A healthcare provider is specially trained to work with patients on all aspects of their health. From general checkups to aiding with more serious medical conditions, their expertise can help you live your healthiest life.
Why Should I Talk to My Healthcare Provider about My Weight?
Your weight matters for your health. More specifically, your weight affects many different aspects of your health, including these systems in the body:
- Neurological – Headaches, stroke, dementia, etc.
- Respiratory – Asthma, Sleep Apnea, etc.
- Urological – Diabetic kidney disease, kidney cancer, etc.
- Circulatory – Blood pressure, cholesterol, clots, swelling, poor circulation, etc.
- Musculoskeletal – Arthritis, low back pain, etc.
- Psychological – Depression, anxiety, eating disorders, etc.
- Gastrointestinal – Reflux, gallstones, polyps, colon cancer, etc.
- Pancreas – Diabetes, pancreatic cancer, polyps, etc.
- Nutritional – Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- Reproductive – Prostate and ovarian cancer, infertility, etc.
The medical conditions listed above are only a handful of ways that excess weight can impact our health. While the list may seem scary, it’s important to recognize the role that weight plays in our body’s ability to function daily at its best.
For the same reason, talking to a healthcare provider about your weight can help you improve your overall health. Having the conversation may seem daunting at first, but that’s because there is a taboo attached to the topic of weight in our society. However, this shouldn’t be the case. Just like many factors affect our health, many factors affect our weight. You shouldn’t feel any type of shame, guilt or hesitation about talking to a healthcare provider about your weight in order to live your healthiest life possible.
Preparing to Have the Conversation
Are you ready to talk to a healthcare provider about your weight? Congratulations! You’ve taken the next important step on your weight management journey, and it’s a big one.
So, what’s next? It’s time to schedule an appointment. You’ll want to come prepared before you meet with your healthcare provider, so consider these tips for getting ready to have the conversation:
- Write down your medical symptoms and conditions
- Write down your overall goals for health and wellness
- Research and write down your family history
- Write down any specific questions you may have
You’ll want to bring everything you’ve written down to your first appointment so that you’ll have talking points to discuss with your healthcare provider. This way, if you’re drawing a blank, you’ll have a handy list to keep the appointment on-track!
After your initial appointment, your healthcare provider will talk to your about your health, specific goals and how you can achieve them. You might be scheduled for a follow-up appointment if your healthcare provider wants to stay in touch.
Looking for More Tips on Discussing Weight with Your Healthcare Provider?
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