Conflicts in Healthcare: Who's the Expert on My Body, and What Are They Telling Me to Do?
Posted: Monday, June 01, 2009
by Danny Davids
I was in the waiting room at my doctor's office this morning, leafing through a health magazine while waiting to be called for my appointment. I breezed over several articles before one caught my eye. It discussed the growing concern among healthcare providers and physicians that people are making fewer trips to the doctor's office because of an increase in self-diagnosis. One side of the story is the Internet, with its wealth of medical and personal health sites of all types. Another is the number of medications, previously available only by prescription, that now can be purchased over the counter. Finally, our current economic situation encourages people to spend less money on healthcare and spend more time trying to fix their health problems themselves. The recommendation in the article is that if a particular symptom lasts more than a few days, it's time to go to a professional for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Makes sense, I thought to myself as I continued flipping through the magazine.
A few pages later I stumbled upon a section containing "quizzes" designed to inform the reader of potential health concerns ranging from diabetes to sleep deprivation. I started answering some of the questions...and then it hit me. Um, isn't answering these questions and scoring myself for the likelihood I might have the particular health issue like, um, self-diagnosis? And shouldn't the doctor be doing this instead of me? What was the editor thinking when he let these quizzes into the issue? "Don't try figuring out what's wrong with you, let the doctor do that, oh and be sure to take these tests so you can decide if you're at risk for any of the health issues addressed in the questionnaires!" Talk about hypocricy!
I'd already started one of the tests and didn't want to feel I'd wasted all that time for nothing, so I decided to finish up (it was a test on sleep deprivation). One of the questions asked if I drank anything after 8 pm, and I answered "yes". Turns out that's a bad thing if you're trying to sleep, as imbibing liquids late in the evening can cause you to have to wake during the night to urinate. That's bad if you're trying to get some sleep. However, it's good if you're trying to prevent certain types of cancer. An article I read last week says that getting up in the middle of the night to urinate can reduce the risks of getting bladder cancer. So now I have to decide if I'd rather sleep better and get bladder cancer, or avoid bladder cancer and be more tired during the day. Can I toss a coin on that one? Or is that also considered self-diagnosis, choosing between the lesser of two evils when it comes to my health? Am I smart enough to make that kind of decision, or do I need an expert to tell me what portions of my life are more important, and which ones I can let slide? And does it make any difference in the long run, since either way my body is going to lose out? What bozo rigged this crap game and made me bet my body, my health, and my longevity? This is so totally not fair! I never even asked to play!!
Fortunately for me, before my head could explode trying to iron out all the conflicting messages this healthcare magazine was feeding me, the nurse called my name for my appointment. I tossed the magazine on the chair next to me, thinking I'd let the next poor patient deal with it. Thank goodness my concern and irritation didn't affect my blood pressure, or I'd have been on more medication (my choice, or my doctor's?).
I'd already started one of the tests and didn't want to feel I'd wasted all that time for nothing, so I decided to finish up (it was a test on sleep deprivation). One of the questions asked if I drank anything after 8 pm, and I answered "yes". Turns out that's a bad thing if you're trying to sleep, as imbibing liquids late in the evening can cause you to have to wake during the night to urinate. That's bad if you're trying to get some sleep. However, it's good if you're trying to prevent certain types of cancer. An article I read last week says that getting up in the middle of the night to urinate can reduce the risks of getting bladder cancer. So now I have to decide if I'd rather sleep better and get bladder cancer, or avoid bladder cancer and be more tired during the day. Can I toss a coin on that one? Or is that also considered self-diagnosis, choosing between the lesser of two evils when it comes to my health? Am I smart enough to make that kind of decision, or do I need an expert to tell me what portions of my life are more important, and which ones I can let slide? And does it make any difference in the long run, since either way my body is going to lose out? What bozo rigged this crap game and made me bet my body, my health, and my longevity? This is so totally not fair! I never even asked to play!!
Fortunately for me, before my head could explode trying to iron out all the conflicting messages this healthcare magazine was feeding me, the nurse called my name for my appointment. I tossed the magazine on the chair next to me, thinking I'd let the next poor patient deal with it. Thank goodness my concern and irritation didn't affect my blood pressure, or I'd have been on more medication (my choice, or my doctor's?).
