The Top 4 Things Your Internist Wishes You Knew

1.  Preventive medicine is the key. 
Exercise, eat healthy, and get enough sleep.  Practice safe sex.  Use sunscreen.  Wear your seatbelt.  Avoid guns, tobacco, illicit drugs, and excessive alcohol.  Get enough calcium and vitamin D. 

Make sure you get regular physical exams.  Get a tetanus shot every 10 years.  Get a flu shot yearly if you have young kids.  Get a yearly flu shot if you are over 50 and a pneumovax if you are over 65.  Get your cholesterol level, blood pressure, weight, and pap smear checked routinely.  

If you are 40 and over, get your mammogram done yearly.  If you are 50 and over, get a colonoscopy.  If you are 65 and over, get a bone density test.  Doing these things can help prevent heart disease, osteoporosis, stroke, and cancer, and maybe save your life!!

2.  If your doctor prescribes a medication, take it as directed, finishing the entire course. 
Don't stop it on your own just because you're feeling better.  If you are having side effects, call your doctor to see if you should stop taking it or if it can be changed to another medication.

3.  Get your medical advice from your doctor, not your neighbors, friends, or relatives. 
Even if they are physicians, they are probably not going to be objective.  If you are unsure or disagree with your doctor's recommendations, get a second opinion.  (Only if you have the time to do so, not if your appendix is about to burst!)

4.  Please let us know if you're having any problems. 
No matter what it is, don't be embarrassed or afraid to bring up your concerns.  We need to know what your problems are so that we can begin to work on them. Thanks! 

(Contributed by LL)

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