Although you probably know that your doctor has your best interests at heart, you still might not want to tell him or her all of the nitty and gritty things that are going on in your life. However, even some rather embarrassing habits should be shared with your doctor if you want him or her to be able to give you the best care. Knowing all of the main factors that can affect your health can make it easier for your doctor to provide you with top-of-the-line care, and providing certain information can help doctors at clinics like Hightstown Medical Associates figure out certain problems more than you think. These are a few of the embarrassing habits that you should talk to your doctor about.
1. Unhealthy Eating
You might want to fib to your doctor and say that you are eating a nutritionally-balanced diet. However, if this isn't true, you shouldn't lie about it. Your doctor can talk to you about your diet and can advise you on supplements and vitamins to take or can give you helpful advice about making positive, healthy changes. Plus, he or she will be better able to tell what's going on with your body. For example, if you are showing signs of any type of malnutrition but your doctor thinks that you are eating healthily because you said so, this can cause your doctor to look for more serious potential causes when these causes don't exist.
2. Smoking
Few people want to admit to lighting up nowadays, but your doctor needs to know about it. He or she can talk to you about your options for quitting and can be more cautious when looking out for potential smoking-related problems, such as irritation in the throat and even things like lung cancer. Sure, your doctor is probably going to give you a lecture about it, but it's better to give your medical professional a full picture of your health so that he or she can provide you with the best healthcare possible.
3. Drinking and Substance Abuse
If you drink a lot of alcohol, your body could be at risk of certain health complications that your doctor should be looking out for. Plus, alcohol use can explain certain symptoms that your doctor might be looking into, such as weight loss or gain. As for substance abuse, your doctor can provide you with options for treatment and can otherwise assist with your health if you are honest with him or her. Don't worry about the fact that the substances that you use might be illegal--your doctor is a medical professional, not a police officer.
Being honest about your embarrassing habits can be tough. However, it is important to tell your doctor about these things if you want to assist him or her in providing you with better healthcare.
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