Doing your own research is very important. We are blessed in this day and age to have access to a lot of information very easily and very quickly.
1. If you don’t know what’s going on with your body, do some research on your symptoms before you go to your doctor’s appointment. This can be as simple as doing a Google search. Just remember that what you find on the internet is certainly not always true. Take advantage of the resources you find on the internet, but always be willing to ask for references and dive into medical journals yourself.
2. If you do have a diagnosed condition or know what’s going on with your body, good books written by other medical doctors (including specialists) or people who have successfully managed the same condition can be a wealth of good information as well as help you formulate good questions for your doctor.
3. If you are taking or considering taking any medications, you can also speak to a pharmacist to learn how they work, what side effects they have, and any contraindications they may have. I’ve found I’ve gotten much more information and helpful cautions from pharmacists than doctors when it comes to treatment with medications.
Doing research on your own will help you have good questions to ask your doctor, as well as give you an idea of options and possibilities in managing your care and your condition.
