9 White Lies Doctors Hear That Put A Patient's Health In Danger

Natural Medications And Supplements

When doctors ask patients if they have been taking any medications, they are also asking about alternative and natural substances. Some patients think doctors need o know only about prescription medications. However, some substances in natural and herbal supplements, such as caffeine and green tea, can interact with other medications. For example, herbal supplements used to treat anxiety and depression make birth control medications less effective. If doctors are unaware that their patients are using these supplements, they may not know that they need to warn them about possible consequences, such as an unplanned pregnancy. In addition, certain vitamins and over-the-counter medications can interfere with surgical procedures and affect how patients heal afterwards, so doctors must be aware that patients are taking them before performing these procedures.

Symptoms

Some patients feel compelled to tell their doctors they feel fine even if they are experiencing noticeable symptoms. They may feel too embarrassed to discuss depression, anxiety, fatigue, or their sex drive. Alternatively, they may be too scared to find out they have a serious disease, such as cancer or heart disease. Sometimes, doctors may be able to tell that something is wrong even if the patient is unwilling to disclose it. In many cases, however, doctors will not be able to detect conditions or diseases if they do not know they need to check for them. Treatment for a serious illness may be more effective if started early, so it is important for patients to share symptoms and other information about their health with their doctor.