- When was your last period? Tracking periods is vital, not just for fertility reasons, but because your menstrual cycle can be linked to conditions such as acne, depression and migraines. If you are suuffering from any of these, your GP will ask you to keep a diary to identify if the problem is hormonal. So why not keep a diary now.
- Do you have a family history of ... stroke? heart problems? miscarriage? diabetes? female cancers, like ovarian or breast cancer? If so you could be at greater risk, so your doctor needs to know. Ask your parents for all the facts if you don't know. many allergies (e.g. for peanuts or penicillin) can be inherited, so check that too.
- Are you up to date with your jabs? Knowing what vaccinations and immunisations you have (and haven't) had helps to rule out certain illnesses if you are sick. Your parents will have been given a record of your childhood immunisations, but if it's long gone, request one from your GP surgery.
- How many units of alcohol do you really get through? No fibbing on this one. Alcohol consumption is linked to a number of conditions, such as reflux, low mood and sleep problems, so if your doctor is going to treat them, they need to know the truth.
- What medications are you taking? This is important and pharmacists may ask you as well. It stops GPs prescribing anything that could interactwith a medication and lets them keep an eye on side effects. Herbal remedies and supplements (e.g. St John's wort, black cohosh) count too.
- Have you ever had anything removed? Whether it was your tonsils, spleen, appendix or just a mole, mention it. It doesn't matter if it was a long time ago, or turned out to be benign, it could be relevant. For example, people who have had their spleen removed are more likely to get infections.
Monday, 8 September 2014
Questions GPs Ask
At the GP surgery you may well get asked the following questions, so it is worthwhile finding out the following:
