Wellness & Fitness

Too embarrassed to open up to your doctor?

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These are some of the things you need to stop hiding from your physician. PHOTO | FILE

The doctor-patient relationship is a unique one. It is one of strict confidentiality and ideally, you should feel free to be completely honest with your doctor.

However, despite the security that this relationship embodies, one of the greatest frustrations that doctors deal with is patients withholding vital information from them.

Most of us hide things from our doctors because we are either embarrassed about the problem or we feel that the doctor will judge us or give us sub-standard care due to pre-existing prejudices they may have.

Common issues patients hide from their doctors include:

You haven’t been taking your medication

Classic case scenario: Patient arrives in the emergency department with a severe headache and markedly elevated blood pressure. He is a known hypertensive who was started on treatment two years ago. He has not taken his medication for the past three months.
When asked by his doctor about his drug compliance, he reports that he has been religiously taking his medication and only missed that morning’s dose.

Doctor’s evaluation: The medication prescribed earlier is apparently not managing to control this patient’s hypertension. The dosages need to be adjusted upward or a new drug needs to be added to his treatment regimen.

The obvious danger in this scenario is that the patient risks getting low blood pressure (due to “over-medication”) and could potentially suffer from side effects of the different drugs.

Most patients are under the impression that if you are honest about not being compliant to your medication, you will be judged harshly by your doctor. Well, the truth is, a lot of doctors are quite intolerant of patients who do not comply to their treatment but they will not give you sub-standard care because you were unable to follow their last instructions.

For this reason, you should never lie about it. Explain to your doctor why you are unable to take your medication as prescribed. Perhaps it is an issue related to cost, or you are getting intolerable side effects or find taking too many tablets a challenge.

Most of these problems can be sorted out for you. If you’re not able to take medication as prescribed, don’t lie and say that you are, as this only causes problems further down the line.

Past abortions

The Kenyan society is generally intolerant to issues related to abortion. Girls and women who abort are often judged very harshly and sometimes end up as social outcasts.

Often, the doctor asks about history of previous abortions when they are trying to find out about a woman’s reproductive history. Ensure that you are honest about any pregnancy losses you may have had in the past. It is important information for your doctor – especially if you are planning on having children.

Abortion can lead to scarring in your womb and sometimes even your tubes (especially if you had an infection after it). For this reason, keep your doctor in the loop about your past.

Domestic abuse

Both men and women who are abused by partners are often ashamed of it. They would rather make up stories to explain their bruises. If you are not willing or ready to report abuse to the authorities, go to your doctor. Allow him to document your injuries.

If, and when, you are ready to report the abuse, your doctor will be able to provide evidence as to the abuse you have undergone. In addition, your doctor can get you in touch with a counsellor who can help you deal with the abuse.

Smoking, drinking and drug abuse

Most people do not want to be labelled as alcoholics or be viewed as someone who abuses alcohol. This causes people to grossly understate the amount of alcohol they drink.

The problem with this is that some of your symptoms could be alcohol related and even if that is not the case, alcohol interacts with the action of a lot of prescription drugs and can render them less effective than they should be. For this reason, you need to be completely honest with your doctor about how much (and how frequently) you drink alcohol.

Smoking is generally harmful to your body — most people are aware of this and often go to great lengths to hide the amount they smoke. This is not necessary. Be honest with your doctor. It helps them determine the best way to deal with your medical problem.
Surgeons, in particular, are not keen on operating on patients who smoke heavily. This is because, these patients tend to have poor wound healing.

Do not hide the use of recreational drugs from your doctor either. Doctors are bound by strict confidentiality rules and they will not tell anyone about your habits or turn you over to the police for using illicit drugs. Your care, however, will be hugely influenced by having your doctor know about all your drug use.

Use of herbal treatment and supplements

Herbal drugs can sometimes interact with conventional drugs. And just like any other medication, herbal drugs can cause side effects (even though they are marketed as being “natural”). Always mention any herbal therapy to your doctor (including over the counter herbal supplements).

In addition, if you use over the counter drugs or creams/ointments marketed as “penile enlargers”, “hip boosters”, “breast enlargers”, “skin brighteners” among other, inform your doctor as well.

Sexual issues

If you have had numerous sexual partners or a previous sexually transmitted infection, tell your doctor. If you are currently involved with a same sex partner, tell your doctor as well. It is not your doctor’s place to judge you. They only need that information if they feel it is relevant to your current health problem.

Sexual dysfunction can be a sign of a major health problem. For example, erectile dysfunction can be a sign of diabetes or hypertension. Feel free to inform your doctor about any sexual dysfunction as it could aid your treatment.

Vaginal infections can also be a sign of a major health problem. For example, recurrent episodes of vaginal thrush can be a sign of diabetes.

When you visit your doctor, remember that there is nothing he/she hasn’t heard before. Your problem is not unique to you so they will not judge you because of anything you tell them. Be honest – it could save your life.