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Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)Great article, Danny.It would be a wonderful world if simply going to the doctor was enough to take care of a health issue. I once had a sharp pain that made me worry I had an impending appendiditis attack coming, so I went to the doctor. He sent me to get a ct with contrast- ounce and ounces of barium. Appendix fine, left kidney atrophied, wrong side to be the cause of the pain. Phrenologist said nothing can be done until it causes a problem.Original doctor wanted me to see GI specialist, made appt., I didn't go. I figured out I was drinking too many diet cokes, pain went away.What can you do but try to look out for yourself more? I am of the mindset that seeing a doctor carries a 100% chance of costing serious cash, and a 20 to 30% chance of making any medical progress.I just want somebody to make up his/her mind and give me a definitive answer on what to do. Instead I get a bunch of waffling, which always seems to cost me more. Darn! :P
Hi Danny.Great article indeed. I've always believed that ultimately, we are our first defense against illness and that we know our bodies better than any other person, well-trained and educated physician or not, ever can.The conflicting advice that we find just about everywhere can be a real source of stress. I just give it my best, try to stay informed and do what feels right and works best for me.Personally, I drink water right up to the time I get into bed. I get up once during the night to urinate and go right back to sleep. I realize not everyone can, but I don't really see that as a problem. So go ahead and do your bladder a favor. :)Well done, really enjoyed it,DianneDiane, I must confess I wondered if I could train myself to "go" while asleep and wear either a Baggie or a really, really, REALLY absorbent Depends...! :)
hi danny,i was having symptoms of lethargy and depression, so i decided to look up a couple of medications i took, and sure enough, they cause these symptoms.i was on one medication that said it could cause damage to my already damaged thyroid, so i told the doc, he took a blood test, and now i am on medication to balance the medication! my son doesn't feel well today, and because i don't have a car right now, i can't get him to the doctor. luckily, i have over the counter drugs that will help.thanks for sharing an interesting article,best regards,sueSue, I have my wife to thank for researching all this medication and what it does/does not do. Wonder where she gets that research urge from...?!
I am bad for waiting a week or more before calling a doctor. Then when I finally call, I get an appointment for two weeks later. By the time I actually get to the appointment, I'm pretty much over whatever I had and am at a loss for words when the Dr. says "What can I do for you?" Internet advice might save me time, but it's very easy to misdiagnose yourself. :)Brianna, I'd have liked to see some stats about the frequency with which people visit their doctor based on having health insurance or not. I honestly think that makes a big difference.
Danny, I'm one without insurance and I have been sick for a few weeks. I finally got up enough cash, just short of $100.00 to go to see the doctor. He said you have a virus, take plenty of fluids, rest and try some over the counter brand medicine. I left with that medicine and close to $50.00 for two of them. Now here a week later and feeling worse I go back to him and he says the same thing and offers two other over the counter medicines. The moral, I could have done the same thing and saved that money. Yes, I know know I only had a virus and it could have been worse yet my body is aching, my cough worse, my chest clogged and my head aching. So I say the hell with him, I use the old fashion saline, vicks and gargle and today, well not quite well but feeling better. I think not seeing a doctor has more to do with money and the fact that many doctors no longer perscribe. Yes and no insurance, please go somewhere else next time. Best wishes.Robert, I'll agree that the insurance companies and how much they do (or do not) pay have contributed to the problem. Ditto for the lobbyist groups that influence government to benefit their causes and companies to the detriment of the health consumer. As has been stated previously, sometimes we're better off listening to our own bodies and doing what actually works.
Hi Danny,I've been having these headaches lately, mostly in the early morning but occasionally in the late afternoons too. Do you think it could be something serious? What would you suggest I take?Oh, sorry, you probably need more information to help diagnose me.Hmmm....let's see, what's pertinent? I've been getting decent sleep, heck I pretty much pass out and don't wake for 10 to 12 hours most nights. I drink plenty of fluids and like you, I have no issues urinating. I do spend a number of hours on the internet each day but that's mostly recreational (you know what I mean).Oh wait, I just realized there's another symptom I left out, I've had some issues with my memory, probably why I didn't remember it until just now. Oh yeah and I drink like a fish.Any ideas, I'm at a complete loss?Cheers,Ben.Ben, I'm not positive, but I'd recommend taking two Web site searches for your symptoms (I'd post them here but I could probably get sued) and call me in the morning. Oh, and I'm enclosing my bill.
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