There are over 135 specialties and subspecialties for health treatments around the country. While there is no single blanket approach to things to avoid before a doctor’s visit, there are certain things one must keep in mind to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Regardless of which doctor you are paying a visit to, remember to avoid these five mistakes before your next doctor’s appointment, as they can impede the diagnosis process:

4 things to avoid before a doctor’s appointment
While it is understandable to get nervous before a doctor’s appointment, following some basic guidelines can help patients have a smooth examination or test. Given below are some things to avoid before a doctor’s appointment:

Eating a high-fat meal
Eating a meal rich in cholesterol and sugar just before a test could cause blood sugar spikes, reporting abnormalities in your blood work. This could lead to a skewed diagnosis. Experts recommend avoiding any high-fat foods for at least 8-10 hours before getting your blood drawn. You may also be advised to fast for 8 hours before certain tests such as blood glucose, liver function, cholesterol, triglyceride, renal function panel, etc. It is recommended to ask your doctor about adequate water intake during this fasting period too.

Becoming dehydrated
Drinking water before visiting the doctor for a checkup is recommended in most cases. Health experts say your pulse and blood pressure will be at their finest when properly hydrated. However, mild dehydration can cause artificial abnormalities in the testing that can confuse the results if you are having blood or urine testing done.

Eating excessively salty food
While some people eat sweets like chocolate when anxious, others desire comfort foods like potato chips. However, salty treats are not a good plan if your doctor is helping you manage your hypertension. High blood pressure, or hypertension, has been linked to severe health issues like heart attacks and strokes. When you consume salty foods, your blood pressure rises. Therefore, you risk artificially raising your blood pressure just before a doctor’s visit if you eat potato chips, canned soups, or foods coated in sauces.

Self-diagnosing or treating symptoms
Avoid following self-treatment plans before paying a visit to your doctor. Visit the doctor to discuss your symptoms and obtain a formal diagnosis and treatment plan. Following certain home remedies may be beneficial for common conditions such as colds or fevers but must be avoided before a doctor’s appointment. In addition, the suppression of symptoms can get in the way of a proper diagnosis and delay the treatment process. 

Further tips to note
To conclude, you might feel anxious about visiting the doctor’s clinic and wonder what to avoid before a doctor’s appointment. Hence, it is vital to make a list of points you would like clarity on and want to be discussed during the examination. Following the set of dos and don’ts can always help you with proper diagnoses and avoid facing unwanted health risks. As famously said, prevention is better than cure; make sure you put 100% on your side before visiting a doctor’s clinic to seek help.