11. When you last went to the doctor

11. When you last went to the doctor
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You haven’t had a teeth cleaning since 2010. You have– eek! – never been to an eye doctor. You had a physical, maybe two years ago?

You might have a less-than-stellar track record of keeping up with medical appointments, but here’s the thing: your doctor doesn’t care.

In fact, they’re just glad you’re sitting on the examining table NOW, ready for a check-up. Instead of skirting the truth about the last time you sought care, be up front so your new physician can treat you accurately.

“If you are new to a physician, we don’t know what happened and how frequently it happened in the past. Routine screening keeps you safe. Don’t lie about when you went to the doctor last and what they did or did not check. It won’t help us know how best to take care of you in the future,” Dr Knopman says.

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12. That you're nervous

12. That you're nervous
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Even if you don’t have Iatrophobia – the fear of a going to a doctor – it’s pretty common to feel nervous when you’re sick.

If you’re Googling your symptoms, you might be expecting the worst, but your doctor is there to make you feel comfortable and at ease.

A little secret to getting the best care? Be honest about the fact that you’re scared.

“Oftentimes, anxiety shows itself by being mean or rude to staff or doctors. We are here to help you and are very used to helping people get through dental treatment. We would love to give you options to ease your anxiety or nerves, but it helps if we know,” explains Dr Nancy E Gill, a dentist in Golden, Colorado.

13. How much time you spend in the sun

13. How much time you spend in the sun
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Even on the coolest day of winter or when it’s overcast and raining, dermatologists recommend wearing sunscreen or other forms of sun protection to shield your pores from harmful, dangerous rays. So when your doctor inquires about how much time you’re spending outdoors, they’re asking so they can understand your hobbies, habits and how much sun damage risk you’re exposing yourself to.

“Most people do not realise that they get sun exposure on a daily basis going in and out of their car, or going to get mail, as well as when they are actively outside whether for work or play,” explains Dr Purvisha Patel a dermatologist in Tennessee.

“Skin cancer is caused by the sun, so getting patients to be compliant with sun protection is important and understanding their lives helps tailor their prevention techniques.”

14. How much you drink

14. How much you drink
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“How many drinks do you have a week?”

The answer will vary, depending on if you’re hanging out at home with family or on holiday with your best friends, but what your doctor is trying to understand is your habits.

This is especially essential if you ever need surgery, as alcohol abuse can have permanent damaging effects to your liver that may increase bleeding, according to neurosurgeon Dr David Poulad.

“Alcohol abuse can also cause patients to go through withdrawal during a hospitalisation. Alcohol withdrawal can manifest with seizures and needs to be recognised in order to be treated appropriately. If we know about a history of alcohol abuse, we can treat a patient prophylactically to avoid this possible complication,” he explains.

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