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10 questions for each of 3 major diseases Added ›02/01/2011 10:43:25 AM
dwelty



AHAF eNEws: Fighting Age-Related Diseases

Take Charge of Your Healthcare: 10 Essential Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Doctor and PatientBe proactive in managing your healthcare by having an open conversation with your doctor. Write down your questions ahead of time and don't leave the office without understanding the recommendations for your condition, your doctor's responsibilities, and your responsibilities. If you think you may have problems recording or remembering the responses to your questions, bring a friend or family member to the appointment. You can also prepare for your visit by reading educational materials on your condition, including publications provided by the American Health Assistance Foundation (www.ahaf.org).

Take along these 10 essential questions to ask your doctor, as well as the suggestions for disease-specific questions. Please feel free to choose the ones you feel best fit your situation and, of course, to add your own questions if they're not listed:

 

10 General Questions:

(Download in PDF format)

  1. What do you think is causing my symptoms?

  2. Is there more than one condition (disease) that could be causing my problem?

  3. What tests do I need to confirm a diagnosis? Describe the test(s).

  4. Why do I need this treatment? Are there any alternatives?

  5. Will this treatment interact with medicines that I'm already taking?

  6. I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?

  7. Are there any changes that I can make to my lifestyle that may slow or prevent the progression of this disease, including diet and exercise?

  8. How often should I be seen for follow-up care?

  9. What is the long-term outlook in my case?

  10. Are there clinical trials in this area that could possibly improve my situation? Do you recommend that I participate?

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10 Glaucoma-specific Questions:

(Download in PDF format)

  1. What are the risk factors for glaucoma, and do I have any? 

  2. Exactly what tests are you conducting?  (View a list of these tests.)

  3. What is my current intraocular pressure, and what is my target pressure?

  4. Does my optic nerve already show signs of damage?

  5. What is the best treatment option for my glaucoma, and why?

  6. Am I a candidate for laser treatment or surgery, and if so, what kind?

  7. What kinds of side effects can result from taking glaucoma medications? When should I seek medical attention for those side effects?

  8. Is it safe for me to drive?

  9. Should I be taking any special precautions at home, like modifying my diet or refraining from doing certain types of activities?

  10. Are there any low-vision aids or adaptive devices I can use to help me better use the vision I have?

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10 Macular Degeneration-specific Questions:

(Download in PDF format)

  1. Am I at risk for developing macular degeneration?

  2. What kind of macular degeneration do I have? How advanced is my macular degeneration?

  3. Do I have macular degeneration in one or both eyes? If only one eye, then what are the chances that I will get it in the other eye?

  4. Exactly what tests are you conducting? (View a list of these tests.)

  5. What is the visual acuity in my central vision? Have I already lost any vision?

  6. Are there certain vitamins or minerals I should take?

  7. How can I best monitor the progression of my disease?

  8. Are there any low-vision aids or adaptive devices I can use to help me better use the vision I have?

  9. Could I benefit from an evaluation by a low-vision specialist?  From low-vision therapy?

  10. Is it safe for me to drive?

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10 Alzheimer’s Disease-specific Questions:

(Download in PDF format)

  1. How much experience do you have in diagnosing and treating people with Alzheimer's disease? If you haven't had much experience with Alzheimer's patients, can you recommend a specialist who has?

  2. How can you be sure the problems I'm experiencing are really Alzheimer's and not just part of the normal aging process?

  3. Exactly what tests are you conducting? (View a list of these tests.)

  4. Am I taking any medications that could be making my symptoms worse?

  5. What stage am I in now?

  6. What changes can I expect over time in behavior and mental capabilities? How quickly will these changes occur?

  7. Should coworkers and friends be told about this diagnosis? Do you have any advice about the best approaches to use in discussing Alzheimer's with them?

  8. What's the best place for care: at home or in a nursing facility?

  9. What services and support organizations for Alzheimer's disease are in my area?

  10. What are the chances another family member will get this disease?