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mindlesshaciend38
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4 Things Your Primary Care Physician Needs To Know
Why does your doctor need to know these personal details about you? The more your doctor understands about the stressors in your life, the better health care he or she will be able to provide.

Sleep Habits

Have you been tossing and turning at night? Are you waking up feeling lethargic and lacking the necessary energy to get through the day? There are many reasons why you may not be sleeping well, and some of these reasons could be physical. Things like menopause and sleep apnea are conditions that can make it difficult to get the sleep you need. Your doctor can prescribe lifestyle changes, medicine, and even order a sleep study to find exactly what is causing the change in sleeping patterns.

Family Situation

If you're in good health, you probably only visit your doctor once a year. A lot can change in a year. Situations like divorce, new marriages, children leaving to go to college, or a change in job status can affect your health more than you think. The more your doctor knows about your family situation, the better care you'll receive.

For example, are you feeling anxious or nervous? If you don't generally have problems with anxiety, look at what is going on in your life. Maybe you have a new teenage driver in the household, or you're contemplating a move to another city with your family. These are situations that can affect your mental and physical health. Tell your doctor about these changes. You may be surprised how helpful your doctor can be at helping you feel like your old self again.

Health Conditions of Immediate Family

During the first visit with your doctor, you filled out a health history form. This form included information about family members with conditions like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc. Your doctor uses this information to screen for hereditary conditions and to provide you with complete care. However, as the years go on, the answers on this questionnaire may change. If you recently had a member of your family diagnosed with a hereditary condition, your doctor needs to know this.

Most doctor offices ask their patients to update health history forms once every 1-3 years. If it's been a while since you've been handed a clipboard, a pen, and a copy of your health history, ask the staff in the office to give you your health history to review.

Feeling of Depression

Depression is a serious health issue. Millions of Americans are affected by this condition, but so many do not seek treatment. Your primary care physician can be the first point of contact if you've been feeling unlike your normal self. Depression that goes untreated can lead to health problems and is linked to self-harm, self-destructive behaviors like excessive drinking, prescription drug addiction, and even suicide. Take a moment to talk to your doctor about any mental health concerns you have for the appropriate treatment and referral.

If you don't feel comfortable speaking with your doctor about personal matters, perhaps it is time to find a new physician in Winter Haven. Don't hesitate to switch doctors if your current primary care physician is not meeting all of your health and wellness needs.

By: Jordan Rocksmith

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Internal Medicine Group of Winter Haven offers compassionate care and personalized treatment plans for the whole family. Call to schedule an appointment! physician winter haven. Visit our page on www.primarycarewinterhaven.com/contact/ for more info!

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