What We Lie to Doctors About and Why it Matters

Ladies' Home Journal health director, Julie Bain is here to tell us why those little white lies could have some major consequences.

Audra: When you go to the doctor for check up, do you tell the doctor everything? Well if you’re fudging a little bit because you’re shy, ashamed or you try to look yourself better you could actually be putting that hope at risk. Ladies home journal director Julie Banes, she’s going to tell us why those little white lies could have some major consequences to your health. Good to have you back here! And you did your research, major research on this right? Julie: We talked to a lot of doctors and you know they heard it all and they can tell if you’re fudging the truth you know. So it’s so important to make what doctor calls the no embarrassment zone. Audra: Because they’ve seen it all. Julie: They’ve seen it all and it’s really about helping you and your health so you need to tell them everything. Audra: The first one here is the most popular little white lie, we’re going to through quite a few from the most popular one is when you say “I only have one drink with dinner.” Julie: You know we don’t like to tell the doctor we’re swiveling rather than sipping but here’s the deal, a moderate drinking is good for your heart, good for your brain and it may even help you keep your weight down but moderation is the key. Audra: The doctor really needs to know because certain pain relievers, certain medication. Julie: Or drugs that can interact with alcohol even things like acidametaphine or Tylenol can cause liver damage so you really have to tell the doctor what you are drinking and be honest about it. Audra: The next little white lies are that “I always take my medicine”, are you honest about taking your medicine every single day? You say no. Julie: This is huge. Compliance is very big issue. People stop taking their prescription medicine because for most reasons they may think it’s too expensive, they can’t afford them. They may be feeling better and they think they can stop, they may have a side effect they don’t like or they may just forget but those can be really dangerous. Audra: Now, The doctor typically always asks especially in forms do you smoke. Yes or no and I know some people will say I don’t want the no smoking but this is huge, you really need to be honest. Julie: You have to be honest and social smokers in at one survey like to classify themselves as a non smoker. Really important to tell your doctor even if it’s an occasional puff because even an occasional cigarette really raises your risk for heart disease, stroke, cancer. Audra: And it affects birth control. Julie: And it may affect your ability to birth control pills, might affect your doctors decision. It’s really important they know for your health. Audra: Speaking of birth control another little white lie is people say of course “I use birth control”, a lot of people were lying, every time. Julie: Women over 40 especially tend to skip birth control you they hear so much about it and how hard it is to have a baby after 40 but guess what you still can and we learn that 38 percent of pregnancy is over 40 or unintentional. So you need use a form of birth control, you haven’t had a period for 12 full months which is menopause and guess what you need to use condoms no matter what. It’s the only form that protects against STD. Audra: A lot of doctors would ask you how do you feel, do feel fine, and do feel depressed and then any way a lot of people will say maybe just one day or two but you have to be honest about that. Julie: Women have a tendency to say, everything’s fine. Oh no I’m fine, I’m feeling fine. And you might think your doctor doesn’t care about what your state of mind is, but your doctor does. You know, and depression, feeling blue for a long period of time can signal biological problems like thyroid disease or adrenal disease. But may also signal true clinical depression that, where you can get better with treatment and no one should live with depression. Audra: Bottom line is if we’re honest with the doctor they can help you. Julie: They don’t do that, I’m really fine, it doesn’t hurt or I don’t feel bad. Really think about what your symptoms are and try to describe them as honestly as you can. Women tend to downplay their symptoms. Don’t do that. Audra: Do not do that! Thank you so much, good to have you back and again. if you want to see other ways that your little white lies to the doctor’s office could have some major consequences on your health. Pick up ladies home journal magazine or you can go to their website LHJ.com.