Things to avoid doing before your next doctor's appointment

Here are eight things that should be on your check-list before heading in to your doctor's office!

As compiled from Readers’ Digest, here's how to get the most out of your next visit.

1) Don't drink coffee before a blood pressure test



Your blood pressure will be probably be taken at checkup so avoid coffee right before your appointment: it could affect the results. "Using coffee or other caffeine such as energy drinks or colas within an hour of having your blood pressure measured can make the number artificially higher," says James Dewar, vice chairman of family medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). "The same goes for tobacco products and over-the-counter decongestant medications."

2) Don't eat a high-fat meal before getting blood drawn



You should also skip the fettuccine Alfredo before a blood workup. "If you wouldn't normally have a high-fat meal, then don't do it so your physician can get an accurate picture of your health," says Deepa Iyengar, associate professor of family and community medicine at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth.

Unusually large meals could skew test results. In fact, you may need to avoid eating in general. "If your blood work will include a measurement of cholesterol or other fats, it is best to avoid any calories for eight to 10 hours before the test is drawn," says Dr Dewar.

3) Don't take cold medicine before a sick visit



When you're sick, your doctor may want to evaluate your symptoms without the effects of any over-the-counter medications. "Some medications may raise blood pressure and your physician would not know if the medication or the illness could be the cause,” adds Dr Dewar.

If you're really hurting, it's probably okay to go ahead — your doctor wants you to feel better. Just be ready to describe your symptoms. And definitely tell the doctor what you've taken.

4) Don't get a mani-pedi before the dermatologist



Dermatologists look at your whole body, including your nails, so keep them polish-free. "Avoid wearing nail polish or acrylic nails," says Sarina Elmariah, a dermatologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Subtle clues in your nails can indicate bigger health problems, like anemia, diabetes and even heart ailments. Plus, bare nails make it easy to spot fungus.

Also, skip the cover-up and eye shadow, so your doctor can easily spot facial skin problems.

5) Don't have caffeine before stress tests



A stress test works your heart (by walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike) to see how it reacts and to ensure that it's healthy. But if you're having a stress test that involves pharmacological agents - “Don't have caffeine beforehand as it counteracts the adenosine or regadenosine which are used to simulate stress in the test," says Dr Jun Sup Lee, chief of cardiology at UPMC.

6) Don't get too thirsty before a urine test



"Avoid episodes of major dehydration that can significantly alter a urinalysis," Benjamin Davies, chief of urology at the UPMC Shadyside/Hillman Cancer Center, explains. "And avoid exercise that's not in your normal daily routine." If you exercise regularly, you probably know how your body will react and how to take care of it afterward. If you're not used to it, you're more likely to get dehydrated.

7) Don't use deodorant before a mammogram



As if mammograms weren't nerve-wracking enough, you can't even protect against sweating! "Mammography advises women to skip deodorant/antiperspirant or powders on the day," Dr Elizabeth Roth, ob-gyn at Massachusetts General Hospital, says. "The reason is that many deodorants and powders contain aluminum, which on mammography looks similar to breast calcification and could be read as a false positive."

8) Don't eat red food before a colonoscopy



Red or purple food can colour your colon. Even ice lollies are a no-no. "We ask that these are not purple or red because they will mask the lining of the colon and could then affect the outcome of the study," says Randall Brand, a gastroenterologist at UPMC.

Interestingly, iron supplements can have the same effect. And they can have some other not-so-pleasant consequences. "Iron can also stain the walls of the colon, again having an effect on a successful study," Dr Brand says. "In addition, iron, for many people, can be constipating and may make it difficult for the pre-colonoscopy laxatives to completely clean out the colon for a successful study."

Other things that can be hard to clean out are high-fiber foods like raw fruits and vegetables, corn, and beans.

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