Your annual checkup is a time for your provider to gather a lot of information about your health. It’s a good time for you to get information too, on steps to take now, and in the year ahead.
Family medicine physician David McIntyre, MD suggests 11 key questions:
- How are my blood pressure and heart rate? “The nurse will take your vitals while rooming you. Ask the nurse then: ‘Are they within normal range? Do we need to talk about them if they’re not?’”
- What’s a good target for my weight? “Ask your provider if you’re at a good weight for your height, age, medical conditions, and other factors. Would you benefit from dropping or gaining a few pounds, or maybe more?”
- Are my medications and doses right for me? “It’s useful to review all your medications at the same time to prevent interactions and monitor side effects. You want your primary care provider to have a full picture of all your medications – especially if some prescriptions are from other doctors, specialists who focus on one aspect of your medical care.”
- Are these over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements OK for me? “Bring a complete list of all OTC and supplements you’re taking. Ask: Any concern about these substances? About the amounts? Taking one Vitamin C pill is helpful but taking 10 may be harmful. For the most part, less is often better. And, some substances advertised as ‘miracle cures’ can actually be harmful.”
- Am I up to date on all my immunizations? “Children’s appointments focus well on immunizations; adults should ask about age-appropriate immunizations, too. Flu shot annually, tetanus every 10 years, shingles vaccine starting at age 50, pneumonia vaccine starting at age 65, and of course COVID vaccination for everyone medically eligible. If you have a record of your immunizations, bring it in. That’s helpful if you’re a new patient to the clinic, especially if you’re coming from another state.”
- Am I up to date on age-appropriate cancer screenings? “Breast cancer screening begins at age 40, colon screening at age 45, prostate at age 50. There are exceptions based on family history and your health history – it may be right to start younger, or screen more frequently. Ask about it.”
- What lab tests do I need, and what information do they give you? “Routine lab work, like cholesterol and diabetes screening, shows your doctor any areas of concern so we can treat it early. We treat high cholesterol to lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, cardiovascular disease. With diabetes, we want to manage it early to prevent damage to your eyes, kidneys, nervous system. We screen for anemia, and check liver and kidney function. Based on lab test results, your doctor may talk with you about diet, exercise, possibly medication.”
- What’s this weird thing on my skin? “If you have any spots you’re not sure about or are changing, bring it up. If it’s not easily visible, point it out.”
- Here’s what’s new in my family history. “If your dad has had a heart attack, or your sister was diagnosed with breast cancer since your last checkup, tell us. That might adjust when and how we screen your health. Conditions with strong hereditary links include breast and colon cancer, Type 2 diabetes, and vascular disease (heart attack, high cholesterol, high blood pressure). If something has changed in your parents’ or siblings’ health, that’s important information for your health.”
- How are my health habits? “These important, everyday habits are the basis of good health. Are you getting enough sleep? Enough exercise? Is your diet right for you? How’s your intake of caffeine and alcohol? Moderation is the key: Two glasses of wine a day doesn’t concern me as much as 14 on Saturday. Be honest with your doctor. For habits that you know that aren’t good for your health (like smoking), ask for help on how to stop.”
- Can we talk about anxiety and depression? “Yes, we can – and should. Stress, insomnia, anxiety, depression are the things that people are shy to bring up, but they’re often what leads to other health conditions and chemical use. If you’re feeling anxious all the time or feeling withdrawn, bring it up. Your provider can help facilitate counseling or therapy; other options include support groups, changes to diet and exercise, and medication. Often, it’s a combination of treatments that works.”
“Having a candid discussion with your provider gets you on the same page about your heath, and about the concerns that matter most to you,” Dr. McIntyre says. “If you’re depressed and can’t get out of bed, let’s focus on that and not on the fact that your blood pressure is high. We want to work together to do what’s best for you.”
Dr. McIntyre sees patients in the Faribault and Northfield clinics.
Appointments in Faribault: (507) 334-1601
Appointments in Northfield: (507) 646-1494