From Valleynewslive · · 1m 10s
Aging doesn't have to hurt
How to advocate for your health when doctors dismiss your symptoms as 'just aging'.
In brief
How to advocate for your health when doctors dismiss your symptoms as 'just aging'. Patients can push for proper care by demanding explanations, sharing medical data, and switching doctors when symptoms are dismissed as normal aging. Originally reported by Valleynewslive.
Normal aging doesn’t mean you have to hurt
Patients are often told their symptoms are part of aging, but this explanation shouldn’t end the conversation.
“Normal aging doesn’t have to hurt. Normal aging doesn’t have to be unhealthy.”
Women face more dismissal
Women commonly have symptoms dismissed as anxiety or 'all in your head' by doctors.
“It’s a lot of times more common. Commonly happens to women.”
Build a doctor partnership
Treating your doctor relationship as a two-way commitment helps you be heard and valued.
“Get someone that you’re comfortable with. Remember, your medical commitment to the physician, and vice versa, it’s a partnership.”
Persistent cough case
A husband’s persistent cough was traced to blood pressure medication after multiple ENT visits.
“We went to ENT after ENT after ENT. Finally, we switched doctors again to a primary care doctor.”
Show your medical data
Sharing written medical information helps doctors diagnose you properly.
“If you say to your doctor, ‘I believe that you can help me, I know that you have the skills to help me,’ and then you give them data, that’s what I like people to do.”
Second opinion when needed
When one doctor can’t help, seek a second opinion to find the right diagnosis.
“If you have exhausted all things like that with them and you don’t get anywhere, it’s called second opinion.”
Don’t accept dismissive answers
Demanding explanations when symptoms are dismissed as depression can lead to proper diagnosis.
“I kept being told, well, you’re depressed. You’re depressed. I said, no. Depression is the bottom of the barrel.”
At a glance
Patients can push for proper care by demanding explanations, sharing medical data, and switching doctors when symptoms are dismissed as normal aging.
