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Your Primary Care Physician, Why You Need to be Brutally Honest With Them

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When you visit your Primary Care Physician (PCP) your brutal honesty is essential. Your PCP needs the full story about your health, habits, and lifestyle in order to give you the best medical advice and treatment. Holes in the story or dishonesty can skew your PCP’s assessment leading to incorrect recommendations. This can at best give you subpar treatment and at worst incorrect treatment.

 

Why Patients Don’t Tell Their Doctor Everything

In a 2018 study at the University of Utah Health, researchers found that 60 to 80 percent of people surveyed hadn’t been truthful to their physician with relevant information to their health. They admitted to either lying or stretching the truth about their diet and exercise habits. Survey respondents said the reasons were they didn’t want to be lectured or judged, and more than 50 percent said they were just too embarrassed to tell the truth.

Aside from hiding the full truth, patients may think that other details are not significant. They may not think that what is going on is related to the medical concern. They may think it is irrelevant of inconsequential. Yet time and again, we hear stories of minor details leading to major medical consequences.

Primary Care Physician Recommendations

Remember, Your Primary Care Physician Wants to Best for You

Your PCP is there to help you and can only do so when they know they entire story. It impacts their ability to accurately diagnose, assess risk, and order the appropriate tests and screenings for you. If you leave out any details it could prevent your doctor for doing this.

Remembering the details and being as open as possible is in your best interest and helps your PCP do their best for you. Physicians do not judge their patients and so it is best to be an open book and lay it all on the table.

 

Here are 5 ways to be prepared when meeting with your Primary Care Physician (PCP)

  1. Tell your PCP about ALL of your symptoms. Even if you feel they are insignificant. Over-describing is better than missing an important detail.
  2. Don’t minimize or exaggerate symptoms. An accurate description is necessary to appropriately gauge the situation.
  3. Be honest of exactly when the symptoms first started, even if you waited a while to go see the doctor.
  4. Remind your doctor of any previous issues or things you are concerned may be connected, like a family medical history. It is better to be thorough than hold back on asking questions.
  5. Be specific on any recent lifestyle changes that may have coincided with symptoms. In some people, even changing the brand of laundry detergent can result in medical symptoms.

 

Consider these 5 topics before going to visit your PCP to be prepared to be as truthful to your doctor as possible. It is imperative to your health!

 

If you are looking for a Primary Care Physician (PCP) in the Scottsdale, Mesa, Phoenix, Glendale or Tucson area, please give Dr. Ben Evans a call at any of his Vitality Internal Medicine locations today.

Dr. Ben Evans on the Jeremy Scott Fitness Podcast

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Dr. Evans recently sat down with Jeremy Scott on the Jeremy Scott Fitness podcast to discuss fitness, low hormones and testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).  You can listen to the entire 47 min podcast HERE.

 

Testosterone is Essential For Building Muscle and Cutting Fat

Anyone in the fitness world knows that hormones play a major role in cutting fat and building muscle, especially in men. When testosterone is low it can hinder your workouts by preventing you from gaining muscle, losing weight, or even having the motivation to go to the gym in the first place. Even though you are doing all of the right exercises and eating the right foods, low testosterone will prevent you from seeing results. It is like ice skating uphill or running through mud.

 

Careful Monitoring of Testosterone Treatment

In addition to explaining the “bro science” behind how hormones impact your fitness goals, Dr. Evans covers the importance of regularly monitoring your testosterone levels if you are undergoing testosterone replacement therapy through a doctor or using testosterone recreationally. Maintaining the right dose is extremely important to avoid side effects like gynecomastia (gyno or man boobs) or even more severe side effects like heart failure, strokes or blood clots.

 

Reasons for Low Testosterone in Young Men

Besides natural aging, Dr. Evans describes how injury, food, sleep habits and even your career can influence your testosterone levels leading to lot T. He gives his recommendation on which method of testosterone replacement is most effective and recommendations of exercises, food and sleep habits that help to boost testosterone.

 

TRT Can Change Your Life

Dr. Evans shares some stories of the men he has helped through TRT and how life changing it can be. Jeremy and Dr. Evans cover most questions on hormones and fitness. But if they missed anything, leave your question in the comments and Dr. Evans will get you an answer.

