Frequently Asked Questions
Little Giri™
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This is your medical history as you know it. Write all the medical conditions you have had. If you were told ten years back that you had high blood pressure, say so; even if you have not taken any medicine for that all this time
- Here you tell why you are in the doctor’s office. This should be the main reason that took you to the doctor’s office that particular day. You should add other symptoms under review of systems
- If you are seeing a specialist, just saying that your primary doctor wanted you to see her is not enough. If your doctor refers you to another doctor, ask the reason for referral. If it is because of an abnormal test, get a copy of the test and hands carry it when you go to the specialist appointment. This is the best way to assure that you have all the important information when you go for the appointment
This is your medical history as you know it. Write all the medical conditions you have had. If you were told ten years back that you had high blood pressure, say so; even if you have not taken any medicine for that all this time
Write down all the surgical procedures you have had.
- Write down all the medicine you are taking. Make sure you spell the names right. Also write the dose and the number of times you take that medicine. Write this in an easily understandable form like: ibuprofen 600 mgm. Once/twice/three times a day.
- If you do not understand some medicine right, take the prescription bottle with you. If you take your medicine at a certain time, write that. If you take the medicine at a certain time for a reason, write that too. For example, taking a blood pressure medicine at a certain time may have taken away your dizziness. Telling this to your doctor will make sure that your doctor does not have to reinvent the wheel, so to speak.
- When writing medicines, don’t forget over the counter medicines and herbs you are taking.
- Most of the physicians do not have any knowledge of most of the herbs. Moreover, many natural products are combination of tens of different products. Read up all the information on the natural product and share that information with your doctor. Some pharmacies, now a days also have computer programs that can give interactions between commonly used herbs and conventional medicines. Ask your pharmacist about that. Make sure you share the information that you get with your doctor. Short of all that, you are pretty much taking natural products at your own risk.
Write the names of all the medicines that you have been allergic to. Also write down the symptoms of that allergic reaction. This is important because ill effect that you had from a certain medicine may not technically be classifiable as an allergic reaction. For example, the stomach upset that you had from aspirin is not an allergic reaction. And, in the absence of a serious reaction, your doctor may see aspirin as a life saver if just had a heart attack
- Write down (if known) the significant medical problems that your siblings or parents had; at what age they had those and (for those deceased), the cause of death. If you are not sure of a certain medical condition that your relative might have had, say so. For example, do not presume a diagnosis of heart attack if one of your relative died at a young age without a prolonged illness.
Do you smoke or drink alcohol, and how much? If you quit, when did you do that? Do you or have you ever used drugs? What do you do, and what jobs did you hold in the past. This may help your physician decide if any of your problems is occupation related. If you see any other social issues that you see as important, write those. For example, taking care of old father with severe Alzheimer’s may explain squeezing sensation in your chest, and palpitations.
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- This is a place where you report all the symptoms that you have been feeling, however seemingly frivolous. Writing all this down can save you considerable amount of time.
- The physicians are used to doing this part of the history system wise. For example, cardiac kidneys etc. for your convenience, you can write all the symptoms going from head to toe
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- Here, you write what you want to achieve out of the clinic visit. Most of the time, the reason for coming to the doctor’s office (written in column 1) is one question that needs to be addressed. For example, if diarrhea brought you to the office, we need to address that issue. But do not take any thing for granted. Write down “what is causing my diarrhea” here too.
- Also write any other concerns that you have. It is important that you fill this portion. This will contribute a lot toward your satisfaction with your visit with your doctor. This will help your doctor focus on your concerns. Remember, your doctor’s and your concerns may not necessarily coincide. For example, you have a real itchy rash on your left forearm and by the way, you also had an episode of squeezing in the chest while mowing the lawn the other day. The squeezing in the chest may get your doctor concerned and really excited while it is the rash that has been keeping you awake for last so many nights.
Here you right all the updates that happen with time. For example, did your visit to another doctor lead to some new diagnosis or new medicines?
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| (C) Keshav Chander