Half-truth: "I don't have digestive
issues."
Truth: You
experience embarrassing intestinal trouble, such as gas, bloating or
constipation on a regular basis.
"I
don't have digestive issues."
Consequences: More women than men suffer from gastrointestinal distress and when
it comes to irritable bowel syndrome or IBS, characterised by chronic
constipation and/or diarrhoea) 70 percent of sufferers are female. IBS is one
condition that can often be controlled with dietary changes. Switching up what
you're eating could also make a huge difference if you suffer from coeliac
disease (an adverse reaction to gluten) or lactose intolerance (difficulty
digesting milk). Sometimes these symptoms also warrant testing for more serious
underlying conditions. Bloating, for instance, could signal ovarian cancer;
persistent stomach cramps could indicate an autoimmune disorder like Crohn's
disease; and blood in the stool is a possible sign of colon cancer.
Half-truth: "I practise safe
sex."
Truth: You
sometimes skip condoms and have even been treated for a sexually transmitted disease
(STD) before.
Half-truth:
"I practise safe sex."
Consequences: Aspects of your sexual history, including the number of partners
you've had and having an STD in your past, are among the top things women
routinely lie about to their physicians. But hiding your previous and/or
current sexual behaviours can be dangerous. Left untreated, STDs such as
chlamydia and gonorrhea can lead to infertility and human papillomavirus (HPV)
can turn into cervical cancer - which kills 208 Australian women a year. (In
good news the incidence of cervical cancer in Australian women aged 20 to 69
has almost halved since the introduction of a national screening program in
1991. The Cancer Council estimates screening saves more than 1,200 women from
developing cervical cancer each year so ask your doctor for advice on this.)
Promptly addressing STDs can also help you avoid the fallout. You don't have to
divulge the exact number of people you've slept with if you're feeling shy. But
if you've had even one new partner since your last exam, ask to be screened.
Make sure to mention any STDs you may have been treated for in the past too, as
it can affect your care. For example, if you're having trouble getting pregnant
or are experiencing painful cramping, your doctor should know to check for
internal scar tissue that an infection could have left behind.
Half-truth: "I'm not taking any
medications."
Truth: You
pop vitamins and herbal supplements without giving them much thought.
Half-truth:
"I'm not taking any medications."
Consequences: "When we ask patients, 'What drugs are you taking?' they don't
list herbs because they don't think of them as powerful," says Filer,
"but they can be" So you may be trying out biotin for strong hair and
nails like your mum recommends, the acai that your gym buddy loves for weight
loss or the kava your sister swears is as relaxing as a glass of wine, without
understanding the impact they could have on your body.
For example, herbs such as kava and comfrey
can damage your liver, while Vitamin E can cause bruising and bleeding. And if
you mix supplements with medication, you could end up making them weaker or
stronger. If you combine St John's Wort with an antidepressant, for instance,
the effects could be magnified, notes Filer. Meanwhile, a multi with Vitamin K,
which increases blood clotting, could interfere with blood thinners.
Hard to keep track of ? Definitely! But that's why you should talk to your doctor - about
this and everything else that pertains to your body, your mind and your life.
Remember, when it comes to managing your health, there's no such thing as too
much information!
Diagnosis: broke
Sometimes the most mortifying thing to
admit is that money is tight. In fact, finances and work are among the biggest
stressors and can increase the risk of many health complaints.
finances
and work are among the biggest stressors and can increase the risk of many
health complaints
One study has found that being financially
strapped led people to delay check-ups with their doctors or recommended treatments.
If a lack of cash is messing with your health, speak up. Many doctors will set
up billing plans so you can pay fees over time. You can also ask for a generic
version of medicines you need and inquire about free samples. Your doc may just
handsome over.
64
Percentage of women who overestimate their
height, according to research from the University of Utah
Percentage
of women who overestimate their height
That can throw off your perceived body mass
index, which in turn could confuse your doc about health risks. So, ask your
doctor to measure your height. You may be surprised.
