doctor can't be available personally, a nurse or physician assistant may be able to spend time with you.