An Excerpt From the Book
On this page of our website is a short (two to 4 pages) excerpt
from Facing Your Fifties: A Man’s Reference Guide to
Mid-Life Health. This page will change on a more or less monthly
basis, so if you check in with us each month for the next 200 or so months, you’ll probably get to read all of our 500-page manuscript without having to buy the book. (We don't really recommend that - Come on...you can spring for a few bucks to help yourself get healthy!)
Because the following excerpt is the first to go up on our page, it
will probably be the same for the next month or two as we
put the finishing touches on this website.
A One Page Sidebar In
Facing Your Fifties
Getting the Most Out of Seeing Your Doctor
We’ve all heard the shocking news: a doctor makes a diagnosis in less than 30 seconds.
But that’s like saying a singer with his first hit song is an "instant
star," even though he’s worked in the business 20 years. Inside that 30-second diagnosis are years of medical school, years of on-the- job training, and years of seeing patients.
We can all agree, though, that a visit to a doctor is usually too
short – a product of many unchangeable variables. So how can you maximize the time you get with your physician? For ailments beyond the everyday colds, here are two suggestions for prior to seeing your doctor:
- Get the basics down.
When did the problem start? What are all the symptoms? If there’s pain, exactly where is it, and what kind is it (dull, sharp,
throbbing)?
- Do some detective work.
Every doctor is a little like Sherlock Holmes. Why not be a Doctor Watson and do some background work? Does the ailment come and go at certain times? With certain foods? Try to objectively analyze possible causes. Suggestions for while you are seeing your doctor: – This is no time to be trying to fool yourself or your doctor. Physicians know most men will lie about three topics: smoking, drinking, and sex. Be honest.
Mention all medications you take – Even vitamins and herbal remedies.
Be concise and complete – Respecting a doctor’s limited time, you should keep the explanation brief, while including everything you think might be relevant. The best advice? Build a long-term relationship with one doctor. The rewards are huge.
End of Sidebar -- There's Plenty More In Our Book Facing Your Fifties
Click here to order Facing Your Fifties | 
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