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Five things to know before your next doctor visit

These five common mistakes can affect tests, exams, or the information your doctor needs. Here’s what to avoid before your next appointment

Vitaly Gariev / Unsplash

A doctor’s appointment can feel like a test you need to prepare for. Maybe you skip breakfast because you want your blood work to look better. Maybe you drink an extra glass of water because you heard dehydration can affect results. Or perhaps you take an over-the-counter medication before a sick visit because you want to feel better by the time you arrive. Some of those choices can make sense in certain situations. Others can make it harder for your doctor to get an accurate picture of what is going on.

The key is that there is no single set of rules for every appointment. What you should do before a routine physical is different from what you should do before a blood test, dermatology visit, mammogram or appointment for an acute illness. Some tests require fasting or other specific preparation, while others do not. The Healthy’s advises showing up in a way that gives your health care provider useful information.

That means avoiding a few common pre-appointment mistakes, and there are also simple things you can do to make the visit more useful. Staying hydrated can help with some physical exams and tests. Eating normally before a routine checkup can give your provider a more realistic picture of your lifestyle. Even writing down questions ahead of time can keep you from forgetting something important once you are in the exam room.

Here are five things to know before your next doctor visit.

Don’t load up on caffeine before having your blood pressure........

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