Heading to the doctor can be tough, even if you're not worried about a major illness. The secret to success when it comes to your health is organization. These tips will help you to manage every visit with ease.

1. Don't leave home without your list of medications and current medical history.
Make sure you arm yourself with your current list of medications and updated medical history.  Actually, keep this list of medications written on a piece of paper and take your completed medical history form and tuck it inside your wallet or purse. This info isn’t only important at your doctor’s visit, but just in case you ever need to be taken to the ER, you’ll have this critical info. It’s really crucial to have this info with you at your doctor’s visit simply because the info your doctor may have may not be 100% updated. What if you were treated at another doctor for ailment?  Perhaps you met with an allergist, a cardiologist, or an endocrinologist (only to name a few specialties,) chances are that your primary doctor or health care provider doesn’t have all this information. So bring your current list of medications and medical history with you.  You can’t go wrong.

2. Don’t waste precious time chit-chatting about the weather, kids, and the stock market.
Although breaking the ice is always a good idea to
get you into your comfort zone, be careful about focusing on other issues instead of your main reason for seeing your doctor. Breaking the ice is not a bad thing; just do it in 60 seconds or less, since the average time a doc spends with patients is 15 minutes. Focus on you! 

3. Don't forget your notebook.
Before your appointment write down any questions you may have because chances are that you may not remember them while sitting in a cold exam room. Jot down any info that your doctor or health care professional tells you because once you leave that office; you may not remember everything, so just write it down.

4. Don’t sit quietly without asking questions.
It's really important that you take charge of your health. You need to be your own patient advocate.  You need to be knowledgeable about your health and ask questions. Ask questions about your diagnosis, medications, tests, and follow-ups.  Be in charge and know what's going on.  Ask for a copy of your test results.

5. Don’t ignore your doctor’s advice.
Your doctor or health care professionals are there to help you achieve optimum health. It’s really important that you speak up and ask questions, and be honest about your health. If your doctor is providing you with suggestions and advice to better your health and you don’t understand something let her or him know. It’s important that you work together.