Regular health check-ups are an opportunity for your doctor to comprehensively assess your condition, from vital signs, medications in use to blood and urine tests. But even a simple examination can be out of place if you make mistakes that seem small but have a big impact.
Good preparation helps test results get more accurate and helps your doctor understand your health picture, says Dr. Rebecca Stearns, general medicine expert at the University of Vermont.
Here are six things you should not do before your check-up:
Forgetting to bring documents and medical records
Many people come to see a doctor and suddenly remember... to forget their insurance cards at home. You need to bring your identification documents, insurance card, list of diseases and medications in use, ultrasound results, and the most recent test. If necessary, take relatives along to help remember the issues that need to be discussed.
Eat and drink when asked to fast
Some tests such as blood sugar, blood lipids or triglycerides require an 8-12 hour fast. Coffee, alcohol and food can all serve different results. However, water is an exception, you should not hold water because the body is dehydrated, making it more difficult to remove blood.
If the exam schedule is in the afternoon, ask the clinic if it is possible to change the blood test schedule to the morning.
Smoking before examination
Smoking 10 - 12 hours before a check-up can increase fake cholesterol, triglyceride, white blood cell levels and inflammation markers. This causes doctors to misunderstand your condition.
High-intensity exercise
Many people take the opportunity to practice "a healthy exercise" before the examination. But this temporarily reduces blood sugar, cholesterol, and increases createdinin kinase, a sign of muscular inflammation. You are also susceptible to dehydration, affecting electrolyte testing and liver function. Best, rest 24 hours before the examination.
No symptoms or questions recorded
A health check-up is not just a test. This is when you discuss new symptoms, persistent problems or questions about medications, supplements, vaccinations or cancer screening. Make a list in order of priority to avoid missing.
Forget to bring medicine or a list of drugs
The doctor needs to know exactly what medicine you are taking and the dosage. You can make a list, bring a bottle of medicine or take a photo with your phone. This is an important step for doctors to assess the risk of drug interaction and make appropriate adjustments.
Preparing carefully before the exam not only helps with accurate results but also helps you be more proactive in managing your health, a habit that should be maintained at all ages.
