Is it wrong to lie to your doctor? | 3 min read

Lying to your doctor can lead to the wrong prescription, dose, or diagnosis. If there’s ever a place to be honest about habits and health, it’s the doctor’s office. Doctors are there to help; the more information they have, the more they can assist. However, most patients are only partially honest with their doctors, or they withhold information from them. The most common reason for withholding information is patients not wanting to feel judged or lectured.

What are the most dangerous lies and their consequences? 

• I never binge drink. Binge drinking can throw test results off and send the doctor down the wrong path if you have health problems.
• I quit smoking. It may seem harmless to avoid a lecture, but your doctor needs to know if you smoke. It can interfere with certain drugs and might help explain your symptoms.
• I run every day. Be honest about your exercise habits. It will help the doctor figure out how to keep you healthy. There are many ways to have an active lifestyle besides going to the gym, such as gardening, playing with a dog, or taking a brisk stroll around the block.
• I had sex with one person this year. A doctor’s visit is not a morality test. If you have sex with several partners, you could be at risk for certain diseases, which might help explain some medical problems. Your doctor’s not there to judge but to help.
• My sex life Is excellent. If you have trouble in the bedroom, low sex drive, or erectile dysfunction (ED), it can be a sign of an illness, and the doctor should know about it, especially if the patient is young and otherwise healthy.
• I feel great. Don’t ignore little things that may bother you; they could be valuable clues to your doctor. Do you get headaches when you exercise? That may not seem like a big deal, but it could signify something serious.
• I don’t do drugs. This can be a dangerous lie. If a doctor prescribes medication, it may react with street drugs, making the patient sick or causing other problems. Drug abuse can also cause other issues the doctor may not know to look for. If you have a drug habit or addiction, your doctor may be able to help you stop.
• I don’t take supplements. Be honest with your doctor about supplement intake; Some supplements may be dangerous if taken with other medications or if the patient has certain medical conditions.
• I take my pills. Most chronically sick patients don’t take their medication as they should. If you skip it because you’re worried about side effects or don’t like how they make you feel, tell your doctor. They may be able to adjust it.
• I don’t take over-the-counter medication. It’s important to tell your doctor about all the medication you take. It can interfere with how prescription medications work, sometimes in a dangerous way.

It can be challenging to start a conversation about feelings with a doctor, especially if it’s the first visit.

What to consider when visiting a doctor?

• Be honest and open.
• Focus on how you feel rather than what diagnosis you might meet.
• Explain how you’ve been feeling over the past few months or weeks and anything that has changed.
• Use words and descriptions that feel natural to you.
• Do not worry that your problem is too small or unimportant – everyone deserves help, and doctors are there to support you.

Visit Intercare for medical and dental consultations with friendly doctors; Having an honest relationship with medical providers is crucial to help protect your overall health and well-being. Patients withholding information about their health can make it more difficult for healthcare professionals to provide the proper care, and it can be dangerous to the patient’s health.

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