 

Show Notes:

  • What is testosterone? (4:52)
  • Why would someone need Testosterone Replacement Therapy? (5:45)
  • What can cause low T? (12:30)
  • How to get treated for low testosterone? (15:08)
  • Are there side effects of testosterone replacement therapy? (20:00)
  • How much does testosterone replacement therapy cost? (23:02)
  • Can you boost Testosterone naturally? (28:39)
  • What are the biggest benefits of Testosterone Replacement Therapy? (39:56)

 

To learn more about testosterone therapy, visit this informational page on testosterone therapy treatment. Learn about the different options available and if this is the best course for you. Dr. Evans has testosterone treatment clinics in the Scottsdale or Tempe Arizona area. If you suspect you may be experiencing symptoms of low testosterone, schedule an appointment to check your testosterone levels and see if testosterone therapy is right for you.

 

How is Low Testosterone and Sleep Deprivation Linked?

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Low testosterone in men and insomnia have been seen to both cause daytime fatigue. However, can sleep deprivation and other sleep related issues be a cause of low T? Below we explore how these two are linked, and the steps you can take to lessen the risk of both.

Based on some research, the link is there, but can go both ways. Low testosterone can cause sleep disturbances, and sleep disturbances can cause low testosterone. This in turn creates a vicious cycle that never stops, unless you treat one or the other.

 

What Research Shows About Sleep Deprivation and Low T

Studies have been reported that gradual decrease in sleep time is partially responsible for low T in older men. Another disturbance called sleep apnea – a chronic breathing disturbance that occurs during sleep – is also linked to low T.

In a JAMA study, men volunteered to have their testosterone levels checked with restrictions on duration of sleep over a course of eight nights. The study found that daytime testosterone levels dropped 10-15 percent from only five hours of sleep per night. There was also a progressive loss of energy over the week.

 

Why Is There a Link Between Loss of Sleep and Low Testosterone?

Normal testosterone production requires full body rest and undisturbed sleep – our body does the repairs in REM sleep. Over time, sleep disturbances can cause increase in the stress hormone called cortisone, which can cause low testosterone.

Our body replenishes the majority of testosterones that are used during the day. Gradual reduction in sleep is closely correlated with low testosterone, so be sure to get a lot of sleep! That is especially crucial in old men.

 

Tips for Better Sleep

Normally, adults should get seven to 9 hours of sleep every evening. There might be nights where you work late, or other situations prevent you from a healthy amount of sleep – that is okay! It is the back to back nights that average five to six hours that can take a toll on our testosterone levels.

• Established a routine. Go to sleep and wake up simultaneously, each day, including weekends.
• Avoid bedroom distractions, like consuming, watching Television, and browsing your personal computer.
• Keep your bedroom tranquil, dark, and at a comfortable temperature.

Should you have symptoms like low energy or low libido, get in touch with Dr. Ben Evans for the chance of low testosterone. Don’t wait one minute longer and risk reduced T levels in old age!

Steps to Avoid Knee Pain in Later Years

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Knee pain cannot be prevented in old age – however, it comes down to the actions taken to reduce the risk of it. By reducing the risk for the give most common causes and factors, prevention of knee pain is a large possibility.

The Common Risk Factors of Knee Pain

One of the largest risk factor of knee pain is age. A variety of conditions can lead to knee pain as your age increases. The easiest method to prevent knee pain at an old age is to avoid the risk factors when you are more youthful. Below, we explore six of the most important factors that contribute to knee pain. These factors can be managed to reduce pain in the future.

Extra Weight

Being overweight may be the largest risk aspect for knee discomfort. The knee works with the weight of your body, and an excessive amount of damages the joints and enhance odds of pain. Because weight problems can stress the framework of the knee, deterioration and harm the knee as time passes.

Muscle Weakness

The knee connects to the thighbone and shinbone. Having solid quadriceps help stabilize the knee joints. If the muscles is weaker, compared to the strength between your quadriceps and knee joints are significantly less. Developing the proper muscles can help drive back these serious knee accidents.

Inactivity

One of the primary factors to muscles weakness and carrying excess fat is inactivity. Those who are less energetic are less solid and less versatile. When it’s time to allow them to exercise, there exists a greater risk of injury.

Not Resting

Injured people who do not adequately rest will increase their risk of re-injury. Recovery periods can last anywhere from several weeks to several months. This is a must to allow our body to repair itself and heal.

Smoking

Smoking is proven to increase the risk of health problems, and knee pain can be added to that list. There is an elevated risk for loss of cartilage and joint muscle tissue. This will influence the risk of weak knees, which can lead to chronic knee pain.

Overuse and Injuries

Many knee injuries result from overuse – much like the common “runner’s knee”. Large energy sports may lead to swelling. If not treated and taken care of, higher risk of knee pain will be foreseeable in the future.

Taking the necessary steps to reduce the risk of knee pain later on in life is very important. In case you have additional questions or issues about your current knee pain, or future risk of it, Dr. Ben Evans might help with treatment and required steps to avoid it.