Your doctor’s diagnosis would only be as good as how you cooperate with him/her. If you’ve been watching a lot of House, you’ve probably heard of that line “Everybody lies.” One of the least things you can do is to be honest. Being an prepared and informed patient would definitely help everyone - you and your doctor. In any case, it’s you who needs to be well, anyway.

You have to be prepared before going to the doctor. Make a comprehensive list of your symptoms and triggers. If you have any pains or sensations, be sure to note the areas where you feel them and the approximate sensation.

Be as specific as possible. Saying that you have a headache is quite general. Try something like “I have a throbbing pain over my eyes after a day’s work.” You describe the kind of pain, the location and triggers or times when you feel it.

Most people do not ask their doctors questions. Feel free to ask the doc any inquiry you have about your illness. You should be made fully aware of the nature of your illness, the diagnosis and the treatment. Clarify if you need to. Most people tend to just shut up when the doctor starts to wrap up the session.

When the doctor is running you through your treatment steps, pay attention. Make sure that you jot down the instructions - what pills to take, when to take them (whether it’s before or after meals), how many, things you shouldn’t do after taking them.

If you feel worse or if you feel, make sure to follow it up with your doctor. This would further help them diagnose your illness. There are a lot of illnesses that share common symptoms. If the initial treatment isn’t working then it’s probably another illness.

By being fully aware of your condition, you would be able to monitor your own progress towards health.