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5 things your family doctor wishes you would do

These simple, expert-approved health tips could save your life.

Updated on March 26, 2024

female doctor with patient
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Your general practitioner's (GPs) office is your healthcare home base. Your GP has probably stood by you through everything from worrisome new symptoms, to medication changes, to hospital stays and more. It’s their job to keep track of all your conditions and every part of your body. That means they stay pretty busy, but there are some things you can do toShow More

happy woman pulling healthy dinner from oven
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Think outside of the pill bottle

“If more people took responsibility for eating healthy and exercising, there would be some very happy providers,” says Dr. Miller.

Remember: Not every cure comes in a bottle. Many health problems like prediabetes or high blood pressure can be dramatically improved or even reversed through healthyShow More

man looking at phone
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Make an action plan

Your everyday routine is reflected in your physical and emotional health. “People need to connect how they feel with what they eat, how they exercise and what they do,” says Dr. Miller.

For example, if your doctor explains that 20 minutes after your last cigarette, your heart rate and bloodShow More

writing down in journal
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Keep a health notebook

Your GP organizes your overall care plan, which can involve a lot of moving pieces. Each one of your medical conditions may have its own specialized doctor—and those doctors might each prescribe different tests or medicines.

“Keeping a list of your meds and doses, having a short list of your healthShow More

woman holding medication bottle
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Don’t stop medications on your own

Medication side effects and steep prices might tempt you to cut pills in half or stop taking them all together. But messing with your medication schedule or stopping drugs "cold turkey" comes with serious potential risks like:

  • Dangerous changes to your heart rate or blood pressure from stopping
  • Show More
smiling doctor with patient
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Ask for advice about any and everything

Don’t only talk to your GP when your symptoms are acting up or you’re having a medical crisis. Think of them as your ally and resource when it comes to wellness and disease prevention too.

“Communication, honesty and a willingness to live better are extremely important when it comes to good healthShow More

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