The Full Picture

When your doctor asks you are you taking any medications, what do you tell him? Do you tell him about the Motrin you take? Do you mention that you are taking Vitamin K or SAMe? Do you tell him you like to drink grapefruit juice or noni juice? Many people don't.

It is important to give your doctor a full picture of what goes into your body so that he can provide an accurate diagnosis and proper treatments. For example, if your doctor prescribed a blood pressure medication but after a few visits noticed it wasn't working effectively, he may decide to change the dosage or give you a more potent prescription; however, if your doctor knows that you like to drink grapefruit juice for breakfast, he will know the medication may be fine, it's the grapefruit juice that might be the culprit. Or, if you let your doctor know you're taking vitamin K, he'll know to have you stop taking it before prescribing a blood thinner like Coumadin.

So, no matter how insignificant it may seem, let your doctor know specifically everything you take for your health ~ whether it's over-the-counter medications, vitamins and supplements, or specific juices like noni and grapefruit; it will help your doctor get a full picture of your health.

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