It may come as no surprise, but many women and men lie to their doctor about their aches and pains. People are afraid of being judged about their habits and behaviors. Unfortunately, when you aren’t completely honest with your doctor, they can’t properly advise you about your health and may not be able to diagnose your illnesses. Since the doctor is only seeing you for a short appointment, he or she really needs your help in determining your health.

Tell your doctor about all of the aches and pains that have given you concern since your last visit. Some of these might not be important, but sometimes little aches and pains can be indications of bigger problems. No matter, how embarrassed you are about different habits, the doctor needs to know if you are smoking, drinking excessively or using illegal drugs.

Your doctor needs to know other things about you, too. How regular and severe your periods are, and whether you have had any changes in your bowel movements, too. Your doctor will want to know how much over-the-counter medication you take on a regular basis, to help when prescribing other medicines. Tell your doctor how you deal with pain, whether you need to take something right away or if you are able to manage your pain without medicine.

Talk to your doctor about your weight management concerns, too. Discuss your diet and ask for advice on nutritious foods to eat. Fad diets that claim outrageous results can sound good but are very misleading. Consult with your doctor about the best diets that deliver consistent, healthy results. Remember weight loss isn’t effective unless you can make lifestyle changes that keep your weight under control. If the diet is too restrictive, it’s probably not something you want to adhere to for the rest of your life.

Discuss your workout program with your doctor. He or she will be happy to hear you are exercising regularly. Be honest with your doctor and be open to discussion. Many doctors are fit and healthy and are very excited to discuss fitness goals. Your doctor may even have some suggestions for exercises that you can add to your current workout plan.

Tell your doctor if you are concerned about any health issues you have encountered while exercising. For instance, if you have experienced heart palpitations during exercise, be sure to let your doctor know. Remember to bring along your fitness journal to guide you in your discussions. You only have a short time to spend with your doctor, so be sure you get the best benefits coming to you.